The Federal Register

Notice of Cancellation of Environmental Impact Statement for the Eastern Plains Transmission Project (EPTP), Eastern

Tue, Sep 2 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration (Western) is canceling the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal by Western to participate with TriState Generation and Transmission Association, Incorporated (TriState), in the construction of the Eastern Plains Transmission Project (EPTP). Western would have obtained 275 megawatts of capacity rights on the proposed transmission lines by participating in the EPTP. The EIS would have addressed the construction, operation, and maintenance of approximately 1,000 miles of highvoltage transmission lines and ancillary facilities, which included substations, fiber optic installation, access roads, and construction staging areas. Western issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the EPTP in the Federal Register on August 2, 2006 (71 FR 43733), and conducted 10 public scoping meetings throughout the project area from August 28 through September 14, 2006. Additional public meetings were held in Februar

Central Valley Project--Rate Order No. WAPA-139

Tue, Aug 19 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This action is to temporarily extend the existing formula rates for power, transmission, and ancillary services for the Central Valley Project (CVP), transmission service on the CaliforniaOregon Transmission Project (COTP), transmission service on the Pacific Alternating Current Intertie (PACI), and thirdparty transmission service through September 30, 2011. This action also extends the Western Area Power Administration's (Western) recovery methodology of the Path 15 revenue requirement through September 30, 2011. Without this extension, formula rates for power, transmission, and ancillary services for the CVP, transmission service on the COTP, transmission service on the PACI, and thirdparty transmission service will expire September 30, 2009.

Loveland Area Projects--Rate Order No. WAPA-141

Tue, Aug 19 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This action is being taken to extend the existing Loveland Area Projects (LAP) transmission and ancillary services formula rates through February 28, 2011. The existing LAP transmission and ancillary services formula rates will expire February 28, 2009, with the exception of the Regulation and Frequency Response service rate which expires May 31, 2011.

Medicare Program; Changes to the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems and Fiscal Year 2009 Rates; Payments

Tue, Aug 19 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We are revising the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment systems (IPPS) for operating and capitalrelated costs to implement changes arising from our continuing experience with these systems, and to implement certain provisions made by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the Medicare Improvements and Extension Act, Division B, Title I of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the TMA, Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007, and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. In addition, in the Addendum to this final rule, we describe the changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the rates for Medicare hospital inpatient services for operating costs and capitalrelated costs. These changes are generally applicable to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2008. We also are setting forth the update to the rateofincrease limits for certain hospitals and hospital units excluded from the IPPS that are paid on a reasonable cost basi

Loveland Area Projects--Rate Order No. WAPA-142

Fri, Aug 15 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing revised rates for Loveland Area Projects (LAP) firm electric service. LAP consists of the FryingpanArkansas Project (FryArk) and the Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program (PickSloan)Western Division, which were integrated for marketing and ratemaking purposes in 1989. Current rates, under Rate Schedule LF7, expire on December 31, 2012, but are not sufficient to meet LAP revenue requirements. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expenses, and repay the required investment within the allowable period. Western will prepare and make available a brochure that provides detailed information on the proposed rates. The proposed rates, under Rate Schedule LF8, are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2009, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, or until superseded. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed rate adjustment.

Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern Division--Rate Order No. WAPA-140

Fri, Aug 15 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing revised rates for PickSloan Missouri Basin ProgramEastern Division (PSMBPED) firm electric and firm peaking power service. Current rates, under Rate Schedules PSEDF9 and PSEDFP9, extend through December 31, 2012, but are not sufficient to meet the PSMBPED revenue requirements. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expenses, and repay required investments within the allowable periods. Western will prepare and make available a brochure that provides detailed information on the proposed rates. The proposed rates, under Rate Schedules PSEDF10 and PSEDFP10, are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2009, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, or until superseded. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed rate adjustment.

Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless

Fri, Aug 15 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.

Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies (Standby Mode and Off

Fri, Aug 15 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend its test procedures for battery chargers and external power supplies to include provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode energy consumption, as directed by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. DOE also proposes to add a test procedure for measuring the energy consumption of multiplevoltage external power supplies. In addition, DOE proposes to make revisions to the singlevoltage external power supply test procedure. DOE also proposes to extend the current certification reporting requirements to the Class A external power supplies for which Congress established energy efficiency standards in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Finally, DOE announces a public meeting to receive comment on this proposal and the issues presented in this notice.

