### 62596 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 199 / Monday, October 15, 2012 / Notices

surveys to ensure that Passport Services reaches the appropriate audience and leverages the best research method obtain valid responses. The survey data will cover an estimated 48,000 respondents annually and will include topics covering passport demand, travel, and socio-demographic variables of interest to the United States Department
of State.

Dated: September 27, 2012.

Rachel M. Arndt,
Managing Director (Acting), Passport Support Operations, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2012–25249 Filed 10–12–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–06–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 8062]**

**Allowing New Investment in Burma**

**AGENCY :**  Bureau of Economic & Business Affairs, Office of Sanctions Policy and Implementation, Department of State.

**SUMMARY :**  The Deputy Secretary of State
has determined that it would be contrary to the national security
interests of the United States to continue to apply the sanction referred to in section 570(b) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 104–208) (the ‘‘Act’’),
which authorizes and directs the President to prohibit U.S. persons from making new investment in Burma, if the
President makes certain determinations and certifications to Congress. The President made the required
determinations and certifications and imposed a prohibition on new
investment in Executive Order 13047 (May 20, 1997). He subsequently delegated the waiver authority under Section 570(e) of the Act to the Secretary of State on July 11, 2012, and
the determination described above
constitutes the exercise of such waiver authority. In conjunction with this waiver determination, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign
Assets Control issued a General License (No. 17) on July 11, 2012 authorizing new investment in Burma by U.S. persons subject to limitations and requirements set forth therein.

These steps are in response to the recent reforms that have taken place in Burma over the past year. Continued application of the ban on investment would be contrary to U.S. national security interests because it would hinder current U.S. policy to support those in the Burmese government leading important reform efforts. Further reforms would advance longstanding U.S. national security interests such as promoting national reconciliation and democracy in Burma; improving respect for human rights; curtailing the flow from Burma of refugees, illicit narcotics, infectious diseases, and victims of trafficking; and advancing nonproliferation goals. While the Department of State remains concerned about the protection of human rights, corruption, and the role of the military in the Burmese economy, it believes that the participation of U.S. businesses in the Burmese economy will set a model for responsible investment and business operations as well as encourage further change, promote economic development, and contribute to the welfare of the Burmese people.

**DATES :**  Effective Date: July 11, 2012.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  John Marshall Klein, Senior Sanctions Officer, Economic & Business Affairs, Office of Sanctions Policy and Implementation, 202–647–9452.

Dated: September 27, 2012.
Jose W. Fernandez,
Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs, Department of State.

[FR Doc. 2012–25252 Filed 10–12–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–07–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Office of the Secretary of Transportation** 

**Interim Guidance on State Freight Plans and State Freight Advisory** 
**Committees**

**AGENCY :**  Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA),
Federal Motor Carriers Administration (FMCSA) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHSMA), Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC).

**ACTION :**  Notice of Interim Guidance and Request for Comments.

**SUMMARY :**  On July 6, 2012, the President signed into law Public Law 112–141, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP–21). Section 1118 of MAP–21 directs the Secretary of Transportation to encourage each State to develop a comprehensive State Freight Plan that outlines immediate and long-range plans for freight-related transportation investments. Section 1117 of MAP–21 directs the Secretary to encourage each State to establish a State Freight Advisory Committee. The Department of Transportation is issuing this Notice to provide Interim Guidance on both State Freight Plans and State Freight Advisory Committees. It encourages States to develop State Freight Plans and provides guidance to States on the required elements of a State Freight Plan and information on funding and on the relationship of State Freight Plans to other provisions of MAP–21. It encourages States to develop State Freight Advisory Committees as part of the process for developing a State Freight Plan. The Department requests public comments on all aspects of this Interim Guidance.

**DATES :**  All public comments must be received by November 15, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may send comments identified by Docket Number DOT– OST–2012–0168 using any of the following methods:

Government-wide rulemaking Web site: http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.

Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,

DC 20590–0001. Fax 1–202–493–2251.

Courier: commercial delivery service, such as, but not limited to the following—Federal Express or United Parcel Service, addressed to Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

The Department will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information. If you mail or hand deliver your comments and want the Department to acknowledge receipt of your comments, include with your comments a pre-addressed, stamped postcard on which the docket number appears. We will stamp the date on the postcard and mail it to you.

Docket: To read background documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov or to Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments