The provisions of paragraph (a)(i) of the Additional U.S. Note 5, Chapter 17 in the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) authorize the Secretary to establish the in-quota tariff-rate quota (TRQ) amounts (expressed in terms of raw value) for imports of raw cane sugar and certain sugars, syrups, and molasses that may be entered under the subheadings of the HTS subject to the lower tier of duties during each fiscal year. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for the allocation of these quantities among supplying countries and areas. Section 359(k) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, requires that at the beginning of the quota year the Secretary of Agriculture establish the TRQs for raw cane sugar and refined sugars at the minimum levels necessary to comply with obligations under international trade agreements, with the exception of specialty sugar.

The Secretary's authority under paragraph (a)(i) of the Additional U.S. Note 5, Chapter 17 in the HTS and Section 359(k) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, has been delegated to the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (7 CFR 2.26). The Under Secretary has subsequently delegated this authority to the Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (7 CFR 2.601).

Notice is hereby given that I have determined, in accordance with paragraph (a)(i) of the Additional U.S. Note 5, Chapter 17 in the HTS and section 359(k) of the 1938 Act, that an aggregate quantity of up to 1,117,195 MTRV of raw cane sugar may be entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during FY 2025. This is the minimum amount to which the United States is committed under the WTO Uruguay Round Agreements. The conversion factor is 1 metric ton raw value equals 1.10231125 short tons raw value. The Office of the United Trade Representative will allocate these quantities among supplying countries and customs areas.

I have further determined that an aggregate quantity of 232,000 MTRV of sugars, syrups, and molasses (refined sugar) may be entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during FY 2025. This quantity includes the minimum amount to which the United States is committed under the WTO Uruguay Round Agreements, 22,000 MTRV, of which 20,344 MTRV is established for any sugars, syrups and molasses, and 1,656 MTRV is reserved for specialty sugar. An additional amount of 210,000 MTRV is added to the specialty sugar TRQ for a total of 211,656 MTRV.

Because the specialty sugar TRQ is first-come, first-served, tranches are needed to allow for orderly marketing throughout the year. The FY 2025 specialty sugar TRQ will be opened in five tranches. The first tranche, totaling 1,656 MTRV, will open October 1, 2024. All specialty sugars are eligible for entry under this tranche. The second tranche of 75,000 MTRV will open on October 8, 2024. The third tranche of 45,000 MTRV will open on January 21, 2025. The fourth tranche of 45,000 MTRV will open on April 14, 2025. The fifth tranche of 45,000 MTRV will open on July 14, 2025. The second, third, fourth, and fifth tranches will be reserved for organic sugar and other specialty sugars not currently produced commercially in the United States or reasonably available from domestic sources.

The GMUG National Forests comprise the largest national forest unit in the Rocky Mountain Region. It spans five ranger districts and covers approximately 3.2 million acres across eight counties in southwestern Colorado, stretching from the Uncompahgre Plateau on the west, north to the Grand Mesa, east to the Continental Divide, and south to the San Juan mountains. The GMUG National Forests range in elevation from 5,000 to over 14,000 feet and support diverse ecosystems and uses. The GMUG National Forests contain habitats essential for a wide variety of species and serve as a critical headwater of the Colorado River. The GMUG National Forests also provide opportunities for recreation, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, and mineral development that contribute to the quality of life and economies of the surrounding communities.

The Revised LMP was shaped by the best available scientific information, current laws, and public, governmental, and tribal input. It was developed pursuant to the 2012 Forest Service Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) and will replace the current LMP, which was significantly amended in 1991 following its 1983 release. The Revised LMP includes desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, management approaches, management area allocations, and land suitability for project and activity decision-making, which will guide resource management activities on the GMUG National Forests. It also includes wilderness recommendations, and identifies eligible wild and scenic river segments.

The GMUG National Forests initiated LMP revision in 2017 and engaged with the public and tribal, federal, state, and local governments. The Forests consulted with 20 federally recognized tribes during the planning process, ensuring tribal-related plan direction accurately reflects the GMUG National Forests' trust responsibilities and government-to-government relationship with tribes. Between 2017 and 2021, the GMUG National Forests conducted eight formal public comment and informal public feedback periods. The Forests received and analyzed more than 20,000 public comments. More than 900 people attended 16 in-person and five virtual public open houses, 16 webinars, and several virtual question-and-answer sessions.

A 90-day public comment period on the draft LMP and associated draft EIS was initiated on August 13, 2021, and subsequently extended 14 days. The Forests used these comments to inform and refine the preferred alternative and Revised LMP. A draft ROD, Revised LMP, and FEIS were released on August 30, 2023, initiating a 60-day objection filing period that closed October 30, 2023. The Forest Service received 70 eligible objections, including 14 objections for species of conservation concern. The Reviewing Officers held objection resolution meetings with objectors and interested persons in February 2024. Based on these meetings and a review of the objections, the Reviewing Officer for the list of species of conservation concern issued a written response to objectors on April 11, 2024. The Reviewing Officer for the forest plan issued a written response to objectors on May 16, 2024. The instructions from the Reviewing Officers were addressed in the ROD, Revised LMP, and FEIS.

The following entities have participated in the planning process as cooperating agencies: Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Agricultural Research Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Colorado Department of Agriculture; Colorado Department of Natural Resources; Colorado Parks and Wildlife; Colorado Water Conservation Board; and the following local governments in Colorado—Delta County; Gunnison County; Hinsdale County; Mesa County; Montrose County; Ouray County; Saguache County; San Miguel County; City of Grand Junction; and Town of Crested Butte.

The Responsible Official for approving the Revised LMP is Chad Stewart, Forest Supervisor, GMUG National Forests. The Responsible Official for approving the list of species of conservation concern is Scott Fitzwilliams, acting Deputy Regional Forester as delegated by Frank Beum, Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region.

In the Federal Register of June 10, 2024, in FR Doc. 2024-12662, at 89 FR 48868, in the first, column, correct under the DATES caption to read:

Written and Oral Comments: Anyone wishing to provide in-person oral comments must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. PDT on June 17, 2024. Written public comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. PDT on June 17, 2024. Comments submitted after this date will be provided by the Forest Service to the committee, but the committee may not have adequate time to consider those comments prior to the meeting.

All committee meetings are subject to cancellation. For status of the meeting prior to attendance, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

The primary purpose of the watershed plan is to provide flood prevention for both communities and agricultural lands in the Elm Creek and Turkey Creek Watersheds located in the jurisdiction of the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) across Dawson and Buffalo Counties in Nebraska. The watershed is primarily used for agriculture, with 47 percent allocated to pasture and 42 percent to row crops. Agriculture sales in Buffalo and Dawson Counties accounted for approximately 5 percent of Nebraska's total of $29.4 billion in 2022. Watershed planning is authorized under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (Pub. L. 83-566), as amended, and the Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534).

The project is essential to create and protect wildlife habitats, contributing to biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. By effectively managing water resources, CPNRD plays a crucial role in reducing flood risks and safeguarding lives and property. The requirements of CPNRD for watershed projects include: having the power of eminent domain, obtaining necessary permits and licenses, alternative financing, securing land treatment agreements above reservoirs, encouraging public participation, demonstrating financial commitment, implementing watershed management features, and ensuring acceptable municipal and industrial water supply standards. These authorities collectively contribute to effective watershed management and sustainable resource use.

This action is needed because areas of the Elm Creek and Turkey Creek Watersheds are repeatedly subject to damaging overland and flash flooding, including recent extensive flooding in 2019. The flood caused significant damage to properties and infrastructure, with estimated losses exceeding $35 million in the Kearney area.

As a result of the new information obtained during the development of an environmental assessment, the level of analysis is more extensive than anticipated during the scoping held in 2021. The proposed action includes work to widen a stream channel to increase capacity where significant wildlife habitat exists. In accordance with 7 CFR 650.7(a)(1), an EIS is required.

The EIS objective is to formulate and evaluate alternatives for the purpose of reducing flood risk and damages to the community of Kearney, and the Elm Creek and Turkey Creek Watershed project area. The EIS is expected to evaluate two alternatives: one action alternative and one no action alternative. The alternatives that may be considered for detailed analysis include:

• Alternative 1—No Action Alternative: Taking no action would consist of activities conducted if no federal action or funding were provided. If the No Action Alternative is selected, there would be no implementation of any flood damage reduction measures, and flood damages to communities and agricultural lands would continue. The conditions of this alternative were used as the baseline to evaluate the effectiveness of the other alternatives in reducing flooding damages. No federal action or funding would be associated with the No Action Alternative.

• Alternative 2—Proposed Action—Diversion Channels. This alternative involves creating diversion channels to redirect floodwaters away from Turkey Creek and toward the Platte River. Various potential locations for these diversion channels were explored across the watershed. Based on flood modeling, it was determined that one or more diversion channels could effectively mitigate flooding in Kearney and protect the surrounding agricultural areas. The public and landowners in the watershed also expressed support for this diversion channel approach.

The proposed action includes widening a stream channel within critical habitat of the whooping crane. Per 7 CFR 650.7(a)(1), an EIS is required for projects that include stream channel realignment or work to modify channel capacity by deepening or widening where significant aquatic or wildlife habitat exists. The NRCS Nebraska State Conservationist, has determined that the preparation of an EIS is required for this watershed project. The EIS will be prepared as required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and NRCS regulations that implement NEPA in 7 CFR part 650.

Resource concerns for scoping were identified and categorized as relevant or not relevant to the proposed action. CPNRD and NRCS evaluated the current conditions of the Elm Creek and Turkey Creek watersheds, which have been repeatedly subjected to flooding problems. The limited capacity of the channels is intensified by overflows from the Kearney Canal entering Turkey Creek, adding further stress to the waterways. The flat topography has led to frequent overland flooding from both Elm and Turkey Creeks, resulting in repetitive flood damaged areas outside and within the Village of Elm Creek and within the City of Kearney and surrounding areas along with relevant resource concerns for each proposed solution. Environmental resources in the project area consist of the natural and human-made environment. Resource concerns to be identified and addressed in the Watershed Plan-EIS include critical habitat for the endangered Whooping Crane ( Grus americana ), includes restored and federally protected roosting, foraging, and wetland habitats along the Platte River bottom. Tableland and the watershed falls into Biologically Unique Landscape, due to its potential for improved soil health, agricultural productivity, increased wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and reduced erosion and land loss indicating its unique ecological features. The EIS will guide decision-making to ensure sustainable and responsible use of the watershed, to protect the Whooping Crane, other wildlife, and the unique ecological features of the area.

The following permits and authorizations are anticipated to be required:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency, Floodplain Development permit. Implementation of the proposed action would require coordination with the local floodplain administrator and may require a Floodplain Development Permit to ensure all development and engineering requirements for construction within the Special Flood Hazard Areas are implemented.

• Clean Water Act (CWA) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The project would require water quality certification under section 401 of the CWA, permitting under section 402 of the NPDES, and section 404 of the CWA for potential wetland impacts.

• National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106. Consultation with Tribal Nations and interested parties would be conducted as required by the NHPA.

• Nationwide Permit 43 (Stormwater Management Facilities) was identified as an appropriate permitting mechanism for this project.

• Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Dam Safety Section to review and approve applicable final engineering plans and provide a construction permit prior to construction, if necessary.

• Solid waste management and compliance, per the Nebraska Department of Energy and Environment regulations in Nebraska title 128 and title 132, must be followed during construction.

A Draft EIS (DEIS) will be prepared and circulated for review and comment by agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and the public for 45 days as required by the regulations in 40 CFR 1503.1, 1502.20, 1506.11, and 1502.17, and 7 CFR 650.13. The DEIS is anticipated to be published in the Federal Register , approximately 6 months after publication of this NOI. A Final EIS is anticipated to be published within 5 months of completion of the public comment period for the DEIS.

NRCS will decide whether to implement one of the action alternatives as evaluated in the EIS. A Record of Decision will be completed after the required 30-day waiting period and will be publicly available. The responsible Federal official and decision maker for NRCS is the Nebraska NRCS State Conservationist.

