### 10725 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 36 / Thursday, February 23, 2012 / Notices

Bonnie Ponwith, Ph.D.), has been issued a permit to take green ( Chelonia mydas ), Kemp’s ridley ( Lepidochelys kempii), hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata ), leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea ), olive ridley ( L. olivacea ), and loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ) sea turtles for scientific research.

**ADDRESSES :**  The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:

Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376;

Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; phone (978) 281–9328; fax (978) 281– 9394; and Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727)
824–5309.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (301)
427–8401.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  On June 27, 2011, notice was published in the Federal Register (76 FR 37327) that a request for a scientific research permit to take loggerhead, green, Kemp’s ridley, olive ridley, leatherback, and hawksbill sea turtles had been submitted by the above-named organization. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226).

The SEFSC is authorized to conduct research on leatherback, loggerhead, green, hawksbill, olive ridley, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and their estuarine and coastal environments. The purpose of the research is to evaluate modifications to commercial fishing gear to mitigate sea turtle interactions and capture. The permit authorizes animals to be captured during trawl surveys and to handle and sample turtles captured within fisheries managed by another Federal authority. All animals would be handled, measured, weighed, photographed, flipper tagged, passive integrated transponder tagged, and skin biopsied prior to release. A limited number of mortalities may occur due to trawling. The permit is valid for five
years.

Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered or threatened species, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

Dated: February 17, 2012. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–4250 Filed 2–22–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–22–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE**

**United States Patent and Trademark Office** 

**Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request** 

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 35).

Agency: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Title: National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application.

Form Number(s): None. Agency Approval Number: 0651–
0060.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Burden: 1,600 hours annually. Number of Respondents: 40 responses
per year.

Avg. Hours per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take the public approximately 40 hours to download the information from the USPTO Web site, prepare the nomination form, complete the contact information for the letters of recommendation or support, and submit the information to the USPTO via electronic mail or, alternatively, by fax or overnight delivery.

Needs and Uses: The public uses the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Application to recognize through nomination an individual’s or company’s extraordinary leadership and innovation in technological achievement. The application must be accompanied by six letters of recommendation or support from individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the cited achievement(s).

The USPTO uses the information to assist in the administration of the nomination process.

Affected Public: Individuals orhouseholds, businesses or other forprofits. Frequency: On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. OMB Desk Officer: Nicholas A. Fraser, email: Nicholas

_ A.

_Fraser@omb.eop.gov. Once submitted, the request will be publicly available in electronic format through the Information Collection Review page at www.reginfo.gov.

Paper copies can be obtained by:

• Email: InformationCollection@uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–0060 copy request’’ in the subject line of the message.

• Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450.

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent on or before March 26, 2012 to Nicholas A. Fraser, OMB Desk Officer, via email to Nicholas

_ A.

_Fraser@omb.eop.gov, or by fax to 202–395–5167, marked to the attention of Nicholas A. Fraser.

Dated: February 16, 2012. Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–4116 Filed 2–22–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–16–P**

**BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION** 

**Establishment of the Consumer Advisory Board and Solicitation of**  **Nominations for Membership**

**AGENCY :**  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (the ‘‘Bureau’’) announces the establishment of the Consumer Advisory Board (the ‘‘Board’’), which will advise and consult with the Bureau in the exercise of the Bureau’s functions under the Federal consumer financial protection laws, and which will provide information to the Bureau concerning emerging trends and practices in the financial services and products industry. This Notice seeks nominations for members to serve on the Board.

**DATES :**  Nominations received on or before March 30, 2012 will be given consideration for membership on the Board.

**ADDRESSES :**  All nominations for membership on the Board should be
sent:


### 10726 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 36 / Thursday, February 23, 2012 / Notices

• Electronically: CABnominations@ cfpb.gov. We strongly encourage electronic submissions.

• Mail: Monica Jackson/CAB Nominations, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., (Attn: 1801 L Street), Washington, DC 20220.

