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Federal Register Summary for the Week of 1-5 August 2005

AGRICULTURE

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting, Northwest Forest Plan

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC), Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP), has scheduled an educational field trip on August 17, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Yreka, California. The purpose of the field trip is to have the committee learn more about fire-prone systems and how they affect local communities. The IAC will be given an update on the work of the Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC) Fire-Prone Systems subcommittee, as well as other RIEC subcommittee efforts. These topics are based on key findings and trends from the April 19-20, 2005, Science and the Northwest Forest Plan, Knowledge Gained Over a Decade conference and advice received from the IAC on April 21, 2005. Due to travel limitations, the field trip is open to committee members only. Written comments may be submitted for the meeting record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this meeting may be directed to Kath Collier, Management Analyst, Regional Ecosystem Office, 333 SW. First Avenue, PO Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208 (telephone: 503-808-2165).


COMMERCE

Notice of Availability of and Request for Comments on Green Paper Concerning Restriction Practice

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is conducting a study of its restriction practice as part of its 21st Century Strategic Plan to transform the USPTO into a quality focused, highly productive, responsive organization supporting a market-driven intellectual property system. The USPTO prepared a "Green Paper'' describing and evaluating four options to reform restriction practice suggested by various members of the public, and published a notice on June 6, 2005, at 70 FR 32761 seeking public comment on the Green Paper. The USPTO is extending the period for public comment until September 14, 2005.

DATES: Comment Deadline Date: To be ensured of consideration, written comments on the Green Paper must be received on or before September 14, 2005. No public hearing will be held.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent by electronic mail message over the Internet addressed to: . Comments may also be submitted by mail addressed to: Mail Stop Comments--Patents, Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA, 22313-1450, or by facsimile to (571) 273-7735, marked to the attention of Robert A. Clarke. Although comments may be submitted by mail or facsimile, the Office prefers to receive comments via the Internet. If comments are submitted by mail, the Office prefers that the comments be submitted on a DOS formatted 3 1/2 disk accompanied by a paper copy. Comments may also be sent by electronic mail message over the Internet via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. See the Federal eRulemaking Portal Web site (http://www.regulations.gov) for additional instructions on providing comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. The Green Paper is available on the USPTO's Internet Web site (http://www.uspto.gov). The comments will be available for public inspection at the Office of the Commissioner for Patents, located in Madison East, Tenth Floor, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia, and will be available through anonymous file transfer protocol (ftp) via the Internet (address: http://www.uspto.gov). Because comments will be made available for public inspection, information that is not desired to be made public, such as an address or phone number, should not be included in the comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert A. Clarke, Senior Legal Advisor, Office of Patent Legal Administration, Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy, by telephone at (571) 272-7735, by mail addressed to: Mail Stop Comments--Patents, Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA, 22313-1450, or by facsimile to (571) 273-7735, marked to the attention of Robert A. Clarke, or preferably via e-mail addressed to: .

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-15506.htm


Science Advisory Board; Notice of Meeting; Notice

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (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 Monday, August 8, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, August 9, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 3 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 NOAA Northwest Fishery Science Center, Main Auditorium, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, Washington.

Status: The meeting will be open to public participation with a 30-minute public comment period on August 8 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 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 August 2, 2005, to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after August 2 will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Matters to be Considered: The meeting will include the following topics: (1) NOAA Priorities for an Ecosystem Approach to Management; (2) Approval of NOAA Cooperative Institute Reviews; (3) Safe Sanctuaries 2005: A NOAA Emergency Response Exercise and Example of Strategic Disaster Planning; (4) NOAA's Role in Open Ocean Aquaculture: Legislation and Research; (5) Update on the NOAA Annual Guidance Memo; (6) Update from SAB Climate and Ecosystem Research Working Groups; Status on NOAA's Plan to Strengthen the Tsunami Warning Program; (7) Salmon Recovery from Summit to Sea--Lessons from Puget Sound; (8) Response to 1999 SAB Recommendations on salmon recovery science; (9) NOAA Fisheries Science Centers' Salmon & General Science Needs; (10) Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs) and Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA) Activities at NOAA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Morgan Gopnik, Executive Director, Science Advisory Board, NOAA, Rm. 11117, 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/2005/05-15101.htm


Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing to clarify its internal Policy on Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information, issued December 1, 2004. This clarification is intended to address apparent misunderstanding regarding the intent of the policy with respect to the role played by the private sector in the environmental information enterprise as a whole.

DATES: To be sure that your comments are considered, we must receive them by 12 p.m., e.s.t., November 2, 2005.