Priority of Service for Covered Persons

Fri, Aug 15 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is proposing a rule to implement priority of service in qualified job training programs prescribed in section 2(a)(1) of the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA). The Department undertakes this rulemaking in accordance with section 605 of the Veterans' Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, which requires the Department to implement priority of service via regulation. The Department seeks comments on this proposed rule.

Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded

Fri, Aug 15 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter, Service or we) proposes special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, offreservation trust lands, and ceded lands for the 200809 migratory bird hunting season.

Boulder Canyon Project

Tue, Aug 12 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Deputy Secretary of Energy approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Base Charge and Rates (Rates) for Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) electric service provided by the Western Area Power Administration (Western). The Rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repay investments within the allowable period.

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Devils River Minnow

Tue, Aug 12 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 26.5 stream kilometers (km) (16.5 stream miles (mi)) are within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The critical habitat is located in streams in Val Verde and Kinney Counties, Texas.

Washoe Project-Rate Order No. WAPA-136

Tue, Jul 22 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Deputy Secretary of Energy confirmed and approved Rate Order No. WAPA136 and Rate Schedule SNF7, placing a nonfirm power formula rate from the Stampede Powerplant (Stampede) of the Washoe Project of the Western Area Power Administration (Western) into effect on an interim basis. The provisional rate will be in effect until the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) confirms, approves, and places it into effect on a final basis or until it is replaced by another rate. The provisional rate will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repayment of power investment within allowable periods.

Post-2009 Resource Pool--Loveland Area Projects

Mon, Jul 7 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Western Area Power Administration (Western), a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy, is publishing this response to letters of interest and comments resulting from Western's Notice of Request for Letters of Interest in the Federal Register (72 FR 34679), dated June 25, 2007. The notice provided an opportunity for potential new eligible customers to indicate an interest in receiving an allocation of Federal power, and for the public to comment on appropriate purposes for the Loveland Area Projects (LAP) Post2009 proposed resource pool. This Federal Register notice summarizes the letters of interest and comments received by Western's Rocky Mountain Region (RMR), and Western's plans to proceed with Post2009 resource pool allocations.

Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY

Mon, Jul 7 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This proposed rule would address proposed changes to Medicare Part B payment policy. We are proposing these changes to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services. This proposed rule also discusses refinements to resourcebased practice expense (PE) relative value units (RVUs); geographic practice cost indices (GPCI) changes; malpractice RVUs; requests for additions to the list of telehealth services; several coding issues; payment for covered outpatient drugs and biologicals; the competitive acquisition program (CAP); application of health professional shortage area (HPSA) bonus payments; payment for renal dialysis services; performance standards for mobile independent diagnostic testing facilities; and physician and nonphysician practitioners furnishing diagnostic testing services; a solicitation for comments regarding the use of the Federal Payment Levy Program to recover delinquent Federal tax debts; a proposed amendme

Energy Planning and Management Program; Integrated Resource Planning Rules

Fri, Jun 20 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is publishing this final rule to adopt revisions to current regulations that require customers to prepare integrated resource plans (IRP). These revisions are the result of a periodic review of IRP regulations. On August 21, 2007, Western published a Federal Register notice proposing three changes to its integrated resource planning rules. The first change proposed to eliminate the requirement that a memberbased association's (MBA) members unanimously approve the MBA's IRP. Approval would only be required by the MBA's governing body. The second change proposed language to encourage customers to prepare regional IRPs even if a customer is not a member of an MBA. The third change proposed to make customer IRPs more readily available to the public by requiring customers to post their IRPs on a publicly available Web site.

874, 875, 876, 879, 880, 882, 884, 885, 886, and 887

Fri, Jun 20 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are proposing regulation changes to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (Fund) and the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program. This proposed rule revises our regulations to be consistent with the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109432, signed into law on December 20, 2006, which included the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2006 (the 2006 amendments). The proposed rule reflects the extension of our statutory authority to collect reclamation fees for an additional fourteen years and to reduce the fee rates. This proposal also updates the regulations in light of the statutory amendments that change the activities State and Tribal reclamation programs may perform under the AML program, funding for reclamation grants to States and Indian tribes, and transfers to the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Combined Benefit Fund (CBF), the UMWA 1992 Benefit Plan, and the UMWA Multiemployer Health Bene

Manufactured Home Installation Program

Fri, Jun 20 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This final rule establishes a federal manufactured home installation program, as required by section 605(c)(2)(A) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974. States that have their own installation programs that include the elements required by statute are permitted to administer, under their state installation programs, the new requirements established through this final rulemaking. The new elements required by statute to be integrated into an acceptable state manufactured home installation program are: The establishment of qualified installation standards; the licensing and training of installers; and the inspection of the installation of manufactured homes.