• Hand Delivery/Courier in Lieu of Mail: Monica Jackson/CAB Nominations, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1801 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20036.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Requests for additional information should be directed to Kimberly Miller, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, (202) 435–7451.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Background

The Bureau is charged with regulating ‘‘the offering and provision of consumer financial products or services under the Federal consumer financial laws,’’ so as to ensure that ‘‘all consumers have access to markets for consumer financial products and services and that markets for consumer financial products and services are fair, transparent, and competitive.’’ Pursuant to Section 1021(c) of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law 111–203 (the ‘‘Dodd-Frank Act’’), the Bureau’s primary functions are:

1. Conducting financial education
programs;

2. Collecting, investigating, and responding to consumer complaints;

3. Collecting, researching, monitoring, and publishing information relevant to the function of markets for consumer financial products and services to identify risks to consumers and the proper functioning of such markets;

4. Supervising persons covered under the Dodd-Frank Act for compliance with Federal consumer financial law, and taking appropriate enforcement action to address violations of Federal consumer financial law;

5. Issuing rules, orders, and guidance implementing Federal consumer financial law; and

6. Performing such support activities as may be needed or useful to facilitate the other functions of the Bureau.

Section 1014 of the Dodd-Frank Act calls for the Director of the Bureau to establish a Consumer Advisory Board to advise and consult with the Bureau regarding its functions, and to provide information on emerging trends and practices in the consumer financial markets. II. Establishment and Functions of the Consumer Advisory Board

The Board will be established when the Bureau approves a charter. The charter will be filed with the Director of the Bureau, furnished to the Library of Congress, and posted on the Bureau’s Web site at www.consumerfinance.gov. The Bureau will send a copy of the charter to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the United States Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the United States House of Representatives.

As set forth in Section 1014(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Board’s objectives are to ‘‘advise and consult with the Bureau in the Bureau’s exercise of its functions under the Federal consumer financial protection laws,’’ and to ‘‘provide information on emerging practices in the consumer financial products and services industry, including regional trends, concerns, and other relevant information.’’ The Board’s charter will provide that the function of the Board is to be solely advisory. The Bureau alone will decide what action it will take and policy it will express with respect to the Federal consumer financial laws.

The Board will meet at such intervals as are necessary to carry out its functions, but not less than twice per year. Meetings of subgroups or subcommittees of the full Board established according to the terms of the charter may occur more frequently.

The Director will make appointments to the Board without regard to political affiliation. To achieve the Board’s goals, not fewer than sixteen members will be appointed who can represent effectively the varied interests affected by the range of issues to be considered. The Board’s membership will be balanced in terms of points of view represented and the functions to be performed. Section 1014(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act provides that ‘‘[n]ot fewer than 6 members shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the regional Federal Reserve Bank Presidents, on a rotating basis.’’

Of the members appointed by the Director,

1. One-third shall be appointed to an initial one-year term;

2. One-third shall be appointed to an initial two-year term; and

3. One-third shall be appointed to an initial three-year term. The length of a member’s initial term will be determined by lottery. Each member appointed may seek to renew his or her appointment to the Board for a single, second term of three years, pursuant to the procedures outlined in the Board’s charter. The members will serve at the pleasure of the Director from the date of appointment to the Board, not to exceed two terms. The Director will designate the Board Chair and Vice Chair. The Chair and Vice Chair will serve in those positions at the pleasure of the Director.

In accord with Section 1014(d) of the Dodd-Frank Act, members of the Board who are not full-time employees of the United States will receive compensation at a rate fixed by the Director while attending meetings of the Board, including reasonable travel and subsistence expenses while away from their homes or regular places of business. Wherever practical in terms of cost and logistics, the Bureau may hold meetings outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
III. Qualifications

Pursuant to Section 1014(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act, in appointing members to the Board, ‘‘the Director shall seek to assemble experts in consumer protection, financial services, community development, fair lending and civil rights, and consumer financial products or services and representatives of depository institutions that primarily serve underserved communities, and representatives of communities that have been significantly impacted by higher-priced mortgage loans, and seek representation of the interests of covered persons and consumers, without regard to party affiliation.’’ The determinants of ‘‘expertise’’ shall depend, in part, on the constituency, interests, or industry sector the nominee seeks to represent, and where appropriate, shall include significant experience as a direct service provider
to consumers.

