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Federal Register Summary for the Week of 28 June-2 July 2004

COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Science Advisory Board
AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, NOAA, DOC.
ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

SUMMARY: The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on long- and short-range strategies for research, education, and application of science to resource management. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support to resource management.
Time and Date: The meeting will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2004, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, July 14, 2004, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. These times and the agenda topics described below may be subject to change. Refer to the Web page listed below for the most up-to-date meeting agenda.
Place: The meeting will be held both days at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA.
Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 30-minute time period set aside on Wednesday, July 14, for direct verbal comments or questions from the public. The SAB expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Written comments (at least 35 copies) should be received in the SAB Executive Director's Office by July 6, 2004, to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after July 6, 2004, will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Approximately thirty (30) seats will be available for the public including five (5) seats reserved for the media. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Matters to be Considered: The meeting will include the following topics: (1) NOAA Research Review, (2) Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, (3) Reports of Cooperative/Joint Institute reviews, (4) Ocean Modeling review, (5) Global Observations, (6) National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, (7) Climate Monitoring Working Group and Climate and Global Change Working Group Reports, (8) NOAA Strategic Plan, (9) NOAA Social Science Research Initiative, (10) NOAA 5-year Research Plan, (11) NOAA Organic Act and (12) public statements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael Uhart, Executive Director, Science Advisory Board, NOAA, Rm. 11142, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. (Phone: 301-713-9121, Fax: 301-713-0163, e-mail: ); or visit the NOAA SAB Web site at http://www.sab.noaa.gov
.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-14966.htm


EDUCATION



Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program

Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2005
Dates: Applications Available: August 11, 2004.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications for the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program: October 8, 2004.
Deadline for Transmittal of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): January 31, 2005.
Eligible Applicants: Individuals who at the time of application: (1) Have not completed their first full year of study for a doctoral degree or a master's degree in those fields in which the master's degree is the terminal highest degree awarded in the selected field of study, or will be entering a doctoral degree program or a master's degree program in those fields in which the master's degree is the terminal highest degree awarded in the selected field of study in academic year 2005-2006; (2) are eligible to receive grant, loan, or work assistance pursuant to section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA); and (3) intend to pursue a doctoral or master's degree in fields selected by the JKJ Fellowship Board at accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. An individual must be a citizen or national of the United States, a permanent resident of the United States, in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and intending to become a permanent resident, or a citizen of any one of the Freely Associated States.
Estimated Available Funds: $2,928,305.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $41,511.
Estimated Number of Awards: 71.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-14672.htm


ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Symposium on Field Monitoring of Genetically Modified Crop Plants
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice announcing a public symposium.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within the Office of Research and Development is sponsoring a three-day public symposium entitled, Symposium on Field Monitoring of Genetically Modified Crop Plants.

DATES: The symposium will be held Tuesday, August 3, 2004, through Thursday, August 5, 2004, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

ADDRESSES: The symposium will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Crystal City, 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202; telephone: 703-769-3946. A limited number of rooms will be available at the Sheraton Hotel through July 3, 2004, for the special meeting rate of $150 per night. The meeting location is within walking distance of the Crystal City Metro Stop on the Blue and Yellow Lines. TN & Associates, an EPA contractor, is organizing, convening, and conducting the symposium. To attend the symposium, please preregister by July 30, 2004, by calling Holly Stoddard (contractor) at (678) 355-5550 x0, register on line at . On site registration will be accommodated on a space available basis. A preliminary program agenda will be available on the NCEA Web page at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. A conference report of the symposium will be made available on the NCEA Web page shortly after the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For symposium information, registration, and logistics, contact Holley Stoddard, TN & Associates, Inc.; telephone: 678-355-5550; facsimile: 678-355-5545; e-mail: .
For further information the EPA contact is Dr. Robert Frederick, telephone: 202-564-3207; e-mail: .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There is concern that the large scale adoption of crops with Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) may have a significant environmental impact. Monitoring for resistant insects has been performed since 1991 to address the concern of developing insect resistance to specific PIPs. Other science based monitoring programs to assess possible environmental impacts of PIP crops have been limited. The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), a part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development, is sponsoring a three-day public symposium on recently published scientific research and current theory on monitoring for
environmental effects from plants with incorporated protectants. The focus of the symposium will be to review the state of the science of environmental monitoring with particular focus on PIP crops, and to
discuss the strengths/weaknesses of these approaches. The symposium will also address criteria for selecting ecological indicators, the use of statistical analysis for developing monitoring strategies, and the
feasibility of large scale monitoring plans for PIP plants. The symposium is expected to be of interest to public interest groups, regulators, academics, and industry representatives involved in the field of
genetically modified plants.
At the end of each speaker's presentation, there will be a limited period for related questions from the audience. Members of the public may attend the symposium as observers and participate in question
periods. Space is limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The focus of the symposium is the state of the science of environmental monitoring of genetically modified plants.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-14995.htm