Milk in the Northeast and Other Marketing Areas; Tentative Partial Final Decision on Proposed Amendments and

Fri, Jun 20 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This tentative partial final decision proposes to adopt changes to the manufacturing cost allowances and the butterfat yield factor used in Class III and Class IV productprice formulas applicable to all Federal milk marketing orders on an interim basis. A separate decision regarding the collection of manufacturing cost information, the use of an energy cost adjustor and providing for a cost addon feature to Class III and Class IV productpricing formulas will be addressed in a separate decision. This tentative partial decision requires determining if producers approve the issuance of the amended orders on an interim basis.

Fri, Jun 20 2008 11:00:00 GMT

___________________________________________________________________ Title 3--
The President
[[Page 35335]]
Notice of June 18, 2008

Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation Created by the Accumulation of Weapons-Usable Fissile Material in the Territory of the Russian Federation
On June 21, 2000, President Clinton issued Executive Order 13159 (the ``order'') blocking property and interests in property of the Government of the Russian Federation that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons that are directly related to the implementation of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons, dated February 18, 1993, and related contracts and agreements (collectively, the ``HEU Agreements''). The HEU Agreements allow for the downblending of highly enriched uranium derived from nuclear weapons to low enriched uranium for peaceful commercial purposes. The order invoked the authority, inter alia, of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and declared a national emergency to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by the risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation.
[[Page 35336]]
The national emergency declared on June 21, 2000, must continue beyond June 21, 2008, to provide continued protection from attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process for the property and interests in property of the Government of the Russian Federation that are directly related to the implementation of the HEU Agreements and subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Therefore, in accordance with section 202 (d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to the risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of weapons- usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 18, 2008.
[FR Doc. 08-1375
Filed 6-19-08; 10:26 am]
Billing code 3195-W8-P

Foreign Trade Regulations: Mandatory Automated Export System Filing for All Shipments Requiring Shipper's Export

Mon, Jun 2 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) issues this final rule to amend its regulations to implement provisions in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. Specifically, the Census Bureau is requiring mandatory filing of export information through the Automated Export System (AES) or through AESDirect for all shipments where a Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) is required.

Impact Aid Programs

Mon, Jun 2 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Secretary proposes to amend regulations governing the Impact Aid program under Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Act), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The program, in general, provides assistance for maintenance and operations costs to local educational agencies (LEAs) that are affected by Federal activities. These proposed regulations are necessary to clarify and improve the administration of payments under section 8002 of the Act relating to the Federal acquisition of real property.

Information Collection Request Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval Under the

Mon, Jun 2 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This notice announces that Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the Department of Energy (DOE), has sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, comment and approval. Western submitted the ICR as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.\1\ The ICR described below identifies the proposal including the anticipated public burdens. On January 30, 2008, Western published a notice in the Federal Register inviting public comments on the ICR.\2\ That notice provided a 60 day comment period. Western has included a summary of the comments and Western's responses below. As described below, Western invites interested entities to submit comments to OMB.
\1\ See 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

\2\ See 73 FR 5555 (2008).

Western is collecting this data to properly perform its function of marketing a limited amount of Federal hydropower. Western will use the collected data to evaluate who will receive an allocation of Fe

Findings for the Sacramento Area Voltage Support Project (DOE/ EIS-0323S1)

Tue, May 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Western Area Power Administration (Western) plans to construct a new doublecircuit, 230kilovolt (kV) transmission line,
approximately 31 miles long, between Western's O'Banion Substation and the area just south of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District's (SMUD) Elverta Substation and reconstruct SMUD's existing 230 kV/115 kV transmission line between SMUD's Elverta and Natomas substations. The Sacramento Area Voltage Support (SVS) Project (Project) would be located in Sutter, Placer, and Sacramento counties in California. Western proposes to build the Project to provide needed transmission system additions and upgrades to maintain system voltage stability, reliability, and security. Western evaluated seven action alternatives and the No Action Alternative in its supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS). Of these, Alternative B was selected as both the Preferred Alternative and the Environmentally Preferred Action Alternative.