The Bureau wishes to ensure adequate representation on the Board by women, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities and, therefore, encourages nominations of qualified candidates from these groups. The Bureau also wishes to establish a Board that is represented by a diversity of viewpoints and constituencies and, therefore, encourages nominations for qualified candidates who:

1. Represent the United States’ geographic diversity; and

2. Represent the interests of specialpopulations identified in the DoddFrank Act, including service members, older Americans, students, and traditionally underserved consumers and communities.

The Bureau will not entertain nominations of Federally registered lobbyists and individuals who have been convicted of a felony for a position on the Board.


### 10727 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 36 / Thursday, February 23, 2012 / Notices

IV. Nomination Procedures

Any interested person or organization may nominate a qualified candidate for membership on the Board. Nominations must include:

1. A letter describing the nominee’s interests and qualifications to serve on the Board and including an indication that the nominee is willing to be considered for Board membership; and

2. A complete resume or curriculum vitae for the nominee.

CFPB does not request letters of recommendation and will not consider them. To evaluate potential sources of conflicts of interest, the Bureau may ask potential candidates to provide information related to financial holdings and/or professional affiliations, and to allow the Bureau to perform a background check.

The Bureau will not review nominations and will not answer questions from internal or external parties regarding nominations until the nominations period has closed.

Dated: February 17, 2012. Meredith Fuchs, Chief of Staff, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2012–4240 Filed 2–22–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION**

**Notice of Submission for OMB Review**

**AGENCY :**  Department of Education.

**ACTION :**  Comment request.

**SUMMARY :**  The Acting Deputy Director, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13).

**DATES :**  Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before March 26, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written comments should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Education Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street N.W., Room 10222, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, be faxed to (202) 395–5806 or emailed to oira

_submission@omb.eop.gov with a
cc: to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The OMB is particularly interested in comments which: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate 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) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Dated: February 17, 2012. Ellen Campbell, Acting Deputy Director Privacy, Information and Records Management Services Office of Management. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Type of Review: Revision. Title of Collection: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR).

OMB Control Number: 1820–0624. Agency Form Number(s): N/A. Frequency of Responses: Annually. Affected Public: Federal Government. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 60.

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 330,600.

Abstract: In accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1416(b)(1), not later than one year after the date of enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as revised in 2004, each State must have in place a performance plan that evaluates the State’s efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of Part B and describe how the State will improve such implementation. This plan is called the Part B State Performance Plan (Part B— SPP). In accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1416(b)(2)(C)(ii) the State shall report annually to the public on the performance of each local educational agency located in the State on the targets in the State’s performance plan. The State also shall report annually to the Secretary on the performance of the State under the State’s performance plan. This report is called the Part B Annual Performance Report (Part B— APR). Information Collection 1820–0624 corresponds to 34 CFR 300.600–
300.602.

Copies of the information collection submission for OMB review may be accessed from the RegInfo.gov Web site
at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain or from the Department’s Web site at http://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 04736. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments ’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Washington, DC 20202–4537. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202– 401–0920. Please specify the complete title of the information collection and OMB Control Number when making your request.

Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8339.

[FR Doc. 2012–4221 Filed 2–22–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4000–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION**

**Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad**  **Program—Short-Term Projects and Advanced Overseas Intensive**  **Language Training Projects**

**AGENCY :**  Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

Overview Information: Fulbright-HaysGroup Projects Abroad Program—ShortTerm Projects and Advanced Overseas Intensive Language Training Projects; Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2012. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.021A and 84.021B.

Dates: Applications Available: February 23, 2012. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 23,
2012.

Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The FulbrightHays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program supports overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for groups of teachers, students, and faculty engaged