Fifth Meeting of the World Trade Center Expert Technical Review Panel To Continue Evaluation on Issues Relating to Impacts of the Collapse of the World Trade Center Towers
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The World Trade Center Expert Technical Review Panel will hold its fifth meeting intended to provide for greater input from individuals on ongoing efforts to monitor the situation for New York residents and workers impacted by the collapse of the World Trade Center. The panel members will help guide the EPA's use of the available exposure and health surveillance databases and registries to characterize any remaining exposures and risks, identify unmet public health needs, and recommend any steps to further minimize the risks associated with the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks. The panel will meet several times over the course of approximately two years. These panel meetings will be open to the public, except where the public interest requires otherwise. Information on the panel meeting agendas, documents (except where the public interest requires otherwise), and public registration to attend the meetings will be available from an Internet Web site. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under Docket ID No. ORD-2004-0003.

DATES: The fifth meeting of this panel will be held on July 26, 2004 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., eastern daylight savings time. On-site registration will begin at 9:00 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at St. John's University, Saval Auditorium, 101 Murray Street (between Greenwich Street and West Side Highway), New York City (Manhattan). The auditorium is located on the second floor of the building and is handicap accessible. A government-issued identification (e.g., driver's license) is required for entry.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For meeting information, registration and logistics, please see the Web site http://www.epa.gov/wtc/panel or

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-14996.htm


HOMELAND SECURITY

Authorizing Collection of the Fee Levied on F, J, and M Nonimmigrant Classifications Under Public Law 104-208; SEVIS
AGENCY: Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: On October 26, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, to implement section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), requiring the collection of information relating to nonimmigrant foreign students and exchange visitors, and providing for the collection of the required fee to defray the costs.
This rule amends the DHS regulations to provide for the collection of a fee to be paid by certain aliens who are seeking status as F-1, F-3, M-1, or M-3 nonimmigrant students or as J-1 nonimmigrant exchange
visitors. Generally, the rule levies a fee of $100, although applicants for certain J-1 exchange visitor programs will pay a reduced fee of $35, and certain other aliens will be exempt from the fee altogether.
This final rule explains which aliens will be required to pay the fee, describes the consequences that an alien seeking F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 nonimmigrant status faces upon failure to pay the fee, and
specifies which aliens are exempt from the fee. This fee is being levied on aliens seeking F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, or J-1 nonimmigrant status to cover the costs of administering and maintaining the Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which includes ensuring compliance with the system's requirements by individuals, schools, and exchange visitor program sponsors. The fee will also pay for the continued operation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and offset the resources to ensure compliance with SEVIS requirements, including funds to hire and train SEVIS Liaison Officers and other Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
The rule will be effective on September 1, 2004, and will apply to potential nonimmigrants who are initially issued a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 on or after that date. Potential nonimmigrants, for purposes of this rule, are those aliens who will apply to the Department of State (DOS) or DHS for initial attendance as an F, M, or J nonimmigrant, certain nonimmigrants in the United States that will apply for a change
of status to an F, M, or J classification, and current J-1 nonimmigrants that will apply for a J-1 category change on or after that date. If a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for initial status in a new program is issued on or after the effective date, the nonimmigrant traveling on that document will be required to pay the fee. Applicants, schools, and exchange visitor program sponsors should refer to the fee pay table contained in this rule for more detailed information concerning when a fee is required.

DATES: This final rule is effective September 1, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Drury, Director'Student and
Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), Bureau of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, 800 K Street, NW., Room
1000, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 305-2346.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-14961.htm


INTERIOR



Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Thirteenth Regular Meeting; Provisional Agenda; Announcement of Public Meeting
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), will attend the thirteenth regular meeting of the Conference
of the Parties to CITES (COP13) in Bangkok, Thailand, October 2-14, 2004. Currently, the United States is developing its negotiating positions on proposed resolutions, proposed decisions, proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals), and other agenda items that were submitted by other Party countries and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at COP13. With this notice we announce the provisional agenda for COP13, solicit your comments on the items on the provisional agenda, and announce a public meeting to discuss the items on the provisional agenda.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on August 12, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. In developing the U.S. negotiating positions on proposed resolutions, proposed decisions, species proposals, and other agenda items submitted by other Party countries and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at COP13, we will consider written information and comments you submit if we receive them by August 31, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Public Meeting

The public meeting will be held in the Rachel Carson Room, in the Department of the Interior at 18th and C Streets, NW., Washington, DC. Directions to the building can be obtained by contacting the Division of Management Authority (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, below).

Comment Submission

Comments pertaining to proposed resolutions, proposed decisions, and agenda items other than those related to species proposals should be sent to the Division of Management Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive; Room 700; Arlington, VA 22203; or via E-mail at: ; or via fax at: 703-358-2298. Comments pertaining to species proposals should be sent to the Division of Scientific Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive; Room 750; Arlington, VA 22203; or via E-mail at: ; or via fax at: 703-358-2276. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at either the Division of Management Authority or the Division of Scientific
Authority.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to resolutions, decisions, and agenda items other than those related to species proposals: Peter O. Thomas, Chief, Division of Management Authority; phone: 703-358-2095; fax: 703-358-2298; E-mail: . For information pertaining to species proposals: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of Scientific Authority; phone: 703-358-1708; fax: 703-358-2276; E-mail: .

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-15073.htm


Joint Counterpart Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Regulations

AGENCIES: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior; and National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; availability of environmental assessment; opening of comment period.

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), (jointly, the Services), announce the availability of the environmental assessment for the Interagency Consultation on Regulatory Actions Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Counterpart Regulations, and the
opening of a comment period on the environmental assessment. The Services are evaluating the environmental effects of establishing counterpart regulations pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The proposed counterpart regulations were published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2004 (69 FR 4465) after coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
We are opening a comment period to allow all interested parties to comment on the environmental assessment. Comments should be directed to the adequacy of the environmental assessment, and should not address issues related to the proposed rule itself. Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final rule.

DATES: Comments on this environmental assessment must be received by July 23, 2004, to be considered in the final decision.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
E-mail: . Include in the subject line the following identifier: RIN 1018-AI95; RIN 0648-AQ69. Please also include Attn: ``1018-AI95'' and your name and return address in your Internet message.
Mail: Assistant Director for Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, Virginia 22203; or Chief of the Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
Federal e-rulemaking Portal: http:http://www.regulations.gov.

Fax: Gary Frazer, FWS, 703/358-2229; or Phil Williams, NOAA Fisheries, 301/713-0376.
The FWS has agreed to take responsibility for receipt of public comments and will share all comments it receives with NOAA Fisheries and EPA. Comments and materials received in conjunction with this
environmental assessment will be available for inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above FWS address.
Electronic copies of this environmental assessment may be obtained from the FWS World Wide Web site at: http://endangered.fws.gov/consultations/pesticides/index.html. Written copies of this environmental assessment may be obtained from the Assistant Director for Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Frazer, Assistant Director for Endangered Species, at the above FWS address (Telephone 703/358-2171, Facsimile 703/358-2229) or Phil Williams, Chief, Endangered Species Division, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-1401; facsimile 301/713-0376).

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-15051.htm


NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Regulatory Agenda
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the National Science Foundation regulations for the protection of human subjects by changing all references to the Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR) to the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) and revising the footnote at the end of 45 CFR 690.101(i) by deleting the references to research involving fetuses, pregnant women, or human in vitro fertilization. This technical amendment is being made in conjunction with the other Federal departments and agencies that have promulgated the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on a particular item, call or write the individual identified as agency contact. General comments or inquiries about this agenda may be directed to Penelope C. Baker, Administrative Officer, Office of the General Counsel, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, VA 22230, (703) 292-8060.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/ua040628/ua040433.txt


Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation
ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed information collection.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by August 30, 2004, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Bijan Gilanshah, Assistant General Counsel, through surface mail (National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230); e-mail ) or fax (703-292-9041).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Call or write, Bijan Gilanshah, Assistant General Counsel, at the National Science Foundation, 4201 Boulevard, Room 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230; call (703) 292-8060, or send e-mail to .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Antarctic emergency response plan and environmental protection information.
OMB Approval Number: 3145-0180.
Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2004.
Abstract: The NSF, pursuant to the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.) (``ACA'') regulates certain non-governmental activities in Antarctica. The ACA was amended in 1996 by
the Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act. On September 7, 2001, NSF published a final rule in the Federal Register (66 FR 46739) implementing certain of these statutory amendments. The rule requires non-governmental Antarctic expeditions using non-U.S. flagged vessels to ensure that the vessel owner has an emergency response plan. The rule also requires persons organizing a non-governmental expedition to provide expedition members with information on their environmental protection obligations under the Antarctic Conservation Act.
Expected Respondents: Respondents may include non-profit organizations and small and large businesses. The majority of respondents are anticipated to be U.S. tour operators, currently estimated to number twelve.
Burden on the Public. The Foundation estimates that a one-time paperwork and recordkeeping burden of 40 hours or less, at a cost of $500 to $1400 per respondent, will result from the emergency response
plan requirement contained in the rule. Presently, all respondents have been providing expedition members with a copy of the Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic (prepared and adopted at the Eighteenth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings as Recommendation XVIII-1). Because this Antarctic Treaty System document satisfies the environmental protection information requirements of the rule, no addition burden shall result from the environmental information requirements in the rule.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-14858.htm


STATE



Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Request for Grant Proposals: Survey of International Educational Exchange Activity in the United States (Foreign Students and Scholars in the U.S. and U.S.
Students Studying Abroad)

Summary: The Educational Information and Resources Branch, Office of Global Educational Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (the Bureau) announces an open competition for a survey of
International Educational Exchange Activity in the United States. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to conduct a statistical survey (census) of foreign nationals affiliated with institutions of higher learning in the United States. The survey, which should be conducted in the most economical way possible, should identify the number of foreign students and scholars studying, conducting research, or teaching at all accredited universities and colleges in the United States during the 2004/2005 academic year (fall 2004 through spring 2005). It must also provide detailed individual student profile data, country-specific aggregate data that enumerate the numbers of foreign students and scholars from a given country affiliated with individual U.S. institutions. Finally, as an indicator of U.S. institutional support for international educational exchange, the report should also include data about the number of American students studying abroad in credit-bearing programs of all types (year-long, semester, short-term and summer). Proposals should describe the methodology that will be used to collect the data,
whether by survey, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security or some combination thereof, and how the material will be analyzed and presented to the public. The proposal must also include plans to establish an advisory board to provide assistance in identifying and framing policy issues that may need to be addressed by policymakers.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-14600.htm

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