Control of Emissions of Air Pollution From Locomotive Engines and Marine Compression-Ignition Engines Less Than 30

Tue, May 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

EPA is adopting a comprehensive program to dramatically reduce pollution from locomotives and marine diesel engines. The controls will apply to all types of locomotives, including linehaul, switch, and passenger, and all types of marine diesel engines below 30 liters per cylinder displacement, including commercial and recreational, propulsion and auxiliary. The nearterm emission standards for newly built engines will phase in starting in 2009. The nearterm program also includes new emission limits for existing locomotives and marine diesel engines that apply when they are remanufactured, and take effect as soon as certified remanufacture systems are available, as early as 2008. The longterm emissions standards for newlybuilt locomotives and marine diesel engines are based on the application of highefficiency catalytic aftertreatment technology. These standards begin to take effect in 2015 for locomotives and in 2014 for marine diesel engines. We estimate particulate matter (PM) reductions of 90

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus

Tue, May 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Louisiana black bear under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Concurrently, we withdraw our December 2, 1993, proposal for Louisiana black bear critical habitat (58 FR 63560). In total, approximately 1,330,000 acres (538,894 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of this proposed critical habitat designation. The proposed critical habitat is located in Avoyelles, East Carroll, Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin, Iberia, Iberville, Madison, Pointe Coupee, Richland, St. Martin, St. Mary, Tensas, West Carroll, and West Feliciana Parishes, Louisiana.

Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order

Tue, May 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This rule establishes an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for sorghum, which includes but is not limited to, grain sorghum, sorghum forage, sorghum hay, sorghum haylage, sorghum billets, and sorghum silage. For the purpose of clarity, the term sorghum means all the above mentioned types of sorghum unless specifically identified otherwise. The Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) is implemented under the authority of the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (Act). The Order will establish a national Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Board (Board) comprised initially of 13 sorghum producers. Producers and importers will pay assessments based on the value of the sorghum they produce or import. A referendum will be conducted 3 years after assessments begin to determine if sorghum producers and importers favor the program.

Non-Substantive Revisions to the Table of Frequency Allocations

Tue, May 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This document makes non-substantive, editorial revisions to the Commission's Table of Frequency Allocations (Allocation Table) and to various other Commission Rules. The purpose of this action is to update and clarify the Allocation Table, to remove obsolete and outdated provisions from the Commission's Rules, and to ensure that the Allocation Table and related rules are consistent with the Commission's decisions in recent rulemaking proceedings.

Tue, May 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

___________________________________________________________________ Title 3--
The President
[[Page 25501]]
Proclamation 8250 of April 30, 2008

Law Day, U.S.A., 2008
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
The right of ordinary men and women to determine their own future, protected by the rule of law, lies at the heart of America's founding principles. As our country celebrates the 50th anniversary of Law Day, we renew our commitment to the ideals on which this great Nation was established and to a robust system of ordered liberty.
The American legal system is central to protecting the rights and freedoms our Nation holds dear. The theme of this year's Law Day, ``The Rule of Law: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity,'' recognizes the fundamental role that the rule of law plays in preserving liberty in our Nation and in all free societies. We pay tribute to the men and women in America's legal community. Through hard work and dedication to the rule of law, members of the judiciary and the legal profession help secure the rights of individuals, bring justice to our communities, and reinforce the proud traditions that make America a beacon of light for the world.
Nearly 800 years ago, the Magna Carta placed the authority of government under the rule of law; centuries later, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution marked tremendous advances in the march of liberty. These documents established enduring principles that guide modern democracies. Today, we are reminded of that past and look toward a hopeful future as we work to secure the liberty that is the natural right of every man, woman, and child.
On Law Day, U.S.A., our Nation celebrates our belief in the equality of each person before God and renews our commitment to strive to bring America ever closer to its founding ideals.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, in accordance with Public Law 87-20, as amended, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as Law Day, U.S.A. I call upon all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call upon Government officials to display the flag of the United States in support of this national observance.
[[Page 25502]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 08-1223
Filed 5-2-08; 8:57 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P

2015 Resource Pool

Mon, May 5 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a Federal power marketing administration of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), published its 2004 Power Marketing Plan (Marketing Plan) for Western's Sierra Nevada Customer Service Region (SNR) in the Federal Register on June 25, 1999 (64 FR 34417). The Marketing Plan specifies the terms and conditions under which Western will market power from the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the Washoe Project beginning January 1, 2005, and continuing through December 31, 2024. The Marketing Plan provides for a 2015 Resource Pool of up to 2 percent of SNR's marketable power resources. The 2015 Resource Pool will be available for power allocations to preference entities that meet the Eligibility Criteria. This notice begins the public process to establish the resources available and to revise the Eligibility Criteria provided in the Marketing Plan for the 2015 Resource Pool. Once Western establishes the final amount of power to be made available under the