A public scoping meeting was held on February 23, 2021. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who commented, were part of the public record. Scoping meeting presentation materials were available for review and comment for 30 days from February 23, 2021, through March 25, 2021. The date, time, and location for a second meeting will be announced on the project website.

Federal, State, Tribal, local agencies and representatives, and the public were invited to take part in the watershed plan scoping period. CPNRD and NRCS organized the public scoping meeting to provide an opportunity to review and evaluate the project alternatives, express concern, or support, and gain further information regarding the project. To determine the most viable alternatives for the EIS, CPNRD used input obtained during public scoping discussions to focus on relevant resource concerns and issues and eliminated those that were not relevant from further detailed study.

NRCS will coordinate the scoping process to correspond with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as allowed in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) and 800.8.

NRCS invites agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or interest in the Elm and Turkey Creeks watersheds to provide written comments concerning the scope of the analysis and identification of potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action.

The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed project will assist NRCS in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context of both NEPA and NHPA.

NRCS will consult with applicable Native American tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with the regulations in 36 CFR 800.2 and 800.3, Executive Order 13175, and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources and historic properties, will be given due consideration.

This document is published as specified by the NEPA regulations regarding publication of an NOI to issue an EIS (40 CFR 1501.9(d)). Watershed planning is authorized under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as amended and the Flood Control Act of 1944.

The title and number of the Federal Assistance Program as found in the Assistance Listing  1 to which this document applies is 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention.

Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” requires consultation with State and local officials that would be directly affected by proposed Federal financial assistance. The objectives of the Executive order are to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism, by relying on State and local processes for State and local government coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. This project is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Individuals who require alternative means of communication for program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and telephone) or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text telephone users can initiate this call from any phone). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

The primary purpose for the EIS is to protect the Lower Bear River Watershed in Box Elder County, Utah by providing management options to secure the agricultural water supply, developing secondary water systems for growing communities with limited water resources, reducing potential for flood damage in previously flooded areas, and enhancing recreational opportunities for the community. Watershed planning is authorized under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (Pub. L. 83-566), as amended, and the Flood Control Act of 1944 (Pub. L. 78-534).

This watershed plan is cosponsored by the Bear River Water Conservancy District and the Bear River Canal Company. The proposed action is needed to address deficiencies in the agricultural water delivery system in the area by improving the reliability and efficiency of water delivery. Canal improvements, diversion and headgate automation, and secondary water systems are needed for sustainability and reliability within the watershed.

Floodwater improvements, including piping and trenching to route flows and ponds and control gates to detain and release flows, are needed to reduce damage to farms, homes, roadways, businesses, and industry.

Improvements such as levee construction, sediment removal, delivery system automation, and bank stabilization are needed to reduce flooding, erosion, sediment, and agriculture-related pollution and enhance wetlands and wildlife habitat.

Additionally, trails are needed to enhance recreational opportunities to bike or walk within areas of the watershed.

Estimated federal funds required for the construction of the proposed action may exceed $25 million and the proposed action will, therefore, require congressional approval per the 2018 Agriculture Appropriations Act amended funding threshold. In accordance with the regulation in 7 CFR 650.7(a)(2), an EIS is required for projects requiring congressional approval.

The EIS objective is to formulate and evaluate alternatives for agricultural water management, flood control and prevention, watershed protection, and recreational opportunities in the 249,572 acre Lower Bear River Watershed area. The EIS is expected to evaluate three alternatives: two action alternatives, and one no action alternative. The alternatives that may be considered for detailed analysis include:

• Alternative 1—No Action Alternative: Taking no action would consist of activities conducted if no federal action or funding were provided. If the No Action Alternative is selected, the Hammond Main and West Canals would not be improved. Irrigators would likely have more periods without water to irrigate crops as repairs would be needed to address periodic canal failures. Water shortages would lead to associated crop and related economic losses. Communities within the watershed would need to restrict growth. Property owners would need to plan for periodic flooding of their properties and be prepared for the cleanup and repairs associated with that flooding. Managers of waterfowl habitat areas would need to remove sediment from key water holding areas periodically and would not be able to deliver water where it is needed in areas where levees are failing. The existing structures would continue to operate in their deteriorating condition and would not meet the purpose and need of agricultural water management improvement, flood prevention, watershed protection, or enhancement of recreational opportunities.

• Alternative 2—Proposed Action—Combine Canals Alternative. The proposed action would combine the Bear River Canal Company's Hammond Main Canal into the West Main Canal through the canyon area to reduce the breach risk and improve delivery efficiencies. The West Canal would be improved by installing box culverts through the canyon and would require siphoning water across the Bear River. This alternative would also install automation and telemetry to existing irrigation canal head gates, pipe the Highland Ditch and other canals to improve water delivery near the ends of canals, construct agricultural water equalization ponds, and construct secondary water systems within Tremonton, Elwood, Bear River City, and Garland. Additionally, to address flood concerns, this alternative would install flood control channels and ponds around Tremonton, construct a flood control pond in the Bothwell Pocket, and improve a spillway along the Malad River. To protect the watershed by reducing floodwaters, erosion, and sediment, and improving habitat near the GSL, the proposed action would improve levees, dikes, and banks along waterways near the GSL and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and construct a sediment basin at Salt Creek. This alternative would also construct a recreational trail along the railway and an existing canal alignment through Tremonton to provide recreational opportunities.

• Alternative 3—Reasonable Alternative—Hammond Main and West Main Canal Improvement Alternative. The alternative would enclose the Bear River Canal Company's Hammond Main and West Main Canals through the canyon to reduce the breach risk and improve delivery efficiencies and would not require siphoning water across the Bear River. Besides the Hammond Main and West Main Canal improvements and associated actions, the remainder of agricultural water improvements ( i.e., automation and telemetry installation, Highland Ditch and other canal piping, secondary water systems construction, etc.) and all flood control, watershed protection, and recreation improvements would be the same as in Alternative 2.

As mentioned above, the estimated Federal contribution to construction cost will exceed $25 million.

The EIS will be prepared as required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and NRCS regulations that implement NEPA in 7 CFR part 650.

Resource concerns for scoping were identified and categorized as relevant or not relevant to the proposed action. The Bear River Water Conservancy District, the Bear River Canal Company, and NRCS evaluated the current condition of the Lower Bear River watershed along with relevant resource concerns for each proposed solution. Environmental resources in the project area consist of the natural and man-made resources. Resource concerns to be identified and addressed in the Watershed Plan-EIS include wetland and channel alteration, potential disturbances to wildlife, and disturbances to riparian areas. Long-term beneficial effects would include more efficient irrigation delivery for the agricultural system, water quality improvement, and irrigation water supply improvement through secondary water development. Additionally, proposed activities would reduce strain on existing secondary residential water supply systems, reduce flooding danger, protect the watershed, and provide recreational opportunities within the watershed.

The following permits and authorizations are anticipated to be required:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency Floodplain Development permit. Implementation of the proposed action would require coordination with the local floodplain administrator and may require a Floodplain Development Permit to ensure all development and engineering requirements for construction within the Special Flood Hazard Areas are implemented.

• Clean Water Act (CWA) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The proposed action may require water quality certification under Section 401 of the CWA, permitting under Section 402 of the NPDES, and Section 404 of the CWA for potential impacts to wetlands and Waters of the United States.

• National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106. Consultation with Tribal Nations and interested parties would be conducted as required by the NHPA.

• Local Encroachment. Consultation and potential encroachment permits would be required with Tremonton, Elwood, Bear River City, Garland, and Box Elder County for all construction work within the local roadway rights-of-way.

• Encroachment Permit. The proposed action may require coordination and permitting with Utah Department of Transportation for temporary construction work within state and federal roadway rights-of-way.

A Draft EIS (DEIS) will be prepared and circulated for review and comment by agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and the public for 45 days as required by the regulations in 40 CFR 1503.1, 1502.20, 1506.11, and 1502.17, and 7 CFR 650.13. The DEIS is anticipated to be published in the Federal Register , approximately 21 months after publication of this NOI. A Final EIS is anticipated to be published within 3 months of completion of the public comment period for the DEIS.

NRCS will decide whether to implement one of the action alternatives as evaluated in the EIS. A Record of Decision will be completed after the required 30-day waiting period and will be publicly available. The responsible Federal official and decision maker for NRCS is the Utah State Conservationist.

A public scoping meeting was held on November 9, 2023. Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who commented, are part of the public record. The date, time, and location for a second meeting will be announced on the project website.

Federal, State, Tribal, local agencies and representatives, and the public were invited to take part in the watershed plan scoping period. The Bear River Water Conservancy District, the Bear River Canal Company, and NRCS organized the public scoping meeting to provide an opportunity to review and evaluate the project alternatives, express concern, or support, and gain further information regarding the project. To determine the most viable alternatives to carry forward to the EIS, the Bear River Water Conservancy District, the Bear River Canal Company, and NRCS used input obtained during public scoping discussions to focus on relevant resource concerns and issues and eliminated those that were not relevant from further detailed study. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have joined as cooperating agencies, and will continue to be consulted throughout this process.

NRCS will coordinate the scoping process to correspond with Section 106 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 306108), as allowed in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) and 800.8.

NRCS invites agencies, Tribes, consulting parties, and individuals that have special expertise, legal jurisdiction, or interest in the Lower Bear River Watershed Plan to provide written comments concerning the scope of the analysis and identification of potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action.

The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed project will assist NRCS in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context of both NEPA and NHPA.

NRCS will consult with Native American tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with the regulations in 36 CFR 800.2 and 800.3, Executive Order 13175, and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources and historic properties, will be given due consideration.

This document is published as specified by the NEPA regulations regarding publication of an NOI to issue an EIS (40 CFR 1501.9(d)). Watershed planning is authorized under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954, as amended and the Flood Control Act of 1944.

The title and number of the Federal Assistance Program as found in the Assistance Listing  1 to which this document applies is 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention.

Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” requires consultation with State and local officials that would be directly affected by proposed Federal financial assistance. The objectives of the Executive order are to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism, by relying on State and local processes for State and local government coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal development. This project is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Individuals who require alternative means of communication for program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and telephone) or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text telephone users can initiate this call from any phone). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Housing Service.

Funding Opportunity Title: Housing Preservation Grant (HPG).

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-RD-HCFP-HPG-2024.

Assistance Listing: 10.433.

Dates: Completed preapplications for grants must be submitted according to one of the following methods:

• Paper Submissions: The deadline for receipt of a paper preapplication is 4:30 p.m. local time, July 29, 2024. Applicants intending to mail preapplications must provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by the United States Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX), and postage due applications will not be accepted. The preapplication dates and times are firm. The Agency will not consider any preapplication received after the deadline.

• Electronic submissions: Electronic preapplications must be received by email or submitted to Grants.gov. The deadline for receipt of an electronic application is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 29, 2024. The preapplication dates and times are firm. The Agency will not consider any preapplication received after the deadline. The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the preapplication deadline. The Agency will not consider any preapplication received after the deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in the submitted preapplication.

Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities (more details available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points ):

• Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.

• Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and

• Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.

For further information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.

1. Purpose of the Program. The HPG program is a grant program administered by the Single-Family Housing Programs of RHS. It is limited to eligible rural areas and to qualified entities (such as public agencies, private non-profit organizations, and federally recognized Tribes). Grant funds can be used to assist low- and very low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas.

Cooperative housing complexes (co-ops) and rental property owners may receive assistance under the HPG program if they agree to make such units available to very low- and low-income persons. Rental property owners can include section 515 and 538 rental properties if the eligibility requirements are met for the HPG program. In accordance with 7 CFR 1944.663, rental property owners, or the co-op, must agree to make the units repaired or rehabilitated available for occupancy to very low- or low-income persons for a period of not less than five years. The minimum five-year rent restriction for very low- and low-income tenants will only apply to the units that are repaired with the HPG funding. Any units within the property that were not repaired with HPG funding will not be subject to the five-year restriction.