ADDRESSES: The proposed clarification to the policy is available electronically at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/partnershippolicy. Comments

are requested electronically; please send comments to . Requests for hard copies or comments in letter form should be sent to Partnership Policy, Room 11426, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3283.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Sokich 301-713-0258. .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognizes there has been some misunderstanding regarding the intent of its "Policy on Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information,'' issued December 1, 2004. The present policy does not adequately express NOAA's views of the critical role played by the private sector in the environmental information enterprise as a whole. NOAA is sensitive to the concerns and prerogatives of the private sector, and has no intent to displace it. We recognize that the public interest is served by the ability of private sector entities to provide diverse services to meet the varied needs of specific individuals, organizations and economic entities. At the same time, NOAA has a responsibility to help protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

The present standard of NOAA conduct is contained in Section 4 of the policy which states that NOAA will give ``due consideration'' to the abilities of the private sector and academic communities to provide diverse services and act in the public interest when making decisions regarding NOAA information services. NOAA proposes clarifying section 4 to state that NOAA will "take advantage of existing capabilities and services of commercial and academic sectors to avoid duplication and competition in areas not related to the NOAA mission.''

The proposed clarification is intended to emphasize the statement in the present policy that NOAA will not haphazardly institute significant changes in existing information dissemination activities without first carefully considering the views and capabilities of the private sector. In that regard, it emphasizes that NOAA will endeavor to take advantage of capabilities and services that already exist in the commercial sector. NOAA is committed to open consultation with all who are affected by NOAA's services, including the private sector. The American Meteorological Society has established a new Commission to foster constructive discussion within the enterprise as a whole. NOAA will use this and other appropriate mechanisms to consult openly on these matters as we move forward.

In sum, NOAA will interpret and apply the policy to recognize the unique capabilities of the private sector in order to accomplish our shared goal of fostering a robust and successful environmental information enterprise.

Accordingly, NOAA seeks comment on the proposed change to Section 4, which would read as follows: 4. The nation benefits from government information disseminated both by Federal agencies and by diverse nonfederal parties, including commercial and not-for-profit entities. NOAA recognizes the government best serves the public interest by cooperating with private sector and academic and research entities to meet the varied needs of specific individuals, organizations, and economic entities. NOAA will take advantage of existing capabilities and services of commercial and academic sectors to avoid duplication and competition in areas not related to the NOAA mission. NOAA will give due consideration to these abilities and consider the effects of its decisions on the activities of these entities, in accordance with its responsibilities as an agency of the U.S. Government, to serve the public interest and advance the nation's environmental information enterprise as a whole.

For ease of comparison, the present Section 4 reads as follows: 4. NOAA recognizes the public interest is served by the ability of private sector entities and the academic and research community to provide diverse services to meet the varied needs of specific individuals, organizations, and economic entities. The nation benefits from government information disseminated both by Federal agencies and by diverse nonfederal parties, including commercial and not-for-profit entities. NOAA will give due consideration to these abilities, and consider the effects of its decisions on the activities of these entities, in accordance with its responsibilities as an agency of the U.S. Government, to serve the public interest and advance the nation's environmental information enterprise as a whole.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-15459.htm


NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

National Science Board and Its Subdivisions; Meetings

Date and Time: August 10-11, 2005.

August 10, 2005 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sessions:

7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.--Open.
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m.--Open.
8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.--Open.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.--Open.
12:45 p.m.-1 p.m.--Open.
1 p.m.-1:30 p.m.--Closed.
1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m.--Open.
2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.--Closed.
3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.--Open.

August 11, 2005 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sessions:

8 a.m.-8:30 a.m.--Open.
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.--Open.
10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.--Closed.
10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.--Open.
11 a.m.-12 noon--Closed.
12:30 p.m.-12:45 p.m.--Executive Closed.
12:45 p.m.-1 p.m.--Closed.
1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.--Open.

Place: National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Rooms 1235 and 1295, Arlington, VA 22230.

Public Meeting Attendance: All visitors must report to the NSF's visitor's desk at the 9th and N. Stuart Streets entrance to receive a visitor's badge.

Contact Information: Please refer to the National Science Board Web site (http://www.nsf.gov/nsb) for updated schedule. NSB Office: (703) 292-7000. Status: Part of this meeting will be closed to the public. Part of this meeting will be open to the public. Matters To Be Considered:

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Open:

Committee on Programs & Plans Subcommittee on Polar Issues (7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.) Room 1235

Chair's Remarks and Approval of Minutes

OPP Director's Report

South Pole Station Status Report

OPP Advisory Committee Study of Antarctic Resupply Options

Polar Icebreaker Availability

Preparations for the International Polar Year

Committee on Programs & Plans Task Force on Transformative Research (8:30 a.m.-9 a.m.) Room 1295

Approval of Minutes

Update on Workshop: August 12, 2005 at NSF

Discussion on possible Future Workshop Themes, Locations, and Dates

Education & Human Resources Subcommittee on S&E Indicators (8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Minutes

Discussion of Orange Book

Discussion of Draft Overview chapter

Science and Engineering Indicators 2006 cover

Discussion of Draft Companion Piece

Contractor Presentation on Indicators

Committee on Education & Human Resources (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Minutes

NSF Staff Presentations

Update on Math and Science Partnerships Program

NSF Integration of Research and education

NSB items

House Roundtable on the S&T Workforce

Innovation Summit

NSB Commission on Education

NSB/EHR Committee's Contribution to Board's Vision for NSF

Subcommittee on Science and Engineering Indicators

Update on Engineering Education Workshop

Executive Committee (12:45 p.m.-1 p.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Minutes

Updates or New Business from Committee Members

Joint Session: Committee on Strategy and Budget and Committee on Programs and Plans (1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m.) Room 1235

Centers and the NSF Portfolio

Funding Rates, Award Size and Duration

Committee on Programs & Plans (3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Minutes

Vision Task Force

Status of International Science Effort

Status Reports

Long-lived Digital Data Collections

Transformative Research Task Force

Subcommittee on Polar Issues

Process for Sending Information & Actions to CPP & NSB

Major Research Facilities:

Status of Facility Plan and Guide

Closed

Executive Committee (1 p.m.-1:30 p.m.) Room 1235

Candidate Sites for NSB Retreat/Off-Site Visit

Director's Items: Personnel Matters and Future Budgets

Committee on Programs & Plans (2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.) Room 1235

Action Items

Rare Symmetry Violating Process (RSVP)

Maize Genome Sequencing

Information Items

ALMA Update

Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Open

Committee on Programs & Plans (8 a.m.-8:30 a.m.) Room 1235

Cyberinfrastructure Vision

Committee on Audit & Oversight (8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Minutes

Report by NSF Advisory Committee on GPRA Performance Assessment

Discussion of NSF Vision Document: NSB Roles and Responsibilities

Discussion of Draft Report of NSF Merit Review System Review

NSB Policy Statement on Respective Roles of the OIG and NSF Management in the Pursuit and Settlement of Administrative

Investigatory Matters

Status of Financial Audit Procurement

CFO Update on Plan To Address Reportable Conditions of FY 2004 Audit

Committee on Strategy and Budget (10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.) Room 1235

Chair's Remarks and Approval of Minutes

Discussion of Committee Input to Vision Task Force

Status of FY 2006 Budget Request to Congress

Closed Session

Committee on Audit & Oversight (10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) Room 1235

OIG Budget

Pending Investigations

Committee on Strategy & Budget (11 a.m.-12 noon) Room 1235

Approval of Minutes

Discussion of FY 2007 Budget Submission to OMB

Recommendations for FY 2007 Budget Submission

Plenary Session of the Board (12:30 p.m.-1 p.m.)

Executive Closed Session (12:30 p.m.-12:45 p.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Executive Closed Minutes

Closed Session (12:45 p.m.-1 p.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Closed Session Minutes

Awards and Agreements

Closed Committee Reports

Open Session (1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.) Room 1235

Approval of Minutes

Resolution to Close September 2005

Chairman's Report

Director's Report

Committee Reports

Report of ad hoc Vision Task Group

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-15248.htm


National Science Board; Workshop on Understanding Transformative Research Programs at the National Science Foundation; Sunshine Act Meeting

Date and Time: August 12, 2005, 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. (ET).

Place: National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Rooms 1235, 375 and 320, Arlington, VA 22230.

Publice Meeting Attendance: All visitors must report to the NSF's visitor's desk at the 9th and N. Stuart Streets entrance to receive a visitor's badge.

Contact Information: Please refer to the National Science Board Web site (http://www.nsf.gov/nsb) for updated Agenda. NSB Office: (703) 292-7000.

Status: This Workshop will be open to the public.

Provisional Workshop Agenda

Room 1235

8:30 a.m.-8:50 a.m.--Introduction and Overview.
8:50 a.m.-9 a.m.--Welcoming Remarks.
9 a.m.-10 a.m.--Topic I: Exemplar Transformative Research Funded by NSF.
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.--Topic II: NSF Culture and Effect on Funding Potentially Transformative Research.
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.--Topic III: NSF Mechanisms and Procedures for Supporting Potentially Transformative Research.

Rooms 375 and 320

12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.--Breakout Session I: Enhancing the Ability of NSF To Identify and Nurture Potentially Transformative Research.
Role of Program Officers
Role of Committees of Visitors
Role of Advisory Committees
2 p.m.-3:15 p.m.--Breakout Session II: Improving NSF's Ability To Fund Potentially Transformative Research.
Community Awareness
Inhibitors for Current Mechanisms
New Mechanisms

Room 1235

3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.--Plenary Meeting for Breakout Sessions I and II.
5 p.m.-5:15 p.m.--Summaries of Discussions and Next Steps for the NSB Task Force on Transformative Research.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-15249.htm

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