Parker-Davis Project-Rate Order No. WAPA-138

Tue, Apr 29 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing modifications to the rate methodology used to develop ParkerDavis Project (PDP) firm electric and transmission service formula rates. The modifications to the rate methodology will change the allocation factors used to apportion certain expenses between generation and transmission revenue requirements. The firm electric and transmission service rates resulting from the rate methodology modifications are equal to current rates and will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repayment of required investment within the allowable period. Western is also proposing changes to the current billing practices for PDP longterm firm transmission service. Under the proposed billing changes, customers will be required to pay for longterm firm transmission service one month in advance of service. Western will prepare a brochure that provides detailed information on the modifications and proposed firm ele

Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships

Tue, Apr 29 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This rule requires, consistent with international law, certain ships to report identifying and position data electronically. This rule implements an amendment to chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), regulation 191, and enables the Coast Guard to correlate Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) data with data from other sources, detect anomalies, and heighten our overall Maritime Domain Awareness. This rule is consistent with the Coast Guard's strategic goals of maritime security and maritime safety, and the Department's strategic goals of awareness, prevention, protection, and response.

Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects Firm Power, Colorado River Storage Project Transmission and Ancillary

Mon, Mar 24 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Western initiated a public process to modify the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP) firm power rates and extend the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) transmission and ancillary services rates by publishing a notice in the Federal Register on January 4, 2008. Western held a Public Information Forum on February 5, 2008, and a Public Comment Forum on March 4, 2008.

Western is extending the comment and consultation period to allow sufficient time to finalize the 2010 Work Program Review (WPR), which forms the basis of the operation, maintenance and replacement (OM&R) expenses, to propose a twostep increase and to add clarification to the Spinning and Supplement Reserves (SPSSR3) rates. In conjunction with extending the comment and consultation period, Western will hold an additional public information forum and public comment forum on April 10, 2008. Information will be provided at this public information forum and also on the CRSP Management Center Web site under the ``FY 20

Family Educational Rights and Privacy

Mon, Mar 24 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations governing education records maintained by educational agencies and institutions under section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act, which is also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA). These proposed regulations are needed to implement amendments to FERPA contained in the USA Patriot Act and the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, to implement two U.S. Supreme Court decisions interpreting FERPA, and to make necessary changes identified as a result of the Department's experience administering FERPA and current regulations. These changes would clarify permissible disclosures to parents of eligible students and conditions that apply to disclosures in health and safety emergencies; clarify permissible disclosures of student identifiers as directory information; allow disclosures to contractors and other outside parties in connection with the outsourcing of institutional services and functions; revise t

National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings

Mon, Mar 24 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This action promulgates national emission standards for the aerosol coatings (aerosol spray paints) category under section 183(e) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The standards implement section 183(e) of the CAA, as amended in 1990, which requires the Administrator to control volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions from certain categories of consumer and commercial products for purposes of reducing VOC emissions contributing to ozone formation and ozone nonattainment. This regulation establishes nationwide reactivitybased standards for aerosol coatings. States have previously promulgated rules for the aerosol coatings category based upon reductions of VOC by mass; however, EPA has concluded that a national rule based upon the relative reactivity approach will achieve more reduction in ozone formation than may be achieved by a massbased approach for this specific product category. This rule will better control a product's contribution to ozone formation by encouraging the use of less reactive VOC

Washoe Project--Rate Order No. WAPA-136

Wed, Feb 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing a minor rate adjustment for nonfirm energy from the Stampede Powerplant (Stampede), of the Washoe Project, located in Sierra County, California. The current rate expires September 30, 2010. The proposed formula rate will provide sufficient revenue to repay all annual costs, including interest expense, and repayment of required investment within the allowable period. Western will prepare a brochure that provides detailed information on the formula rate to all interested parties. The proposed formula rate, under Rate Schedule SNF7, is scheduled to go into effect August 1, 2008, and will remain in effect through July 31, 2013. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed rate.

Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 108--Mitsubishi MU-2B Series Airplane Special Training, Experience, and

Wed, Feb 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) creates new pilot training, experience, and operating requirements for persons operating the Mitsubishi MU2B series airplane (MU2B). These requirements follow an increased accident and incident rate in the MU 2B and are based on a Federal Aviation Administration safety evaluation of the MU2B. This SFAR mandates additional training, experience, and operating requirements to improve the level of operational safety for the MU2B.

Independent Public Accountant Roster

Wed, Feb 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This proposed rule would establish a roster of approved independent public accountants and public accounting firms (IPAs) that would be permitted to perform audits or related services required by participants in certain HUD programs and submitted to HUD. The proposed rule would also establish eligibility, application, and removal procedures for IPAs listed on the IPA Roster. HUD believes this proposed rule would implement an additional protection to ensure the accuracy of financial data submitted to HUD by its program participants.

Wed, Feb 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

___________________________________________________________________ Title 3--
The President
[[Page 7181]]
Executive Order 13458 of February 4, 2008

Implementation of the Protocol Additional to the Agreement Between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the United States Additional Protocol Implementation Act (the ``Act'')(Public Law 109-401) and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and in order to facilitate implementation of the Act and the Protocol Additional to the Agreement between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America (the ``Additional Protocol''), it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. The Secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce, and Energy, the Attorney General, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and heads of such other agencies as appropriate, each shall issue, amend, or revise, and enforce such regulations, orders, directives, instructions, or procedures as are necessary to implement the Act and United States obligations under the Additional Protocol.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of Commerce, with the assistance, as necessary, of the Attorney General, is authorized to obtain and to execute warrants pursuant to section 223 of the Act for the purpose of gaining complementary access to locations subject to regulations issued by the Department of Commerce pursuant to section 1 of this order.
Sec. 3. The Secretaries of State, Defense, Commerce, and Energy, the Attorney General, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and heads of such other departments and agencies as appropriate, are authorized to carry out, consistent with the Act and in accordance with subsequent directives, appropriate functions that are not otherwise assigned in the Act and are necessary to implement the Act and United States obligations under the Additional Protocol. The Secretary of State shall perform the function of providing notifications or information to the Congress when required by the Act.
Sec. 4. This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
[[Page 7182]]
Sec. 5. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 4, 2008.
[FR Doc. 08-568
Filed 2-5-08; 11:55 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P

Wed, Feb 6 2008 11:00:00 GMT

___________________________________________________________________ Title 3--
The President
[[Page 7185]]
Notice of February 5, 2008

Continuation of the National Emergency Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Cote d'Ivoire
On February 7, 2006, by Executive Order 13396, I declared a national emergency and ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706). I took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to Cote d'Ivoire, which has been addressed by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1572 of November 15, 2004, and subsequent resolutions, and has resulted in the massacre of large numbers of civilians, widespread human rights abuses, significant political violence and unrest, and attacks against international peacekeeping forces leading to fatalities. Because the situation in or in relation to Cote d'Ivoire continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on February 7, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond February 7, 2008. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13396. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 5, 2008.
[FR Doc. 08-575
Filed 2-5-08; 1:49 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P

Loan Guaranty: Loan Servicing and Claims Procedures Modifications

Fri, Feb 1 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This document establishes a new series for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Loan Guaranty regulations, which will be phased in over an approximately elevenmonth timeframe, as mortgage servicing industry segments ``go live'' on a new computerbased tracking system being established by VA. This new series replicates existing regulations for most aspects of the VA Loan Guaranty program, but also includes changes related to several aspects of the servicing and liquidating of guaranteed housing loans in default, and the submitting of guaranty claims by loan holders. Specific topics revised in the new 4800 series include: increasing authority of servicers to implement lossmitigation options, making incentive payments to servicers for successful lossmitigation options, establishing a system of measuring and ranking servicer performance, establishing updated reporting requirements, permitting loan holders to review liquidation appraisals, requiring holders to calculate the net value of the securi

Passenger Train Emergency Systems; Emergency Communication, Emergency Egress, and Rescue Access

Fri, Feb 1 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This final rule is intended to further the safety of passenger train occupants through both enhancements and additions to FRA's existing requirements for emergency systems on passenger trains. In this final rule, FRA is enhancing existing requirements for emergency window exits and establishing requirements for rescue access windows for emergency responders to use to evacuate passenger train occupants. FRA is also enhancing passenger train emergency system requirements by expanding the application of existing requirements that are currently applicable only to passenger trains operating at speeds in excess of 125 mph (Tier II passenger trains) to cover passenger trains operating at speeds at or below 125 mph (Tier I passenger trains) as well; in particular, these enhancements require that Tier I passenger trains be equipped with public address (PA) and intercom systems for emergency communication and that passenger cars provide emergency roof access for use by emergency responders. FRA is applyi

Fri, Feb 1 2008 11:00:00 GMT

___________________________________________________________________ Title 3--
The President
[[Page 6417]]
Executive Order 13457 of January 29, 2008