2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. Funding is authorized by section 533 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended and pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42); 42 U.S.C. 1490m, and 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N.

3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice may be found at 7 CFR 1944.656.

4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score preapplications in response to this notice based on the provisions in 7 CFR 1944.679 and as indicated in this notice.

Type of Award: Grants.

Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024 $12.2 million, to remain available until expended.

Available Funds: Approximately $12.2 million is made available to eligible participants. Approximately $2.2 million of this funding is available for disaster assistance. The disaster funding is made available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Division N, Title I. RHS may, at its discretion, increase the total level of funding available from any available source provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the funding available to the Agency.

Award Amounts: As required by 7 CFR 1944.680, no single entity may be awarded more than 1/2 of a state's allocation if there are two or more preapplications for a given state that meet the threshold criteria of 7 CFR 1944.679(a). Award amounts available in FY 2024 State Allocation have not been finalized and can be obtained from the RDSO. An award made for disaster assistance may not exceed a maximum award amount of $50,000, with no state maximum for the number of such disaster assistance awards.

A list of RDSO contacts is provided at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

Anticipated Award Date: The Agency anticipates making awards approximately 120 days after the application deadline.

Performance Period: 24 months from the executed grant agreement.

Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.

Approximate Number of Awards: The number of awards will depend on the number of eligible participants and the total amount of requested funds. Based on the Agency's prior experience with this program, it expects to make approximately 80-120 awards.

1. Eligible Applicants. (a) Potential applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 1944.658. Additionally, potential applicants must meet the requirements of 7 CFR 1944.661, 1944.662, and/or 1944.686 as applicable. Eligible entities for these competitively awarded grants must meet the definition of “organization” as defined in 7 CFR 1944.656. Eligible entities include State and local governments, non-profit corporations, which may include, but not be limited to Faith-Based and community organizations; federally recognized Indian Tribes; and consortia of eligible entities. HPG applicants who were previously selected for HPG funds are eligible to submit new preapplications to apply for FY 2024 HPG program funds. An additional HPG grant may be made when the grantee has achieved or nearly achieved the goals established for the previous or existing grant. The commitment of program dollars will be made to selected applicants who have fulfilled the necessary requirements for obligations. Awards for disaster assistance grants may be made only for disaster declared as a presidentially declared disaster during calendar year 2022 presidentially declared area(s). A presidentially declared disaster is defined as a “major disaster or emergency” declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. ). A list of 2022 presidentially declared disasters can be viewed at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching. Pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.652(a)(1), grantees are expected to coordinate and leverage funding for repair and rehabilitation activities; as well as replacement housing, with housing and community development organizations or activities operating in the same geographic area. While it is encouraged that HPG funds be leveraged with other resources, cost sharing or matching is not a requirement for the HPG applicant, and the HPG applicant would not necessarily be denied an award of HPG funds if all other required project selection criteria described in this notice and at 7 CFR 1944.679(a) have been met.

3. Discretionary Points. None.

4. Other. Awards made under this Notice are subject to the provisions contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-47, division E title VII, sections 744 and 745, regarding Corporate Felony Convictions and Corporate Federal Tax Delinquencies; and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 division B, title VII sections 744 and 745. To comply with these provisions, only applicants that are or propose to be, corporations will be required submit Form AD 3030, “Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants” as part of their preapplication.

There are no limits on proposed direct and indirect costs. Expenses incurred in developing preapplications will be at the applicant's cost.

1. Address to Request Application Package. Entities wanting to apply for assistance may download the preapplication documents for this Notice from the HPG website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housing-preservation-grants. Application information for electronic submissions may be found at https://www.grants.gov.

Applicants may also request a paper application package from the RD office in their state. A list of RDSO contacts can be found via https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission. All requirements for submission of a preapplication under the Housing Preservation Program are subject to 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N. If the applicant is ineligible or the preapplication is incomplete, the Agency will inform the applicant in writing of the decision, reasons therefore, and its appeal rights and no further evaluation of the application will occur.

As specified by 7 CFR 1944.676, the Agency requires applicants to submit the following information to make an eligibility determination:

1. An SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”;

(i) Made available by contacting any RDSO at the website: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices; or

(ii) Grants.gov at the following website: https://www.grants.gov.

2. A statement of activities proposed by the applicant for its HPG program as appropriate to the type of assistance the applicant is proposing, including:

(i) A complete discussion of the type of and conditions for financial assistance for housing preservation, including whether the request for assistance is for a homeowner assistance program, a rental property assistance program, or a cooperative assistance program.

(ii) The process for selecting recipients for HPG assistance, determining housing preservation needs of the dwelling, performing the necessary work, and monitoring/inspecting work performed.

(iii) A description of the process for identifying potential environmental impacts in accordance with § 1944.672 of this subpart, and the provisions for compliance with Stipulation I.A-G of the PMOA (RD Instruction 2000-FF available in any Rural Development office) in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.673(b) . With the exception of Stipulation I.D of the PMOA, this may be accomplished by adoption of exhibit F-1 within RD Instruction 1944-N (available in any Rural Development office), or another process supplying similar information acceptable to Rural Development.

(iv) The development standard(s) the applicant will use for the housing preservation work; and, if not the RD standards for existing dwellings, the evidence of its acceptance by the jurisdiction where the grant will be implemented.

(v) The time schedule for completing the program.

(vi) The staffing required to complete the program.

(vii) The estimated number of very low- and low-income minority and non-minority persons the grantee will assist with HPG funds; and, if a rental property or cooperative assistance program, the number of units and the term of restrictive covenants on their use for very low- and low-income.

(viii) The geographical area(s) to be served by the HPG program.

(ix) The annual estimated budget for the program period based on the financial needs to accomplish the objectives outlined in the proposal. The budget should include proposed direct and indirect administrative costs, such as personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contracts, and other cost categories, detailing those costs for which the grantee proposes to use the HPG grant separately from non-HPG resources, if any. The applicant budget should also include a schedule (with amounts) of how the applicant proposes to draw HPG grant funds, i.e., monthly, quarterly, lump sum for program activities, etc. The applicant can use SF-424A to provide this information.

(x) A copy of an indirect cost proposal/rate or direct cost policy when the applicant has another source of federal funding in addition to the RD HPG program.

(xi) A brief description of the accounting system to be used.

(xii) The method of evaluation to be used by the applicant to determine the effectiveness of its program which encompasses the requirements for quarterly reports to RD in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.683(b) and the monitoring plan for rental properties and cooperatives (when applicable) according to 7 CFR 1944.689.

(xiii) The source and estimated amount of other financial resources to be obtained and used by the applicant for both HPG activities and housing development and/or supporting activities.

(xiv) The use of program income if any, and the tracking system used for monitoring same.

(xv) The applicant's plan for disposition of any security instruments held by them as a result of its HPG activities in the event of its loss of legal status.

(xvi) Any other information necessary to explain the proposed HPG program.

(xvii) The outreach efforts outlined in 7 CFR 1944.671(b).

3. Experience. Complete information about the applicant's experience and capacity to carry out the objectives of the proposed HPG program.

4. Evidence of Legal Existence. Evidence of the applicant's legal existence, including, in the case of a private non-profit organization, a copy of, or an accurate reference to, the specific provisions of State law under which the applicant is organized; a certified copy of the applicant's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws or other evidence of corporate existence; certificate of incorporation for applicants other than public bodies; evidence of good standing from the state when the corporation has been in existence one year or more; and the names and addresses of the applicant's members, directors and officers. If other organizations are members of the applicant-organization, or the applicant is a consortium, preapplications should be accompanied by the names, addresses, and principal purpose of the other organizations. If the applicant is a consortium, documentation showing compliance with paragraph (4)(ii) under the definition of “organization” in 7 CFR 1944.656 must also be included.

5. Audited and Financial Statements. For a private non-profit entity, the most recent audited statement and a current financial statement dated and signed by an authorized officer of the entity showing the amounts and specific nature of assets and liabilities together with information on the repayment schedule and status of any debt(s) owed by the applicant. If the applicant is an organization being assisted by another private non-profit organization, the same type of financial statement should also be provided by that organization.

6. Narrative Statement. A brief narrative statement which includes information about the area to be served and the need for improved housing (including both percentage and the actual number of both low-income and low-income minority households and substandard housing), the need for the type of housing preservation assistance being proposed, the anticipated use of HPG resources for historic properties, and the method of evaluation to be used by the applicant in determining the effectiveness of its efforts (according to 7 CFR 1944.676(b)(1)(xii)).

7. Alleviating Overcrowding Statement. A statement containing the component for alleviating any overcrowding as defined by 7 CFR 1944.656.

8. List of Other Activities. A list of other activities the applicant is engaged in and expects to continue, a statement as to any other funding, and whether it will have sufficient funds to assure continued operation of the other activities for at least the period of the HPG grant agreement.

9. Project Selection Criteria. Any other information necessary to address the selection criteria in 7 CFR 1944.679.

10. Environmental Compliance Agreement. The applicant must comply with the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970 and submit RD Instruction 1970-A Exhibit H “Multi-tier Action Environmental Compliance Agreement.”

11. Public Participation and Intergovernmental Review. Intergovernmental Review. In accordance with 7 CFR 1944.674(c), the HPG program is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. RD conducts intergovernmental consultation as implemented with 2 CFR part 415, subpart C. Not all States have chosen to participate in the intergovernmental review process. A list of participating States is available at the following website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/. Preapplications from federally recognized Indian Tribes are not subject to this requirement.

(i) The applicant must submit written statements and related correspondence reflecting compliance with 7 CFR 1944.674(a) regarding consultation with local leaders from the county, parish, and/or township governments of the area where the HPG activities will take place for the purpose of assuring that the proposed HPG program is beneficial and does not duplicate current activities. American Indian nonprofit organization applicants should obtain the written concurrence of the tribal governing body in lieu of consulting with the county governments when the program is operated only on tribal land.

(ii) The applicant is to make its statement of activities available to the public for comment prior to submission to RD pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.674(b). The applicant(s) must announce the availability of its statement of activities for review in a print or online newspaper of general circulation in the project area and allow at least 15 days for public comment. The start of this 15-day period must occur no later than 16 days prior to the last day for acceptance of preapplications by the Agency. Federally recognized Indian Tribes, pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.674, should obtain the written concurrence of the tribal governing body in lieu of consulting with the county governments when the program is operated only on tribal land. The preapplication must contain a description of how the comments (if any were received) were addressed.

12. Equal Opportunity Agreement. The applicant must submit an original of Form RD 400-1, “Equal Opportunity Agreement” and Form RD 400-4, “Assurance Agreement” in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.676.

13. RD Instruction 2000-FF. Provided for informational purposes during the preapplication period per 7 CFR 1944.673.

Applicants should review 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N for a comprehensive list of all application requirements. Preapplications will not be considered for funding if they do not provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing required elements.

Applicants must collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex, and national origin and ensure ultimate recipients collect and maintain this data as described in 7 CFR 1944.671. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, “Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity” (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but should be available upon request by the Agency.

The applicant and the recipient must comply with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.

Debarment and suspension information is required in accordance with 2 CFR 180 and 2 CFR 417 (OMB's Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) (Non procurement Debarment and Suspension) supplemented by 2 CFR 180 and 2 CFR 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) if it applies. The section heading is “What information must I provide before entering into a covered transaction with a Federal agency?” located at 2 CFR 180.335. It is part of OMB's Guidance for Grants and Agreements concerning Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension. Applicants are not eligible if they have been debarred or suspended or otherwise excluded from, or ineligible for, participation in Federal assistance programs under 2 CFR parts 180 and 417.

3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.

(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application in accordance with 2 CFR 25 ( https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25 ). To register in SAM, entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

(b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

(c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations in SAM.

(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110 ( https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 ).

(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times. The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the preapplication deadline. RHS also reserves the right to ask applicants for clarifying information and additional verification of assertions in the application.

5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance with State and local governments. Many states have established a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/. If your State has a SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application directly for review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your State Office for consideration as part of your application. If your state has not established a SPOC, you may submit your application directly to the Agency. Applications from Federally recognized Indian Tribes are not subject to this requirement.

6. Funding Restrictions. Applications must be for eligible purposes as defined above and must comply with the grant fund limitations found within 7 CFR 1944. There are no limits on proposed direct and indirect costs. Expenses incurred in developing preapplications will be at the applicant's cost.

7. Other Submission Requirements: None.

1. Criteria.

All eligible and complete preapplications for section 533 HPG funds must be filed with the appropriate RDSO and all paper or electronic preapplications must meet the requirements of this Notice and 7 CFR 1944.679. Preapplications determined not eligible and/or not meeting the selection criteria will be notified by the RDSO.

2. Review and Selection Process.

The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less than the grant funding requested. RDSOs will utilize the following threshold project selection criteria for applicants in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.679:

(a) Providing a financially feasible program of housing preservation assistance. “Financially feasible” is defined as proposed assistance which will be affordable to the intended recipient or result in affordable housing for very low- and low-income persons.

(b) Serving eligible rural areas with a concentration of substandard housing for households of very low- and low-income.

(c) Being an eligible applicant as defined in 7 CFR 1944.658.

(d) Meeting the requirements of consultation and public comment in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.674.

(e) Submitting a complete preapplication as outlined in 7 CFR 1944.676.

3. Scoring.

For applicants meeting all the requirements listed above, the RDSOs will use weighted criteria in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.679(b) as selection for the grant recipients. Each preapplication and its accompanying statement of activities will be evaluated and, based solely on the information contained in the preapplication, the applicant's proposal will be numerically rated on each criterion within the range provided. The highest-ranking applicant(s) will be selected based on allocation of funds available to the state.

(1) Points are awarded based on the percentage of very low-income persons that the applicant proposes to assist, using the following scale:

(2) The applicant's proposal may be expected to result in the following percentage of HPG fund use (excluding administrative costs) to total cost of unit preservation. This percentage reflects maximum repair or rehabilitation with the least possible HPG funds due to leveraging, innovative financial assistance, owner's contribution, or other specified approaches. Points are awarded based on the following percentage of HPG funds (excluding administrative costs) to total funds:

(3) The applicant has demonstrated its administrative capacity in assisting very low- and low-income persons to obtain adequate housing based on the following:

(i) The organization or a member of its staff has at least one or more years of experience successfully managing and operating a rehabilitation or weatherization type program: 10 points.

(ii) The organization or a member of its staff has at least one or more years of experience successfully managing and operating a program assisting very low- and low-income persons obtain housing assistance: 10 points.

(iii) If the organization has administered grant programs, there are no outstanding or unresolved audit or investigative findings which might impair carrying out the proposal: 10 points.

(4) The proposed program will be undertaken entirely in rural areas outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) identified by RD as having populations below 10,000 or in remote parts of other rural areas ( i.e., rural areas contained in MSAs with less than 5,000 population) as defined in 7 CFR 1944.656: 10 points.

(5) The program will use less than 20 percent of HPG funds for administration purposes:

(6) The proposed program contains a component for alleviating overcrowding as defined in 7 CFR 1944.656: 5 points.

In the event more than one preapplication receives the same number of points, those preapplications will then be ranked based on the actual percentage figure used for determining the points in item (1) in the “Scoring” section of this Notice (7 CFR 1944.679 (b)(1)).

Example of 1st tie-break:

Further, if preapplications are still tied, then those preapplications still tied will be ranked based on the percentage figures used for determining the points in item (2) in the “Scoring” section of this Notice.

Example of 2nd tie-break:

Further for preapplications where HPG assistance to rental properties or co-ops is proposed, those still tied will be further ranked based on the number of years the units are available for occupancy under the program (a minimum of five years is required). For this part, ranking will be based on most to least number of years.

Example of 3rd tie-break:

If any of the applicants that remain tied after the 1st and 2nd tie-breaks are offering to assist single family owners, then the 3rd tie-break would not be applicable, and a lottery would be used to select the applicant to be funded.

If there is still a tie after the first two (or three, when applicable) tie-breaks, then a lottery system will be used to select the applicant to be funded. The lottery will be conducted at the National Office. The lottery will consist of the names of each preapplication with equal scores printed onto a same size piece of paper, which will then be placed into a receptacle that fully obstructs the view of the names. The Director of the Single-Family Housing Division, in the presence of two witnesses, will draw a piece of paper from the receptacle. The name on the piece of paper drawn will be the applicant to be funded.

After the award selections are made by the National Office, all applicants will be notified of the status of their preapplications in writing. Applicants will be given their review rights or appeal rights in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.682.

1. Federal Award Notices.

The Agency will notify in writing, applicants whose preapplications have been selected for funding. At the time of notification, the Agency will advise the applicant what further information and documentation is required along with a timeline for submitting the additional information. If the Agency determines it is unable to select the preapplication for funding, the applicant will be informed in writing. Such notification will include the reasons the applicant was not selected. The Agency will advise applicants, whose preapplications did not meet eligibility and/or selection criteria, of their review rights or appeal rights in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.682.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.

(a) The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected for this program:

The grant recipient must include the required nondiscrimination statements in any of their advertisements and brochures. Grantees will be required to collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex, and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, “Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity,” (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Data on recipients' sex will be collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but should be available upon request by the Agency.

3. Reporting. Performance reporting, including applicable forms, narratives, and other documentation, are to be completed and submitted in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR 1944.683 and the Grant Agreement. Further, all grantees must submit an audit or financial information covering the defined period of performance as outlined in 7 CFR 1944.688 and the Grant Agreement.

For general questions about this announcement, please contact Mandy Couture, Finance and Loan Analyst, Single Family Housing Direct Division, Special Programs and New Initiatives Branch at (515) 418-2188 (voice) (this is not a toll-free number) or email: Mandy.Couture@usda.gov. The Program website also provides up to date contact information at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housing-preservation-grants#contact.

1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information collection requirements associated with the programs, as covered in this notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0157.

2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.

3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM and have a UEI number as stated in section D.3 of this notice. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.

4. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A- Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture—Effectuation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, title IX, Executive Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.

5. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the 711 Relay Service.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; or

(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments can be sent via email to Ana Fortes (DFO) at afortes@usccr.gov.

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Arizona Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at atrevino@usccr.gov.

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

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments can be sent via email to Ana Fortes (DFO) at afortes@usccr.gov.

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Arizona Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at atrevino@usccr.gov.

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

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments can be sent via email to Ana Fortes (DFO) at afortes@usccr.gov .

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Arizona Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at atrevino@usccr.gov.

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

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments can be sent via email to Ana Fortes (DFO) at afortes@usccr.gov.

Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Coordination Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meetings will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Arizona Advisory Committee link. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, http://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Coordination Unit at atrevino@usccr.gov.

This request is for an extension of a currently approved information collection by the NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Sustainable Fisheries. Under the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. ], as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act [Pub. L. 104-297], the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) is required to publish a list of all fisheries under authority of each Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) and all such fishing gear used in such fisheries (see section 305(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act). The list has been published and appears in 50 CFR 600.725(v). Any person wishing to use gear not on the list, or engage in a fishery not on the list, must provide the appropriate Council or the Secretary, in the case of Atlantic highly migratory species, with 90 days of advance notice. If the Secretary takes no action to prohibit such a fishery or use of such a gear, the person may proceed.

The respondent provides written notice. No form is used.

OMB Control Number: 0648-0346.

Form Number(s): None.

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

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 6.

Estimated Time per Response: 90 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: $30.00 in recordkeeping/reporting costs.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $60.00.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Magnuson-Stevens Act.

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.

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 proposed or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed IHA is provided to the public for review.

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 the species or stocks for taking for certain subsistence uses (referred to in shorthand as “mitigation”); and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of the takings are set forth. The definitions of all applicable MMPA statutory terms cited above are included in the relevant sections below.

On August 21, 2023, NMFS received a request from the Navy for an IHA to take marine mammals incidental to pile driving and removal activities associated with the New London Pier Extension Project at SUBASE New London in Groton, Connecticut. Following NMFS' review of the application, the Navy submitted a revised version on January 31, 2024. The application was deemed adequate and complete on February 2, 2024. The Navy's request is for take of six species of marine mammals by Level B harassment and for take of harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals by Level A harassment. Neither the Navy nor NMFS expects serious injury or mortality to result from this activity; therefore, an IHA is appropriate.

There are no changes from the proposed IHA to the final IHA.

The Navy is planning the partial demolition and extension of pier 31 at SUBASE New London in Groton, Connecticut (figure 1). The existing pier 31 will be partially demolished and then an 81-foot (ft), or 24.7-meter (m), extension will be constructed. This project will also include the demolition of an existing small access ramp for pier 17. The project includes impact and vibratory pile installation and vibratory pile removal. For a portion of the piles, an auger drill will be used inside the pipe casing to lift sediment.

The pier 31 extension will include the removal of 28 16-inch (in), or 0.41-m, fiberglass reinforced plastic fender piles. The pier 17 demolition will include the removal of 20 14-in (0.36-m) concrete encased steel H-piles and 10 timber piles. Existing piles will be removed by the deadpull method, with timber piles being cut at the mudline and all other piles being removed with the vibratory hammer if deadpull is unsuccessful. Once the existing piles are removed, 20 36-in (0.91-m) steel pipe piles and 60 16-in (0.41-m) fiberglass reinforced plastic fender piles will be installed to support the pier 31 extension and pier 17 quaywall. The installation and removal of a temporary work trestle supported by 60 14-in (0.36-m) steel H-piles will be completed to support permanent pile installation. Temporary and permanent piles will be initially installed with a vibratory hammer followed by an impact hammer to embed them to their final depth. For a portion of the piles, an auger drill will be used inside the pipe casing to lift sediment.

In order to maintain project schedules, it is possible that multiple pieces of equipment will operate at the same time within the project area. Piles may be extracted and installed on the same day, with a maximum of three vibratory hammers operating simultaneously. The method of installation, and whether concurrent pile driving scenarios will be implemented, will be determined by the construction crew once the project has begun. Therefore, the total take estimate reflects the worst-case scenario for the project.

A further detailed description of the planned construction project is provided in the Federal Register notice for the proposed IHA (89 FR 27717, April 18, 2024). Since that time, no changes have been made to the planned activities. Therefore, a detailed description is not provided here. Please refer to that Federal Register notice for the description of the specified activity. Mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures are described in detail later in this document (please see Mitigation and Monitoring and Reporting sections).

A notice of NMFS' proposal to issue an IHA to the Navy was published in the Federal Register on April 18, 2024 (89 FR 27717). That notice described, in detail, the Navy's activity, the marine mammal species that may be affected by the activity, and the anticipated effects on marine mammals. In that notice, we requested public input on the request for authorization described therein, our analyses, the proposed authorization, and any other aspect of the notice of proposed IHA, and requested that interested persons submit relevant information, suggestions, and comments. During the 30-day public comment period, NMFS did not receive any substantive comments on the proposed IHA.

Changes were made between publication of the notice of the proposed IHA and this notice of the final IHA. The Hydroacoustic Monitoring section was updated for clarification. We clarified that the monitoring should occur at 10 m (33 ft) from the monitored pile; at a location intermediate of the pinniped and cetacean Level A (permanent threshold shift (PTS) onset) zones; and occasionally near the predicted harassment zones for Level B (behavioral) harassment. Additionally, table 11 was updated to reflect that the measurements and acoustic monitoring would be conducted for at least 10 percent and up to a maximum of 10 of each different type of pile and each method of installation. We also added a requirement that all PSO data will be submitted electronically with the draft marine mammal report in a format that can be queried, such as a spreadsheet or database.

