The Federal Register

Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing amendments to its procedures for implementing the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This proposed rule also includes minor, technical amendments to the Agency's procedures for implementing Executive Order 12114, ``Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions.''

This proposed rule would amend EPA's NEPA implementing procedures by: consolidating and standardizing the procedural provisions and requirements of the Agency's environmental review process under NEPA; clarifying the general procedures associated with categorical exclusions, consolidating the categories of actions subject to categorical exclusion, amending existing and adding new categorical exclusions, and consolidating and amending existing and adding new extraordinary circumstances; consolidating and amending the listing of actions that generally require an environmental impact statement; clarifying the procedural requirem

Publication of Interim Guidance on the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The purpose of this notice is to: (1) Announce the publication of interim CMAQ guidance; and (2) solicit public comment on the contents of the interim guidance. Sections 1101, 1103 and 1808 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEALU) (Pub. L. 10959, Aug. 10, 2005) amended the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program, and authorizes $8.6 billion to support the CMAQ program in 20052009. The interim guidance went into effect October 31, 2006; however, we will review all comments submitted to the docket and will modify the guidance as necessary or appropriate.

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on Petitions to List the Mono Basin Area Population of

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90day finding on two petitions to list the Mono Basin area population of greater sagegrouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the BiState area of California and Nevada as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We find that the petitions do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing this population may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating a status review in response to these petitions. We ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of this population or threats to it or its habitat at any time.

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule to List Penstemon grahamii (Graham's

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), withdraw the proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2006 (71 FR 3158), to list Penstemon grahamii (Graham's beardtongue) as a threatened species with critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. We have determined that listing is not warranted because threats to the species as identified in the January 19, 2006, proposed rule are not significant, and available data do not indicate that the threats to the species and its habitat, as analyzed under the five listing factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Act, are likely to threaten or endanger the species in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Our decision to withdraw the proposed rule to list Penstemon grahamii also removes the species from candidate status under the Act.

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

___________________________________________________________________ Title 3--
The President
[[Page 76109]]
Proclamation 8091 of December 15, 2006

Wright Brothers Day, 2006
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
America has a rich history of exploration and discovery, marked by scientific and technological achievements that have transformed the world. On Wright Brothers Day, we remember two aviation pioneers from Ohio whose big dreams and extraordinary accomplishments helped change the course of human history.
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright completed the first manned, powered flight in history and ushered all of mankind into a new era of possibility and promise. With Orville at the controls, the Wright brothers' small aircraft traveled 120 feet in 12 seconds above the dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The age of flight had begun, and in the decades that followed, advancements in aviation would enable determined American risk-takers to cross oceans, break the sound barrier, and walk on the Moon. Today, our Nation follows the Wright brothers' example of innovation as we continue to explore the frontiers of air and space. My Administration has outlined a vision for space exploration that includes a return to the Moon and a long-term human and robotic program to explore Mars and the solar system. By working to expand the realm of the possible, we can gain a better understanding of the universe and continue the journey that the Wright brothers began more than a century ago. The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as ``Wright Brothers Day'' and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2006, as Wright Brothers Day.
[[Page 76110]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 06-9802
Filed 12-18-06; 11:34 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P

Agency Information Collection Activities: Revision of an Existing Information Collection; Comment Request

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on October 13, 2006, at 71 FR
[[Page 75970]]
60557, allowing for a 60day public comment period. USCIS did not receive any comments for this information collection.

The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until January 18, 2007. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) US

Agency Information Collection Activities: Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has submitted the following information collection request for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for sixty days until February 20, 2007.

Written comments and suggestions regarding items contained in this notice, and especially with regard to the estimated public burden and associated response time should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USCIS, Director, Regulatory Management Division, Clearance Office, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 3rd floor, Suite 3008, Washington, DC 20529. Comments may also be submitted to DHS via facsimile to 2022728352, or via email at rfs.regs@dhs.gov. When submitting comments by email add the OMB Control Number 16150014 in the subject box.

Proposed Revised Content for English, U.S. History and Government Test for Naturalization Applicants

Tue, Dec 19 2006 11:00:00 GMT

This notice announces that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be conducting a pilot of a redesigned naturalization test. Applicants for naturalization must, among other things, demonstrate an understanding of the English language, a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, and the principles and form of government in the United States. Currently the naturalization testing process and test content vary in each USCIS district office. USCIS plans to revise the naturalization testing process to ensure that the naturalization testing process is uniform. Thus, a newly redesigned English reading and writing test, as well as the U.S. history and government test, will be pilot tested in the following, randomly selected sites:

Albany, New York suboffice; Boston, Massachusetts, District Office; Kansas City, Missouri, District Office; Charleston, South Carolina suboffice; El Paso, Texas District Office; San Antonio, Texas District Office; Miami, Florida Distri