Protecting American Taxpayers From Government Spending on Wasteful Earmarks
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the Federal Government to be judicious in the expenditure of taxpayer dollars. To ensure the proper use of taxpayer funds that are appropriated for Government programs and purposes, it is necessary that the number and cost of earmarks be reduced, that their origin and purposes be transparent, and that they be included in the text of the bills voted upon by the Congress and presented to the President. For appropriations laws and other legislation enacted after the date of this order, executive agencies should not commit, obligate, or expend funds on the basis of earmarks included in any non-statutory source, including requests in reports of committees of the Congress or other congressional documents, or communications from or on behalf of Members of Congress, or any other non-statutory source, except when required by law or when an agency has itself determined a project, program, activity, grant, or other transaction to have merit under statutory criteria or other merit-based decisionmaking. Sec. 2. Duties of Agency Heads. (a) With respect to all appropriations laws and other legislation enacted after the date of this order, the head of each agency shall take all necessary steps to ensure that:
(i) agency decisions to commit, obligate, or expend funds for any earmark are based on the text of laws, and in particular, are not based on language in any report of a committee of Congress, joint explanatory statement of a committee of conference of the Congress, statement of managers concerning a bill in the Congress, or any other non-statutory statement or indication of views of the Congress, or a House, committee, Member, officer, or staff thereof;
(ii) agency decisions to commit, obligate, or expend funds for any earmark are based on authorized, transparent, statutory criteria and merit-based decision making, in the manner set forth in section II of OMB Memorandum M- 07-10, dated February 15, 2007, to the extent consistent with applicable law; and
(iii) no oral or written communications concerning earmarks shall supersede statutory criteria, competitive awards, or merit-based decisionmaking. (b) An agency shall not consider the views of a House, committee, Member, officer, or staff of the Congress with respect to commitments, obligations, or expenditures to carry out any earmark unless such views are in writing, to facilitate consideration in accordance with section 2(a)(ii) above. All written communications from the Congress, or a House, committee, Member, officer, or staff thereof, recommending that funds be committed, obligated, or expended on any earmark shall be made publicly available on the Internet by the receiving agency, not later than 30 days after receipt of such communication, unless otherwise specifically directed by the head of the agency, without delegation, after consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to preserve appropriate confidentiality between the executive and legislative branches.
[[Page 6418]]
(c) Heads of agencies shall otherwise implement within their respective agencies the policy set forth in section 1 of this order, consistent with such instructions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may prescribe.
(d) The head of each agency shall upon request provide to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget information about earmarks and compliance with this order.
Sec. 3. Definitions. For purposes of this order: (a) The term ``agency'' means an executive agency as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, and the United States Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission, but shall exclude the Government Accountability Office; and
(b) the term ``earmark'' means funds provided by the Congress for projects, programs, or grants where the purported congressional direction (whether in statutory text, report language, or other communication) circumvents otherwise applicable merit-based or competitive allocation processes, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the executive branch to manage its statutory and constitutional responsibilities pertaining to the funds allocation process.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) authority granted by law to an agency or the head thereof; or (ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 29, 2008.
[FR Doc. 08-483
Filed 1-31-08; 9:02 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P

Boulder Canyon Project

Fri, Feb 1 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing an adjustment to the Boulder Canyon Project (BCP) electric service base charge and rates. The current base charge and rates expire September 30, 2008, under Rate Schedule BCPF7. The current base charge is not sufficient to cover all annual costs including operation, maintenance, replacements, and interest expense, and to repay investment obligations within the required period. The proposed base charge will provide sufficient revenue to cover all annual costs and to repay investment obligations within the allowable period. A detailed rate package that identifies the reasons for the base charge and rates adjustment will be available in March 2008. The proposed base charge and rates are scheduled to become effective on October 1, 2008, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2009. This Federal Register notice initiates the formal process for the proposed base charge and rates.

Proposed Information Collection To Be Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval Under the

Wed, Jan 30 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) invites public comment on a proposed collection of information that Western is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.\1\ Western invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
\1\ See 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

Third Periodic Review of the Commission's Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television

Wed, Jan 30 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This document issues the final rules in the third periodic review of the transition of the nation's broadcast television system from analog to digital television. It provides a progress report on the DTV transition and issues the procedures and rule changes necessary to ensure that broadcasters timely complete their transitions. Congress has mandated that after February 17, 2009, fullpower television broadcast stations must transmit only digital signals, and may no longer transmit analog signals. The rules in this document establish deadlines for broadcasters to complete construction of their final, posttransition (digital) facilities.