Sections 3 and 4 of the IHA application summarize available information regarding status and trends, distribution and habitat preferences, and behavior and life history of the potentially affected species. NMFS fully considered all of this information, and we refer the reader to these descriptions, instead of reprinting the information. Additional information regarding population trends and threats may be found in NMFS' Stock Assessment Reports (SARs; https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessments ) and more general information about these species ( e.g., physical and behavioral descriptions) may be found on NMFS' website ( https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/find-species ).

Table 1 lists all species or stocks for which take is expected and authorized for this activity and summarizes information related to the population or stock, including regulatory status under the MMPA and Endangered Species Act (ESA) and potential biological removal (PBR), where known. PBR is defined by the MMPA as the maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population (as described in NMFS' SARs). While no serious injury or mortality is anticipated or authorized here, PBR and annual serious injury and mortality from anthropogenic sources are included here as gross indicators of the status of the species or stocks and other threats.

Marine mammal abundance estimates presented in this document represent the total number of individuals that make up a given stock or the total number estimated within a particular study or survey area. NMFS' stock abundance estimates for most species represent the total estimate of individuals within the geographic area, if known, that comprises that stock. For some species, this geographic area may extend beyond U.S. waters. All managed stocks in this region are assessed in NMFS' U.S. 2022 SARs. All values presented in table 1 are the most recent available at the time of publication (including from the draft 2023 SARs) and are available online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessments.

As indicated above, all six species (with six managed stocks) in table 1 temporally and spatially co-occur with the activity to the degree that take is reasonably likely to occur. All species that could potentially occur in the project area are included in table 3-1 of the IHA application. While North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis ), common minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ), fin whale ( Balaenoptera physalus ), and humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) have been documented in Long Island Sound, the spatial and temporal occurrence of these species is such that take is not expected to occur, and they are not discussed further beyond the explanation provided here. These species occur at low densities at the mouth of the Thames River, extending into Long Island Sound, and do not occur in the Thames River. Sound from the project is only expected to propagate into the Long Island Sound during the vibratory driving of the 36-in steel pipe piles. Only a small portion of the Long Island Sound will be ensonified, and therefore incidental take of these species is not anticipated.

A detailed description of the species likely to be affected by the Navy's construction project, including brief introductions to the species and relevant stocks as well as available information regarding population trends and threats, and information regarding local occurrence, were provided in the Federal Register notice for the proposed IHA (89 FR 27717, April 18, 2024); since that time, we are not aware of any changes in the status of these species and stocks; therefore, detailed descriptions are not provided here. Please refer to that Federal Register notice for these descriptions. Please also refer to the NMFS website ( https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/find-species ) for generalized species accounts.

Hearing is the most important sensory modality for marine mammals underwater, and exposure to anthropogenic sound can have deleterious effects. To appropriately assess the potential effects of exposure to sound, it is necessary to understand the frequency ranges marine mammals are able to hear. Not all marine mammal species have equal hearing capabilities ( e.g., Richardson et al., 1995; Wartzok and Ketten, 1999; Au and Hastings, 2008). To reflect this, Southall et al. (2007, 2019) recommended that marine mammals be divided into hearing groups based on directly measured (behavioral or auditory evoked potential techniques) or estimated hearing ranges (behavioral response data, anatomical modeling, etc. ). Note that no direct measurements of hearing ability have been successfully completed for mysticetes ( i.e., low-frequency cetaceans). Subsequently, NMFS (2018) described generalized hearing ranges for these marine mammal hearing groups. Generalized hearing ranges were chosen based on the approximately 65-decibel (dB) threshold from the normalized composite audiograms, with the exception for lower limits for low-frequency cetaceans where the lower bound was deemed to be biologically implausible and the lower bound from Southall et al. (2007) retained. Marine mammal hearing groups and their associated hearing ranges are provided in table 2.

The pinniped functional hearing group was modified from Southall et al. (2007) on the basis of data indicating that phocid species have consistently demonstrated an extended frequency range of hearing compared to otariids, especially in the higher frequency range (Hemilä et al., 2006; Kastelein et al., 2009; Reichmuth et al., 2013). This division between phocid and otariid pinnipeds is now reflected in the updated hearing groups proposed in Southall et al. (2019).

For more detail concerning these groups and associated frequency ranges, please see NMFS (2018) for a review of available information.

The effects of underwater noise from the Navy's pile driving activities have the potential to result in behavioral harassment of marine mammals in the vicinity of the project area. The notice of the proposed IHA (89 FR 27717, April 18, 2024) included a discussion of the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals and the potential effects of underwater noise from the Navy's pile driving activities on marine mammals and their habitat. That information and analysis is incorporated by reference into this final IHA determination and is not repeated here; please refer to the notice of the proposed IHA (89 FR 27717, April 18, 2024).

This section provides an estimate of the number of incidental takes authorized through the IHA, which will inform NMFS' consideration of “small numbers,” the negligible impact determinations, and impacts on subsistence uses.

Harassment is the only type of take expected to result from these activities. Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, section 3(18) of 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).

Authorized takes will primarily be by Level B harassment, as use of the acoustic ( i.e., pile driving) has the potential to result in disruption of behavioral patterns for individual marine mammals. There is also some potential for auditory injury (Level A harassment) to result, primarily for phocids because no other species have been observed within the Thames River adjacent to the project site, and the Level A harassment isopleths do not extend to the Long Island Sound. The mitigation and monitoring measures are expected to minimize the severity of the taking to the extent practicable. As described previously, no serious injury or mortality is anticipated or authorized for this activity. Here we describe how the information provided above is synthesized to produce a quantitative estimate of the take that is reasonably likely to occur and is authorized.

For acoustic impacts, generally speaking, we estimate take by considering: (1) acoustic thresholds above which NMFS believes the best available science indicates marine mammals will be behaviorally harassed or incur some degree of permanent hearing impairment; (2) the area or volume of water that will be ensonified above these levels in a day; (3) the density or occurrence of marine mammals within these ensonified areas; and (4) the number of days of activities. We note that while these factors can contribute to a basic calculation to provide an initial prediction of potential takes, additional information that can qualitatively inform take estimates is also sometimes available ( e.g., previous monitoring results or average group size). Below, we describe the factors considered here in more detail and present the authorized take numbers.

NMFS recommends the use of acoustic thresholds that identify the received level of underwater sound above which exposed marine mammals would be reasonably expected to be behaviorally harassed (equated to Level B harassment) or to incur a PTS of some degree (equated to Level A harassment).

Level B Harassment —Though significantly driven by received level, the onset of behavioral disturbance from anthropogenic noise exposure is also informed to varying degrees by other factors related to the source or exposure context ( e.g., frequency, predictability, duty cycle, duration of the exposure, signal-to-noise ratio, distance to the source), the environment ( e.g., bathymetry, other noises in the area, predators in the area), and the receiving animals (hearing, motivation, experience, demography, life stage, depth) and can be difficult to predict ( e.g., Southall et al., 2007, 2021; Ellison et al., 2012). Based on what the available science indicates and the practical need to use a threshold based on a metric that is both predictable and measurable for most activities, NMFS typically uses a generalized acoustic threshold based on received level to estimate the onset of behavioral harassment. NMFS generally predicts that marine mammals are likely to be behaviorally harassed in a manner considered to be Level B harassment when exposed to underwater anthropogenic noise above root-mean-squared pressure received levels (RMS SPL) of 120 dB (referenced to 1 micropascal (re 1 μPa)) for continuous ( e.g., vibratory pile driving, drilling) and above RMS SPL 160 dB re 1 μPa for non-explosive impulsive ( e.g., seismic airguns) or intermittent ( e.g., scientific sonar) sources. Generally speaking, Level B harassment take estimates based on these behavioral harassment thresholds are expected to include any likely takes by temporary threshold shift (TTS) as, in most cases, the likelihood of TTS occurs at distances from the source less than those at which behavioral harassment is likely. TTS of a sufficient degree can manifest as behavioral harassment, as reduced hearing sensitivity and the potential reduced opportunities to detect important signals (conspecific communication, predators, prey) may result in changes in behavior patterns that would not otherwise occur.

The Navy's activity includes the use of continuous (vibratory pile driving and auger drilling) and impulsive (impact pile driving) sources, and therefore the RMS SPL thresholds of 120 and 160 dB re 1 μPa are applicable.

Level A Harassment —NMFS' Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing (Version 2.0; Technical Guidance, 2018) identifies dual criteria to assess auditory injury (Level A harassment) to five different marine mammal groups (based on hearing sensitivity) as a result of exposure to noise from two different types of sources (impulsive or non-impulsive). The Navy's activity includes the use of impulsive (impact pile driving) and non-impulsive (vibratory pile driving and auger drilling) sources.

These thresholds are provided in the table below. The references, analysis, and methodology used in the development of the thresholds are described in NMFS' 2018 Technical Guidance, which may be accessed at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-acoustic-technical-guidance.

Here, we describe operational and environmental parameters of the activity that are used in estimating the area ensonified above the acoustic thresholds, including source levels and transmission loss coefficient.

The sound field in the project area is the existing background noise plus additional construction noise from the project. Pile driving generates underwater noise that can potentially result in disturbance to marine mammals in the project area. The maximum (underwater) area ensonified is determined by the topography of the Thames River, including intersecting land masses that will reduce the overall area of potential impact. Additionally, vessel traffic, including large vessels and ferries, in the project area may contribute to elevated background noise levels, which may mask sounds produced by the project.

Transmission loss ( TL ) is the decrease in acoustic intensity as an acoustic pressure wave propagates out from a source. TL parameters vary with frequency, temperature, sea conditions, current, source and receiver depth, water depth, water chemistry, and bottom composition and topography. The general formula for underwater TL is:

This formula neglects loss due to scattering and absorption, which is assumed to be zero here. The degree to which underwater sound propagates away from a sound source is dependent on a variety of factors, most notably the water bathymetry and presence or absence of reflective or absorptive conditions including in-water structures and sediments. Spherical spreading occurs in a perfectly unobstructed (free-field) environment not limited by depth or water surface, resulting in a 6-dB reduction in sound level for each doubling of distance from the source (20 × log 10 [range]). Cylindrical spreading occurs in an environment in which sound propagation is bounded by the water surface and sea bottom, resulting in a reduction of 3 dB in sound level for each doubling of distance from the source (10 × log 10 [range]). A practical spreading value of 15 is often used under conditions, such as the project site, where water increases with depth as the receiver moves away from the shoreline, resulting in an expected propagation environment that would lie between spherical and cylindrical spreading loss conditions. Practical spreading loss is assumed here.

The intensity of pile driving sounds is greatly influenced by factors such as the type of piles, hammers, and the physical environment in which the activity takes place. In order to calculate the distances to the Level A harassment and the Level B harassment sound thresholds for the methods and piles being used in this project, NMFS used acoustic monitoring data from other locations to develop proxy source levels for the various pile types, sizes and methods (table 4). Generally, we choose source levels from similar pile types from locations ( e.g., geology, bathymetry) similar to the project.

For this project, up to three vibratory hammers may operate simultaneously. When two noise sources have overlapping sound fields, there is potential for higher sound levels than for non-overlapping sources because the isopleth of one sound source encompasses the sound source of another isopleth. In such instances, the sources are considered additive and combined using the rules of decibel addition. For addition of two simultaneous sources, the difference between the two sound source levels is calculated, and if that difference is between 0 and 1 dB, 3 dB are added to the higher sound source levels; if the difference is between 2 and 3 dB, 2 dB are added to the highest sound source levels; if the difference is between 4 and 9 dB, 1 dB is added to the highest sound source levels; and with differences of 10 or more dB, there is no addition. For simultaneous usage of three or more continuous sound sources, the three overlapping sources with the highest sound source levels are identified. Of the three highest sound source levels, the lower two are combined using the above rules; then, the combination of the lower two is combined with the highest of the three. The calculated proxy source levels for the different potential concurrent pile driving scenarios are shown in table 5.

On 5/10/2024 (89 FR 40473), 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) 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) 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) deleted from the Procurement List.

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

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.

