53486 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 200 / Monday, October 19, 2009 / Notices 

amounts of explosives used in the A–S 

gunnery exercises, NMFS has 

preliminarily determined that there will 

not be a substantial impact on marine 

mammals or on the normal functioning 

of the nearshore or offshore GOM 

ecosystems. The proposed activity is not 

expected to impact rates of recruitment 

or survival of marine mammals since no 

mortality (which would remove 

individuals from the population) or 

injury are anticipated to occur. 

Although the proposed activity is 

anticipated to result in Level B 

harassment of marine mammals (both by 

behavioral disturbance and TTS), the 

level of harassment is not anticipated to 

impact rates of recruitment or survival 

of marine mammals. 

Additionally, the mitigation and 

monitoring measures proposed to be 

implemented (described earlier in this 

document) are expected to minimize 

even further the potential for injury or 

mortality. The protected species surveys 

will require Eglin AFB to search the area 

for marine mammals, and if any are 

found in the live fire area, then the 

exercise must be suspended until the 

animal(s) has left the area or relocated. 

Moreover, the aircrews of the A–S 

gunnery missions will initiate location 

and surveillance of a suitable firing site 

immediately after exiting U.S. territorial 

waters (less than or equal to 12 nm (22 

km)). This would potentially restrict 

most gunnery activities to the shallower 

continental shelf waters of the GOM 

where marine mammal densities are 

typically lower, and thus potentially 

avoid the slope waters where the more 

sensitive species (e.g., endangered 

sperm whales) typically reside. 

Based on the analysis contained 

herein of the likely effects of the 

specified activity on marine mammals 

and their habitat, and taking into 

consideration the implementation of the 

mitigation and monitoring measures, 

NMFS preliminarily finds that Eglin 

AFB’s A–S gunnery mission exercises 

will result in the incidental take of 

marine mammals, by Level B 

harassment only, and that the total 

taking from the A–S gunnery mission 

exercises will have a negligible impact 

on the affected species or stocks. 

Impact on Availability of Affected 

Species or Stock for Taking for 

Subsistence Uses 

There are no relevant subsistence uses 

of marine mammals implicated by this 

action. 

Endangered Species Act (ESA) 

A Biological Opinion issued by NMFS 

on October 20, 2004, concluded that the 

A–S gunnery exercises in the EGTTR are 

unlikely to jeopardize the continued 

existence of species listed under the 

ESA that are within the jurisdiction of 

NMFS or destroy or adversely modify 

critical habitat. NMFS has preliminarily 

determined that this action, including 

the modifications to the mitigation and 

monitoring measures in the 2008 IHA 

and proposed for inclusion in the 2009 

IHA (if issued), does not have effects 

beyond that which was analyzed in that 

previous consultation, it is within the 

scope of that action, and reinitiation of 

consultation is not necessary. However, 

prior to issuance of this IHA, NMFS will 

make a final determination whether 

additional consultation is necessary. 

National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) 

The USAF prepared a Final PEA in 

November 2002 for the EGTTR activity. 

NMFS made the USAF’s 2002 Final PEA 

available upon request on January 23, 

2006 (71 FR 3474). In accordance with 

NOAA Administrative Order 216–6 

(Environmental Review Procedures for 

Implementing the National 

Environmental Policy Act, May 20, 

1999), NMFS reviewed the information 

contained in the USAF’s 2002 Final 

PEA, and, on May 1, 2006, determined 

that the document accurately and 

completely described the proposed 

action, the alternatives to the proposed 

action, and the potential impacts on 

marine mammals, endangered species, 

and other marine life that could be 

impacted by the preferred alternative 

and the other alternatives. Accordingly, 

NMFS adopted the USAF’s 2002 Final 

PEA under 40 CFR 1506.3 and made its 

own FONSI on May 16, 2006. The 

NMFS FONSI also took into 

consideration updated data and 

information contained in NMFS’ 

Federal Register document noting 

issuance of an IHA to Eglin AFB for this 

activity (71 FR 27695, May 12, 2006), 

and previous notices (71 FR 3474 

(January 23, 2006); 70 FR 48675 (August 

19, 2005)). 