Record of Decision and Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Trinity Public Utilities District Direct

Tue, Jan 29 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) intends to construct the Trinity Public Utilities District (PUD) Direct Interconnection Project (Project) in Trinity County, California. Consumers in the Trinity PUD service area routinely experience nearly 20,000 consumer hours per year in outages, according to the Trinity PUD. In the winter, many of the outages last three to four days before power can be restored. Western's Project would improve power system reliability in the area by providing a direct interconnection between Trinity PUD and Western's transmission system at the Trinity Power Plant. Western proposes to remove about 5.3 miles of existing 12 kilovolt (kV) distribution line, and construct, operate, and maintain about 16 miles of new 60kV transmission line, a threeway switching structure and associated equipment, and a new switchyard. The Project would connect to Trinity PUD's system at its Lewiston Substation and at the new Weaverville Switchyard. Western is the lead Federal agency,

Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes

Tue, Jan 29 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Homeland Security is establishing minimum standards for Stateissued driver's licenses and identification cards that Federal agencies would accept for official purposes on or after May 11, 2008, in accordance with the REAL ID Act of 2005. This rule establishes standards to meet the minimum requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005. These standards involve a number of aspects of the process used to issue identification documents, including: Information and security features that must be incorporated into each card; application information to establish the identity and immigration status of an applicant before a card can be issued; and physical security standards for facilities where driver's licenses and applicable identification cards are produced. This final rule also provides a process for States to seek an additional extension of the compliance deadline to May 11, 2011, by demonstrating material compliance with the core requirements of the Act and this rule. Finally, taking in

Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for Long-Term Care Hospitals RY 2009: Proposed Annual Payment Rate

Tue, Jan 29 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This proposed rule would update the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services provided by longterm care hospitals (LTCHs). In addition, we are proposing to consolidate the annual July 1 update for payment rates and the October 1 update for Medicare severity longterm care diagnosis related group (MSLTCDRG) weights to a single fiscal year (FY) update.

In this proposed rule, we are also clarifying various policy issues.

This proposed rule would also describe our evaluation of the possible onetime adjustment to the Federal payment rate.

Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects Firm Power, Colorado River Storage Project Transmission and Ancillary

Fri, Jan 4 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing adjustments to the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP) firm power rates and the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Transmission and Ancillary Services Rates. The SLCA/IP consists of the CRSP, Collbran, and Rio Grande projects, which were integrated for marketing and ratemaking purposes on October 1, 1987, and two participating projects of the CRSP that have power facilities, the Dolores and Seedskadee projects. The current rates, under Rate Schedule SLIPF8, expire September 30, 2010, but are not sufficient to meet the SLCA/IP revenue requirements. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including operation, maintenance, and replacements (OM&R), interest expenses, and the required repayment of investment within the allowable period.

The only proposed changes to the CRSP Transmission and Ancillary Services Rates are to change the expiration dates to September 30, 2010, in alignmen

Smaller Reporting Company Regulatory Relief and Simplification

Fri, Jan 4 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Securities and Exchange Commission is adopting amendments to its disclosure and reporting requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to expand the number of companies that qualify for its scaled disclosure requirements for smaller reporting companies. Companies that have less than $75 million in public equity float will qualify for the scaled disclosure requirements under the amendments. Companies without a calculable public equity float will qualify if their revenues were below $50 million in the previous year. To streamline and simplify regulation, the amendments move the scaled disclosure requirements from Regulation SB into Regulation SK.

Acceptance From Foreign Private Issuers of Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance With International Financial

Fri, Jan 4 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Commission is adopting rules to accept from foreign private issuers in their filings with the Commission financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (``IFRS'') as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (``IASB'') without reconciliation to generally accepted accounting principles (``GAAP'') as used in the United States. To implement this, we are adopting amendments to Form 20F, conforming changes to Regulation SX, and conforming amendments to other regulations, forms and rules under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act. Current requirements regarding the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP do not change for a foreign private issuer that files its financial statements with the Commission using a basis of accounting other than IFRS as issued by the IASB.

Transparency Provisions of Section 23 of the Natural Gas Act

Fri, Jan 4 2008 11:00:00 GMT

In the final rule, the Commission promulgates regulations that require certain natural gas market participants to report information regarding their reporting of transactions to price index publishers and their blanket sales certificate status, and to report annually certain information regarding their wholesale, physical natural gas transactions for the previous calendar year. Certain market participants engaged in a de minimis volume of transactions will not be required to report information regarding their transactions for the calendar year. The reported information will make it possible to estimate the size of the physical U.S. natural gas market, to assess the use of index pricing in that market, and to determine the size of the fixedpriced trading market that produces the information. These regulations facilitate price transparency in markets for the wholesale sale of physical natural gas in interstate commerce.