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

The AU BoV is being renewed in accordance with chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as “the Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”) and 41 CFR 102-3.50(a). The charter and contact information for the AU BoV's Designated Federal Officer (DFO) are found at https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/apex/FACAPublicAgencyNavigation.

The AU BoV provides the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense (“the DoD Appointing Authority”), through the Secretary of the Air Force, with independent advice and recommendations on matters pertaining to the Air University (AU) educational, doctrinal, and research policies and activities specifically on matters pertaining to (a) the progress of the educational programs and the support activities of the AU; (b) the published statement of purpose, institutional policies, and financial resources of the AU; and (c) the educational effectiveness quality of student learning, administrative and educational support services, and teaching, research, and public service of the AU.

The AU BoV is composed of no more than 15 members who shall recommend appropriate actions to the DoD Appointing Authority, through the Secretary of the Air Force, who may act upon the AU BoV's advice and recommendations in accordance with DoD policy and procedures.

Individual members are appointed by the DoD Appointing Authority in accordance with DoD policy and procedures, and shall serve a term of service of one-to-four years with annual renewals. The DoD Appointing Authority shall appoint one member of the AU BoV as Chair of the AU BoV, and that person, shall serve a term of service of one-to-two years with annual renewal. No member, unless approved according to DoD policy and procedures, may serve more than two consecutive terms of service on the AU BoV, or serve on more than two DoD Federal advisory committees at one time.

AU BoV members who are not full-time or permanent part-time Federal civilian officers or employees, or active-duty members of the Uniformed Services, are appointed as experts or consultants, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3109, to serve as special government employee members. AU BoV members who are full-time or permanent part-time Federal civilian officers or employees, or active-duty members of the Uniformed Services are appointed pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.130(a), to serve as regular government employee members.

All AU BoV members are appointed to provide advice based on their best judgment without representing any particular point of view and in a manner that is free from conflict of interest. Except for reimbursement of official AU BoV-related travel and per diem, members serve without compensation.

The public or interested organizations may submit written statements about the AU BoV's mission and functions. Written statements may be submitted at any time or in response to the stated agenda of planned meeting of the AU BoV. All written statements shall be submitted to the DFO for the AU BoV, and this individual will ensure that the written statements are provided to the membership for their consideration.

The RFPB is being renewed in accordance with chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), (commonly known as “the Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”) and 41 CFR 102-3.50(a). The charter and contact information for the RFPB's Designated Federal Officer (DFO) are found at https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/apex/FACAPublicAgencyNavigation.

Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 10301(b), the RFPB shall serve as an independent adviser to provide advice and recommendations on strategies, policies, and practices designed to improve and enhance the capabilities, efficiency, and effectiveness of the reserve components. The RFPB may act on those matters referred to it by the Chair and on any matter raised by a member of the RFPB or the Secretary of Defense (SecDef). All RFPB work, including subcommittee work, will be in response to written terms of reference or taskings approved by the SecDef or the Deputy Secretary of Defense (“the DoD Appointing Authority”), or the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) unless otherwise provided by statute or Presidential directive.

Consistent with the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 10301(c), the RFPB shall be composed of 20 members, appointed, or designated as follows: a. A civilian appointed by the SecDef from among persons determined by the Secretary to have the knowledge of, and experience in, policy matters relevant to national security and reserve component matters necessary to carry out the duties of the RFPB, who shall serve as Chair of the RFPB. b. Two active or retired reserve officers or enlisted members designated by the SecDef upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Army: One of whom shall be a member of the Army National Guard (ARNG) of the United States or a former member of the ARNG of the United States in the Retired Reserve; and one of whom shall be a member or retired member of the Army Reserve. c. Two active or retired reserve officers or enlisted members designated by the SecDef upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy: One of whom shall be an active or retired officer of the Navy Reserve and one of whom shall be an active or retired officer of the Marine Corps Reserve. d. Two active or retired reserve officers or enlisted members designated by the SecDef upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Air Force: One of whom shall be a member of the Air National Guard (ANG) of the United States or a former member of the ANG of the United States in the Retired Reserve; and one of whom shall be a member or retired member of the Air Force Reserve. e. One active or retired reserve officer or enlisted member of the U.S. Coast Guard designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security. f. Ten persons appointed or designated by the SecDef, each of whom shall be a U.S. citizen having significant knowledge of and experience in policy matters relevant to national security and reserve component matters and shall be one of the following: An individual not employed in any Federal or State department or agency. An individual employed by a Federal or State department or agency. An officer of a regular component of the armed forces on active duty, or an officer of a reserve component of the armed forces in an active status, who: is serving or has served in a senior position on the Joint Staff, the headquarters staff of a combatant command, or the headquarters staff of an armed force; and has experience in joint professional military education, joint qualification, and joint operations matters. g. A reserve officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is a general or flag officer recommended by the Chair and designated by the SecDef, who shall serve without vote, as: Military adviser to the Chair; Military executive officer of the RFPB; and Supervisor of the operations and staff of the RFPB. h. A senior enlisted member of a reserve component recommended by the Chair and designated by the SecDef, who shall serve without vote as enlisted military adviser to the Chair.

The appointment of RFPB members will be approved by the DoD Appointing Authority for a term of service of one-to-four years, with annual renewals, in accordance with DoD policy and procedures. No member, unless approved by the DoD Appointing Authority, may serve more than two consecutive terms of service on the RFPB, to include its subcommittees, or serve on more than two DoD Federal advisory committees at one time.

RFPB members who are not full-time or permanent part-time Federal civilian officers or employees, or active-duty members of the Uniformed Services, shall be appointed as experts or consultants pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3109 to serve as special government employee members. RFPB members who are full-time or permanent part-time Federal civilian officers or employees, or active-duty members of the Uniformed Services, shall be designated pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.130(a) to serve as regular government employee members.

All members of the RFPB are appointed to exercise their own best judgment on behalf of the DoD, without representing any particular point of view, and to discuss and deliberate in a manner that is free from conflicts of interest. With the exception of reimbursement of official RFPB-related travel and per diem, RFPB members serve without compensation.

The public or interested organizations may submit written statements to the RFPB about the RFPB's mission and functions. Written statements may be submitted at any time or in response to the stated agenda of planned meeting of the RFPB. All written statements shall be submitted to the DFO for the RFPB, and this individual will ensure that the written statements are provided to the membership for their consideration.

DoD is establishing the Defense Debt Management Records, DoD-0022 as a DoD-wide Privacy Act system of records. A DoD-wide system of records notice (SORN) supports DoD paper or electronic recordkeeping systems operated by more than one DoD component that maintain the same kind of information about individuals for the same purpose. Establishment of DoD-wide SORNs helps DoD standardize the rules governing the collection, maintenance, use, and sharing of personal information in key areas across the enterprise. DoD-wide SORNs also reduce duplicative and overlapping SORNs published by separate DoD components. The creation of DoD-wide SORNs is expected to make locating relevant SORNs easier for DoD personnel and the public and create efficiencies in the operation of the DoD privacy program.

This system covers debt management records maintained by all components of DoD, wherever they are maintained. The system consists of both electronic and paper records and will be used by DoD components to maintain records about debts owed from DoD-affiliated individuals, including Military service members, civilian employees, dependents and family members, contractors, and other individuals. Debts may include but are not limited to: (1) overdue debts owed to DoD, and (2) overpayment of benefits to individuals. The collection and maintenance of this information will assist the DoD in meeting its obligations under law, regulation, and policy to ensure debt management is successfully accomplished.

Additionally, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12), disclosures may be made from this system to consumer reporting agencies in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3711(e).

DoD SORNs have been published in the Federal Register and are available from the address in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or on the Privacy and Civil Liberties Directorate website at https://dpcld.defense.gov.

Under the Privacy Act, a “system of records” is a group of records under the control of an agency from which information is retrieved by the name of an individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual. In the Privacy Act, an individual is defined as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, the DoD has provided a report of this system of records to the OMB and to Congress.

In order for a student who does not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent to be eligible for title IV program assistance, the student must successfully complete one of the ATB alternatives (listed below) and be enrolled in an eligible career pathway program (ECPP)  1 pursuant to section 484(d)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).

The ATB alternatives are—

• Passing an independently administered ATB test approved by the Secretary;

• Completing at least six credit hours, or the equivalent coursework (225 clock hours), that are applicable toward a degree or certificate offered by the postsecondary institution; or

• Completing a State process approved by the Secretary.

With respect to the ATB test alternative, there are specific requirements for students whose native language is not English, and who are not fluent in English. Those students must comply with one of the three following options:

1. A student who is enrolled in a program that is taught in the student's native language must take an approved test developed in the student's native language pursuant to 34 CFR 668.153(a)(1). Currently there are no approved ATB tests in a language other than English. Therefore, these students must use one of the remaining two ATB alternatives to qualify for title IV aid;

2. A student who is enrolled in a program that is taught in English must take an ATB test designed to measure the English language competence of a non-native speaker. Students who are enrolled in such a program that has an “English as a Second Language” (ESL) component and who are enrolled in the ESL component, must take an approved ATB test specifically for a student whose native language is not English and who is not fluent in English, pursuant to 34 CFR 668.153(a)(2). Similarly, students who are enrolled in an ESL only program must take an approved ATB test specifically for a student whose native language is not English and who is not fluent in English, pursuant to 34 CFR 668.153(a)(2);

3. A student who is enrolled in a program that is taught in English without an ESL component, or does not enroll in the ESL component of the program, must take an ATB test in English that assesses secondary school verbal and quantitative skills, pursuant to 34 CFR 668.153(a)(3).

List of approved tests and passing scores: The Secretary lists below all approved ATB tests and their passing scores. The list is updated to reflect revisions to the list of approved ATB tests and passing scores that was published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2020 (85 FR 71326).

List of ATB tests that are no longer approved: The following tests are no longer included on the approved list of tests that may be used for the purpose of determining a student's eligibility for title IV program assistance. Please note the effective dates for each test.

1. Test: The ACT Career Programs Assessment test (CPAt)—Forms B and C.

Effective Dates: November 1, 2002, through June 30, 2015.

Passing Scores: Language Usage (42), Reading (43), and Numerical (41).

Publisher: ACT, Inc., 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168.

Contact: https://global.act.org/content/global/en/global-programs/contact-us.html.

2. Test: The ACT WorkKeys test—Reading for Information—Forms A01AA, A02AA, C01AA, & D10AA; Applied Mathematic—Forms A01BB, A02BB, C01BB, & D01BB.

Effective Dates: May 19, 2006, through June 30, 2015.

Passing Scores: Reading for Information Forms A01AA (76), A02AA (75), C01AA (77), & D10AA (77); Applied Mathematics Forms A01BB (73), A02BB (74), C01BB (73), & D01BB (73).

Publisher: ACT, Inc., 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168.

Contact: https://global.act.org/content/global/en/global-programs/contact-us.html.

3. Test: The College Board DTLS and DTMS Forms M-K-3KDT and M-K-3LDT tests.

Effective Dates: November 1, 2002, through April 27, 2007.

Passing Scores: Reading Comprehension (108), Sentence Structure (9), Conventions of Written English (309), and Arithmetic (506).

Publisher: The College Board, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281.

Contact: ACCUPLACER Program; Telephone: (866) 630-9305. Email: https://form.collegeboard.org/f/send-message.

4. Test: ASSET: Basic Skills Test (Reading, Writing, and Numerical)—Forms B2, C2, D2, and E2.

Effective Dates: November 1, 2002, through October 31, 2015.

Passing Scores: Reading (35), Writing (35), and Numerical (33).

Publisher: ACT, Inc., 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168.

Contact: https://global.act.org/content/global/en/global-programs/contact-us.html.

5. Test: COMPASS Subtests—Prealgebra/Numerical Skills.

Passing Scores: Prealgebra/Numerical (25), Reading (62), and Writing (32).

Effective Dates: November 1, 2002, through October 31, 2015.

Publisher: ACT, Inc., 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168.

Contact: https://global.act.org/content/global/en/global-programs/contact-us.html.