As the issuance of the 2008 IHA to 

Eglin AFB amended three of the 

mitigation measures for reasons of 

practicality and safety, NMFS reviewed 

the USAF’s 2002 Final PEA and 

determined that a new EA was 

warranted to address: (1) The proposed 

modifications to the mitigation and 

monitoring measures; (2) the use of 23 

psi as a change in the criterion for 

estimating potential impacts on marine 

mammals from explosives; and (3) a 

cumulative effects analysis of potential 

environmental impacts from all GOM 

activities (including Eglin mission 

activities), which was not addressed in 

the USAF’s 2002 Final PEA. Therefore, 

NMFS prepared a new EA in December 

2008 and issued a FONSI for its action 

on December 9, 2008. Based on those 

findings, NMFS determined that it was 

not necessary to complete an 

environmental impact statement for the 

issuance of an IHA to Eglin AFB for this 

activity. NMFS has preliminarily 

determined that this proposed activity is 

within the scope of NMFS’ 2008 EA and 

FONSI. 

Proposed Authorization 

As a result of these preliminary 

determinations, NMFS proposes to 

authorize the take of several species of 

marine mammals incidental to the 

USAF, Eglin AFB, for their A–S gunnery 

mission activities in the GOM provided 

the previously mentioned mitigation, 

monitoring, and reporting requirements 

are incorporated. 

Dated: October 8, 2009. 

Helen M. Golde, 

Deputy Director, Office of Protected 

Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. E9–24842 Filed 10–16–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Agency Information Collection 

Extension 

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy. 

ACTION: Notice and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy 

(DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995, intends to 

extend for three years, an information 

collection request with the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB). 

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether 

the extended collection of information 

is necessary for the proper performance 

of the functions of the agency, including 

whether the information shall have 

practical utility; (b) 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; (c) 

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; and (d) 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. This information collection 

request pertains to the Human 

Reliability Program (HRP). This 

information collection request consists 

of forms that will certify to DOE that 

respondents were advised of the 

requirements for occupying or 


sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 200 / Monday, October 19, 2009 / Notices 53487 

continuing to occupy a HRP position. 

The HRP is a security and safety 

reliability program for individuals who 

apply for or occupy certain positions 

that are critical to the national security. 

It requires an initial and annual 

supervisory review, medical assessment, 

management evaluation, and a DOE 

personnel security review of all 

applicants or incumbents. It is also used 

to ensure that employees assigned to 

nuclear explosive duties do not have 

emotional, mental, or physical 

conditions that could result in an 

accidental or unauthorized detonation 

of nuclear explosives. 

DATES: Comments regarding this 

proposed information collection must 

be received on or before December 18, 

2009. If you anticipate difficulty in 

submitting comments within that 

period, contact the person listed below 

as soon as possible. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be 

sent to Dane A. Woodard, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Office of Health, 

Safety and Security (HS–1.4), 1000 

Independence Ave., SW., Washington, 

DC 20585, telephone at (202) 586–4148, 

by fax at (202) 586–3312, or by e-mail 

at dane.woodard@hq.doe.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

instrument and instructions should be 

directed to Dane A. Woodard, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Office of Health, 

Safety and Security, HS–1.4, 1000 

Independence Ave., SW., Washington, 

DC 20585, telephone at (202) 586–4148, 

by fax at (202) 586–3312, or by e-mail 

at dane.woodard@hq.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

information collection request contains: 

(1) OMB No. 1910–5122; (2) Information 

Collection Request Title: Human 

Reliability Program; (3) Type of Review: 

renewal; (4) Purpose: This collection 

provides for DOE management to ensure 

that individuals who occupy HRP 

positions meet program standards of 

reliability and physical and mental 

suitability; (5) Respondents: 51,700; 

(6) Estimated Number of Burden Hours: 

31,020. 