6. Test: COMPASS ESL.

Passing Scores: Grammar/Usage (64), Reading (70), and Listening (70).

Effective Dates: May 19, 2006, through October 31, 2015.

Publisher: ACT, Inc., 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168.

Contact: https://global.act.org/content/global/en/global-programs/contact-us.html.

7. Test: Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST) Verbal Forms VS-1 & VS-2, Quantitative Forms QS-1 & QS-2 Paper and pencil versions and online versions.

Effective Dates: July 1, 2015, through March 31, 2023.

Publisher: Wonderlic, Inc., 400 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 200, Vernon Hills, IL 60061.

Contact: https://wonderlic.com/contact-us/

8. Test: Spanish Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (Spanish WBST) Verbal Forms VS-1 & VS-2, Quantitative Forms QS-1 & QS-2 Paper and pencil versions and online versions.

Effective Dates: July 1, 2015 through March 31, 2023.

Publisher: Wonderlic, Inc., 400 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 200, Vernon Hills, IL 60061.

Contact: https://wonderlic.com/contact-us/.

Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format ( e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register . You may access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register , in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.

You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1091(d).

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: Assurance of Compliance—Civil Rights Certificate.

OMB Control Number: 1870-0503.

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

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

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 25.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 8.

Abstract: The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has enforcement responsibilities under several civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. To meet these responsibilities, OCR collects assurances of compliance from applicants for Federal financial assistance from, and applicants for funds made available through, the Department of Education, as required by regulations. These entities include, for example, State educational agencies, local education agencies, and postsecondary educational institutions. If a recipient violates one or more of these civil rights laws, OCR and the Department of Justice can use the signed assurances of compliance in an enforcement proceeding.

Background: The SAB was established pursuant to the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. 4365, to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the EPA Administrator on the scientific and technical basis for agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 10. The SAB will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Pursuant to FACA and EPA policy, notice is hereby given that the Science Advisory Board Inorganic Arsenic Review Panel will hold three public meetings to discuss the panel's draft report regarding the EPA's draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic.

Availability of meeting materials: All meeting materials, including the agenda, will be available on the SAB web page at https://sab.epa.gov.

Procedures for providing public input: Public comment for consideration by EPA's federal advisory committees and panels has a different purpose from public comment provided to EPA program offices. Therefore, the process for submitting comments to a federal advisory committee is different from the process used to submit comments to an EPA program office. Federal advisory committees and panels, including scientific advisory committees, provide independent advice to the EPA. Members of the public can submit relevant comments pertaining to the committee's charge or meeting materials. Input from the public to the SAB will have the most impact if it provides specific scientific or technical information or analysis for the SAB to consider or if it relates to the clarity or accuracy of the technical information. Members of the public wishing to provide comments should follow the instruction below to submit comments.

Oral statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a meeting conducted virtually will be limited to three minutes. Each person making an oral statement should consider providing written comments as well as their oral statement so that the points presented orally can be expanded upon in writing. Persons interested in providing oral statements should contact the DFO, in writing (preferably via email) at the contact information noted under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , by July 1, 2024, to be placed on the list of registered speakers for the July 8, 2024 meeting.

Written statements: Written statements will be accepted throughout the advisory process; however, for timely consideration by SAB members, statements should be submitted to the DFO by July 1, 2024, for consideration at the July 8, 2024 meeting. Written statements should be supplied to the DFO at the contact information above via email. Submitters are requested to provide an unsigned version of each document because the SAB Staff Office does not publish documents with signatures on its websites. Members of the public should be aware that their personal contact information if included in any written comments, may be posted to the SAB website. Copyrighted material will not be posted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Accessibility: For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact the DFO, at the contact information noted above, preferably at least ten days before the meetings, to give the EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

Meeting Cancellation: The July 22, 2024 meeting is tentative and may be canceled if the panel is able to complete its deliberations on July 16, 2024. If the July 22, 2024 meeting is canceled, notice will be posted on the SAB website.

GSA, in compliance with the FedRAMP Authorization Act of 2022 (the Act), established the FSCAC, a statutory advisory committee in accordance with the provisions of FACA, as amended (5 U.S.C. 10). The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) within GSA is responsible for providing a standardized, reusable approach to security assessment and authorization for cloud computing products and services that process unclassified information used by agencies.

The FSCAC will provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator of GSA, the FedRAMP Board, and agencies on technical, financial, programmatic, and operational matters regarding the secure adoption of cloud computing products and services. The FSCAC will ensure effective and ongoing coordination of agency adoption, use, authorization, monitoring, acquisition, and security of cloud computing products and services to enable agency mission and administrative priorities. The purposes of the Committee are:

• To examine the operations of FedRAMP and determine ways that authorization processes can continuously be improved, including the following:

○ Measures to increase agency reuse of FedRAMP authorizations.

○ Proposed actions that can be adopted to reduce the burden, confusion, and cost associated with FedRAMP authorizations for cloud service providers.

○ Measures to increase the number of FedRAMP authorizations for cloud computing products and services offered by small businesses concerns (as defined by section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)).

○ Proposed actions that can be adopted to reduce the burden and cost of FedRAMP authorizations for agencies.

• Collect information and feedback on agency compliance with, and implementation of, FedRAMP requirements.

• Serve as a forum that facilitates communication and collaboration among the FedRAMP stakeholder community.

The FSCAC will meet no fewer than three (3) times a calendar year. Meetings shall occur as frequently as needed, called, and approved by the DFO.

The July 16, 2024 public meeting will be dedicated to providing the Committee with additional information pertinent to their new initiatives. Presentations may be held on updates to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) draft Memorandum titled “Modernizing the Federal Risk Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)” (OMB Draft Memo), and a program update by FedRAMP. Deliberations will be held in order to develop an approach and plan for the Committee to deliver their next recommendations to the GSA Administrator. The meeting agenda will be posted on https://gsa.gov/fscac prior to the meeting.

This virtual meeting is open to the public. Meeting registration and information is available at https://gsa.gov/fscac. Registration for attending the virtual meeting is highly encouraged by 5:00 p.m. EST, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. After registration, individuals will receive instructions on how to attend the meeting via email.

For information on services for individuals with disabilities, or to request accommodation for a disability, please email the FSCAC staff at FSCAC@gsa.gov at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. Live captioning may be provided virtually.

Members of the public attending virtually will have the opportunity to provide oral public comment during the FSCAC meeting by indicating their preference when registering. Written public comments can be submitted at any time by completing the public comment form on our website, https://gsa.gov/fscac. All written public comments will be provided to FSCAC members in advance of the meeting if received by Monday, July 8, 2024.

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

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

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection; Titles of Information Collection: ASC Forms for Medicare Program Certification; Use: The form CMS-370 titled “Health Insurance Benefits Agreement” is used for the purpose of establishing an ASC's eligibility for payment under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the “Act”). This agreement, upon acceptance by the Secretary of Health & Human Services, shall be binding on the ASC and the Secretary. The agreement may be terminated by either party in accordance with regulations. In the event of termination of this agreement, payment will not be available for the ASC's services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after the effective date of termination.

The CMS-377 form is used by ASCs to initiate both the initial and renewal survey by the State Survey Agency, which provides the certification required for an ASC to participate in the Medicare program. An ASC must complete the CMS-377 form and send it to the appropriate State Survey Agency prior to their scheduled accreditation renewal date. The CMS-377 form provides the State Survey Agency with information about the ASC facility's characteristics, such as, determining the size and the composition of the survey team on the basis of the number of ORs/procedure rooms and the types of surgical procedures performed in the ASC. Form Numbers: CMS-370 and CMS-377 (OMB control number: 0938-0266); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector—Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions; Number of Respondents: 1,711; Total Annual Responses: 1,711; Total Annual Hours: 1,559. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Caroline Gallaher at 410-786-8705.)

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Outcome and Assessment Information Set OASIS-E1; Use: This request is to modify the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) that home health agencies (HHAs) are required to collect to participate in the Medicare program. The current OASIS version, OASIS-E, OMB control number 0938-1279, was approved by the OMB on November 30, 2022, and implemented on January 1, 2023. We are seeking OMB approval for the proposed revised OASIS data set, referred to hereafter as OASIS-E1, scheduled for implementation in the HH QRP on January 1, 2025. The OASIS-E1 includes changes related to addition of one item supporting an assessment-based quality measure (QM), removal of one item due to retirement of a QM, and removal of two data elements no longer used in the HH QRP or for other purposes in CMS programs. Form Number: CMS-10545 (OMB control number: 0938-1279); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 11,866; Total Annual Responses: 18,017,056; Total Annual Hours: 16,683,290. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Jermama Keys at 410-786-7778).

2. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection (Request for a new OMB control number); Title of Information Collection: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Annual Home Dialysis within Nursing Home Survey Form; Use: The End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network program is responsible to collect, validate, and analyze data as well as to evaluate the process by which facilities determine the appropriateness of patients for a treatment modality. Additional responsibilities of the ESRD Network program include encouraging participation in the placement of patients in a self-care setting, such as home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, as described in sec. 1881. [42 U.S.C. 1395rr] (c)(1)(A)(i)(2) of the Social Security Act. On September 21, 2018, CMS clarified guidance that residents in a nursing home facility can receive dialysis either administered and/or supervised by personnel who meet the criteria for training, and competency verification at 42 CFR 494.100(a) and (b) for providing dialysis. The provision of dialysis within a nursing home requires that the dialysis facility have an agreement with the nursing home. This guidance was reinforced and updated on March 22, 2023, in a memo to the State Survey Agency Directors titled, “Guidance and Survey Process for Reviewing Home Dialysis Services in a Nursing Home REVISED”. Since the provision of dialysis within nursing homes is relatively new, CMS designed the CMS-10842 form to capture home modality information from dialysis facilities that provide dialysis within the nursing home in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The care provided to residents of a nursing home is of particular interest because of the fragile health state of the patient and the susceptibility to infection. Each facility certification/survey record represents one provider. CMS-10842 collects information on dialysis facilities providing home dialysis services within the nursing home related to the number of patients, setting of dialysis services provided, who is providing dialysis services, who is providing dressing changes to dialysis access, staff education and use of CDC Core Interventions used. The aggregate patient information is collected from each Medicare-approved home dialysis provider to identify the specialized needs of the ESRD community where home dialysis is provided in Long Term Care facilities. Form Number: CMS-10842 (OMB control number: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Yearly; Affected Public: Private Sector (Business or other for-profit and Not-for-profit institutions); Number of Respondents: 7,726; Total Annual Responses: 7,726; Total Annual Hours: 5,795. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Christina Goatee at 410-786-6689).

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

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

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension without change of a previously approved collection; Title of Information Collection: State Permissions for Enrollment in Qualified Health Plans in the Federally-Facilitated Exchange & Non-Exchange Entities; Use: On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA; Pub. L. 111-148) was signed into law and on March 30, 2010, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-152) was signed into law. The two laws implement various health insurance policies. This Information Collection Request (ICR) serves as the renewal of the data collection clearance related to the ability of states to permit agents and brokers, as well as web-brokers, to assist qualified individuals, qualified employers, or qualified employees enrolling in Qualified Health Plans in the Federally Facilitated Exchange (45 CFR 155.220) and data collection requirements related to non-exchange entities. (45 CFR 155.260). Form Number: CMS-10650 (OMB control number: 0938-1327); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: Private Sector, State, Business, and Not-for Profits; Number of Respondents: 93,684; Number of Responses: 93,684; Total Annual Hours: 473,440. (For questions regarding this collection, contact Michele Oshman at (410-786-4396)).

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires federal agencies to publish a 30-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice that summarizes the following proposed collection(s) of information for public comment:

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Establishment of Qualified Health Plans and American Health Benefit Exchanges; Use: On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA; Pub. L. 111-148 ) was signed into law, and on March 30, 2010, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 ( Pub. L. 111-152 ) was signed into law. The two laws implement various health insurance policies. Section 1303 of the PPACA, as implemented in 45 CFR 156.280, specifies standards for issuers of qualified health plans (QHPs) through the Exchanges that cover abortion services for which public funding is prohibited (also referred to as non-Hyde abortion services or non-excepted abortion services). In the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans; Exchange Standards for Employers (2012 Exchange Establishment Rule) ( 77 FR 18310 ), we codified the statutory provisions of section 1303 of the PPACA in regulation at 45 CFR 156.280. Under 45 CFR 156.280(e)(5)(ii), each QHP issuer that offers coverage of abortion services for which public funding is prohibited must submit to the State Insurance Commissioner a segregation plan describing how the QHP issuer establishes and maintains separate allocation accounts for any QHP covering abortion services for which public funding is prohibited, and pursuant to § 156.280(e)(5)(iii), each QHP issuer must annually attest to compliance with PPACA section 1303 and applicable regulations. This segregation plan is used to verify that the QHP issuer's financial and other systems fully conform to the segregation requirements required by the PPACA.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is renewing this information collection request (ICR) in connection with the segregation plan requirement under 45 CFR 156.280(e)(5)(ii). The burden estimates for this collection of information renewal reflect the time and effort for QHP issuers to submit a segregation plan that demonstrates how the QHP issuer segregates QHP funds in accordance with applicable provisions of generally accepted accounting requirements, circulars on funds management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and guidance on accounting of the Government Accountability Office. CMS is also renewing the ICR in connection with the annual attestation requirement under 45 CFR 156.280(e)(5)(iii). The burden estimate for this ICR reflects the time and effort associated with QHP issuers submitting an annual attestation to the State Insurance Commissioner attesting to compliance with section 1303 of the PPACA. Form Number: CMS-10400 (OMB control number: 0938-1156); Frequency: Annually); Affected Public: Private Sector (business or other for-profits, not-for-profits institutions); Number of Respondents: 1,617; Number of Responses: 1,617; Total Annual Hours: 5,508.75. (For questions regarding this collection, contact Agata Pelka at 667-290-9979).

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension without change of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Disclosure Requirement for the In-Office Ancillary Services Exception; Use: Section 6003 of the ACA established a disclosure requirement for the in-office ancillary services exception to the prohibition of physician self-referral for certain imaging services. This section of the ACA amended section 1877(b)(2) of the Social Security Act by adding a requirement that the referring physician informs the patient, at the time of the referral and in writing, that the patient may receive the imaging service from another supplier. The implementing regulations are at 42 CFR 411.355(b)(7). Physicians who provide certain imaging services (MRI, CT, and PET) under the in-office ancillary services exception to the physician self-referral prohibition are required to provide the disclosure notice as well as the list of other imaging suppliers to the patient. The patient will then be able to use the disclosure notice and list of suppliers in making an informed decision about his or her course of care for the imaging service. CMS would use the collected information for enforcement purposes. Specifically, if we were investigating the referrals of a physician providing advanced imaging services under the in-office ancillary services exception, we would review the written disclosure in order to determine if it satisfied the requirement. Form Number: CMS-10332 (OMB control number 0938-1133); Frequency: Occasionally; Affected Public: Private Sector, Business or other for-profits and Not-for-profits institutions; Number of Respondents: 974,557; Total Annual Responses: 974,557; Total Annual Hours: 18,107. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Sabrina Teferi at 404-562-7251 or Sabrina.Teferi@cms.hhs.gov. )

The goals of the program are as follows:

1. Increase the number and type of innovations in PCTI care for Holocaust survivors, older adults with a history of trauma, and their family caregivers, and

2. Expand the capacity of the Aging Network to provide PCTI care to the populations it serves.

The administrative supplement for FY 2024 will be in the amount of $3,454,500, bringing the total award for FY 2023 to $8,389,500. The supplement will provide sufficient resources to enable the grantee and their partners, JFNA, to accomplish the following:

• Continue to address the significant needs of Holocaust survivors living in the United States and other older adults with histories of trauma and their family caregivers by:

○ Further expanding Innovations Program, deepening its focus on existing programs to make them more PCTI, and expand the program to additional communities;

○ Continued expansion of the Critical Supports Initiative to federation agencies and aging services providers together to identify and address the most critical needs and allocate additional resources accordingly to those needs. This component of the program allows each participating community to determine how to best allocate the resources available to meet the needs and form new partnerships to prevent emergencies; and

○ Growing the National Networks program to scale PCTI approaches to multiple locations/cities.

○ For all of these programs, the supplement will increase outreach, evaluation, technical assistance, and sub-grantee monitoring and financial oversight activities.

• Continued expansion and support of the grantee staff to solidify the infrastructure and framework to realize Congress' intent for the establishment and operation of a national resource center to provide training and technical assistance to agencies in the aging network delivering services to older individuals experiencing the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma, as described in section 411(14) of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. Doing so will enable JFNA to expand the reach and effectiveness of this project by broadening the technical assistance and capacity building activities in the following ways:

○ Growth and partnerships are essential for PCTI approaches to take root. The supplement will be used to increase the ways in which this can be accomplished, including re-launching an Aging and Trauma Workgroup and an Educational Advisory Committee, ensuring the voices of Holocaust survivors, other older adults with histories of trauma and their family caregivers are represented; enabling the grantee to develop and implement an action plan to work with foundations.

○ Thought leadership in the field of PCTI care is greatly needed for it to take root as standard practice in the aging services network. The supplement will: (1) permit the expansion of the grantee's PCTI training program; (2) provide the resources necessary to fund the development of a family caregiving roadmap to support PCTI approaches to implementing the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers; and (3) further develop and expand the field and practice of PCTI evaluation approaches and practices already begun under this project, but on a limited basis.

○ Sustainability and efficiency are key to any demonstration project. The supplement will enable JFNA to explore technology enhancements to streamline the sub-grant management process, bring on additional staff to manage expanded expectations and work, including growth, and enhance program oversight, monitoring, evaluation, and additional activities proportional to the increased funding and expectations resulting from this supplement.

Program Name: Expanding the National Capacity for Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) Care: Services and Supports for Holocaust Survivors and Other Older Adults with a History of Trauma and Their Family Caregivers.

Recipient: The Jewish Federations of North America.

Period of Performance: The supplement award will be issued for the third year of the five-year project period of September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025.

Total Award Amount: $8,389,500 in FY 2024.

Award Type: Cooperative Agreement Supplement.

Statutory Authority: The Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965, as amended, Public Law 109-365—title 4, section 411.

Basis for Award: The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is currently funded to carry out the objectives of the project entitled “Expanding the National Capacity for Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) Care: Services and Supports for Holocaust Survivors and Other Older Adults with a History of Trauma and Their Family Caregivers” for the period of September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2025. Since project implementation began in late 2020, the grantee has accomplished a great deal. This supplement will enable the grantee to carry their work even further, serving more Holocaust survivors, other older adults with histories of trauma, family caregivers and to train more professionals in the principles of PCTI. The additional funding will not be used to begin new projects or activities.

The JFNA is uniquely positioned to complete the work called for under this project. JFNA's partners on this project include the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies, KAVOD, the Conference on Material Claims Against Germany (the Claims Conference), USAging, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, LeadingAge, Habitat for Humanity International, University of Buffalo School of Social Work Institute on Trauma & Trauma-Informed Care, National Council on Aging, Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice, and SAGE represent a broad cross-section of the aging services networks with equities in this area.

Establishing an entirely new grant project at this time would be potentially disruptive to the current work already well under way. More importantly, the Holocaust survivors and other older adults currently being served by this project could be negatively impacted by a service disruption, thus posing the risk of re-traumatization and further negative impacts on health and wellbeing. If this supplement is not provided, the project would be less able to address the significant unmet health and social support needs of additional Holocaust survivors and other older adults with histories of trauma. Similarly, the project would be unable to expand its current technical assistance and training efforts in PCTI concepts and approaches, let alone reach beyond traditional providers of services to this population to train more “mainstream” providers of aging services. Finally, providing this supplement to JFNA will allow for the greater realization of Congress' intent in section 411(14)(A) of the Older Americans Act, as amended, which calls for the establishment of a national resource center to provide training, technical assistance and sub-grants in this area.

Notice is hereby given that on June 10, 2024, CBP issued a final determination concerning the country of origin of various models of LED display panels sold under the UPanelS brand for purposes of title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979. This final determination, HQ H332752, was issued at the request Unilumin USA LLC (Unilumin), under procedures set forth at 19 CFR part 177, subpart B, which implements Title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2511-18). In the final determination, CBP has concluded that, based upon the facts presented, the components, which are largely sourced from China and Taiwan, are substantially transformed in Taiwan when made into the subject UPanelS devices.

Section 177.29, CBP Regulations (19 CFR 177.29), provides that notice of final determinations shall be published in the Federal Register within 60 days of the date the final determination is issued. Section 177.30, CBP Regulations (19 CFR 177.30), provides that any party-at-interest, as defined in 19 CFR 177.22(d), may seek judicial review of a final determination within 30 days of publication of such determination in the Federal Register .

Notice is hereby given that on June 10, 2023, CBP issued a final determination concerning the country of origin of five models of thermal printers for purposes of Title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979. This final determination, HQ H328859, was issued at the request of Brother Mobile Solutions, Inc. (“Brother”), under procedures set forth at 19 CFR part 177, subpart B, which implements Title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2511-18). In the final determination, CBP has concluded that, based upon the facts presented, the components, which are largely sourced from China, are not substantially transformed in Japan when made into the subject thermal printers.

Section 177.29, CBP Regulations (19 CFR 177.29), provides that notice of final determinations shall be published in the Federal Register within 60 days of the date the final determination is issued. Section 177.30, CBP Regulations (19 CFR 177.30), provides that any party-at-interest, as defined in 19 CFR 177.22(d), may seek judicial review of a final determination within 30 days of publication of such determination in the Federal Register .

The notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas is hereby amended to include the following areas among those areas determined to have been adversely affected by the event declared a major disaster by the President in his declaration of May 17, 2024.

The notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas is hereby amended to include the following areas among those areas determined to have been adversely affected by the event declared a major disaster by the President in his declaration of May 17, 2024.

Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated May 3, 2024, the President issued a major disaster declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), as follows:

The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed six months after the date of this declaration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Andrew P. Meyer, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this major disaster.

The following areas of the State of Nebraska have been designated as adversely affected by this major disaster:

Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated May 22, 2024, the President issued a major disaster declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), as follows:

The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed six months after the date of this declaration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, E. Craig Levy Sr., of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this major disaster.

The following areas of the Commonwealth of Kentucky have been designated as adversely affected by this major disaster:

The notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas is hereby amended to include the following areas among those areas determined to have been adversely affected by the event declared a major disaster by the President in his declaration of May 17, 2024.

Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated April 19, 2024, the President issued a major disaster declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), as follows:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Andrew F. Grant, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this major disaster.

The following areas have been designated as adversely affected by this major disaster:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes the final flood hazard determinations as shown in the LOMRs for each community listed in the table below. Notice of these modified flood hazard determinations has been published in newspapers of local circulation and 90 days have elapsed since that publication. The Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation has resolved any appeals resulting from this notification.

The modified flood hazard determinations are made pursuant to section 206 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. 4105, and are in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq., and with 44 CFR part 65. The currently effective community number is shown and must be used for all new policies and renewals.

The new or modified flood hazard information is the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

This new or modified flood hazard information, together with the floodplain management criteria required by 44 CFR 60.3, are the minimum that are required. They should not be construed to mean that the community must change any existing ordinances that are more stringent in their floodplain management requirements. The community may at any time enact stricter requirements of its own or pursuant to policies established by other Federal, State, or regional entities.

This new or modified flood hazard determinations are used to meet the floodplain management requirements of the NFIP. The changes in flood hazard determinations are in accordance with 44 CFR 65.4.

Interested lessees and owners of real property are encouraged to review the final flood hazard information available at the address cited below for each community or online through the FEMA Map Service Center at https://msc.fema.gov.