Statutory Authority: Department of Energy 

Organization Act, Public Law 95–91, of 

August 4, 1977, and 10 CFR part 712 et seq. 

Issued in Washington, DC on October 8, 

2009. 

Lesley A. Gasperow, 

Director, Office of Resource Management, 

Office of Health, Safety and Security. 

[FR Doc. E9–24920 Filed 10–16–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Nevada 

AGENCY: Department of Energy. 

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces a 

meeting of the Environmental 

Management Site-Specific Advisory 

Board (EM SSAB), Nevada Test Site. 

The Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires 

that public notice of this meeting be 

announced in the Federal Register. 

DATES: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 

5 p.m. 

ADDRESSES: Atomic Testing Museum, 

755 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 

89119. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Denise Rupp, Board Administrator, 232 

Energy Way, M/S 505, North Las Vegas, 

Nevada 89030. Phone: (702) 657–9088; 

Fax (702) 295–5300 or E-mail: 

ntscab@nv.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose of the Board: The purpose of 

the Board is to make recommendations 

to DOE in the areas of environmental 

restoration, waste management, and 

related activities. 

Tentative Agenda 

1. Presentation: Rural Perceptions of 

Environmental Activities at the 

Nevada Test Site 

2. Sub-Committee Reports 

A. Industrial Sites Committee 

B. Membership Committee 

C. Outreach Committee 

D. Soils Committee 

E. Transportation/Waste Committee 

F. Underground Test Area Committee 

Public Participation: The EM SSAB, 

Nevada Test Site, welcomes the 

attendance of the public at its advisory 

committee meetings and will make 

every effort to accommodate persons 

with physical disabilities or special 

needs. If you require special 

accommodations due to a disability, 

please contact Denise Rupp at least 

seven days in advance of the meeting at 

the phone number listed above. Written 

statements may be filed with the Board 

either before or after the meeting. 

Individuals who wish to make oral 

presentations pertaining to agenda items 

should contact Denise Rupp at the 

telephone number listed above. The 

request must be received five days prior 

to the meeting and reasonable provision 

will be made to include the presentation 

in the agenda. The Deputy Designated 

Federal Officer is empowered to 

conduct the meeting in a fashion that 

will facilitate the orderly conduct of 

business. Individuals wishing to make 

public comment will be provided a 

maximum of five minutes to present 

their comments. 

Minutes: Minutes will be available by 

writing to Denise Rupp at the address 

listed above or at the following Web 

site: http://www.ntscab.com/ 

MeetingMinutes.htm. 

Issued at Washington, DC on October 13, 

2009. 

Rachel Samuel, 

Deputy Committee Management Officer. 

[FR Doc. E9–25117 Filed 10–16–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Portsmouth 

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE). 

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces a 

meeting of the Environmental 

Management Site-Specific Advisory 

Board (EM SSAB), Portsmouth. The 

Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. 

L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that 

public notice of this meeting be 

announced in the Federal Register. 

DATES: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 

6 p.m. 

ADDRESSES: Ohio State University, 

Endeavor Center, 1862 Shyville Road, 

Piketon, Ohio 45661. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David Kozlowski, Deputy Designated 

Federal Officer, Department of Energy 

Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office, Post 

Office Box 700, Piketon, Ohio 45661, 

(740) 897–2759, 

David.Kozlowski@lex.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose of the Board: The purpose of 

the Board is to make recommendations 

to DOE in the areas of environmental 

restoration, waste management and 

related activities. 

Tentative Agenda 

• Call to Order, Introductions, Review 

of Agenda. 

• Approval of October Meeting 

Minutes. 

• Deputy Designated Federal Officer’s 

Comments. 

• Federal Coordinator’s Comments. 

• Liaisons’ Comments. 

• Administrative Issues: 

Æ Committee Updates. 

• Public Comments. 

• Final Comments. 

• Adjourn. 

Breaks taken as appropriate. 


sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES