### 80901 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2011 / Notices

mammals, by Level B harassment, and that the total taking will have a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks. Impact on Availability of Affected Species for Taking for Subsistence Uses

There are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals implicated by this action. Endangered Species Act (ESA)

No marine mammal species listed under the ESA are anticipated to occur within the action area. Therefore, section 7 consultation under the ESA is not required. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ), as implemented by the regulations published by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and NOAA Administrative Order 216–6, NMFS prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to marine mammals and other applicable environmental resources resulting from issuance of a 1- year IHA to CWA for the take of marine mammals incidental to a high resolution geophysical survey in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. The EA will be made available on the NMFS Web site listed in the beginning of this document concurrently with this notice.

Dated: December 20, 2011. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–33167 Filed 12–23–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–22–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE**

**United States Patent and Trademark Office** 

**[Docket No.: PTO–C–2011–0080]**

**National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation**  **Committee**

**AGENCY :**  United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

**ACTION :**  Notice and request for
comments.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark Office) is requesting nominations of individuals to serve on the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee. The United States Patent and Trademark Office will consider all timely nominations received in response to this notice as well as from other sources.

**DATES :**  To ensure full consideration, nominations must be postmarked, faxed or electronically transmitted no later than January 26, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  Nominations must be submitted to: Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313–1450. Nominations also may be submitted via fax: (571) 273–0340 or by electronic mail to: nmti@uspto.gov.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Steven Berk, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313–1450, telephone (571) 272–8400, or electronic mail: nmti@uspto.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

The committee was established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix 2). The following provides information about the committee and membership:

• Committee members are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. The committee provides advice to the Secretary on the implementation of Public Law 96–480 (15 U.S.C. 3711), as amended August 9,
2007.

• The committee functions solely as an advisory body under the FACA. Members are appointed to the approximately 12-member committee for a term of three years. Each member will be reevaluated at the conclusion of the three-year term with the prospect of reappointment to one additional term, pending advisory committee needs and the Secretary’s concurrence. Selection of membership is made in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines.

• Members are responsible for reviewing nominations and making recommendations for the Nation’s highest honor for technological innovation, awarded annually by the President of the United States. Members of the committee must have an understanding of, and experience in, developing and utilizing technological innovation and/or be familiar with the education, training, employment and management of technological
manpower.

• The Department is seeking additional nominations of candidates from small, medium-sized, and large businesses and academia, with expertise in the following sub-sectors of the technology enterprise: Medical Innovations/Bioengineering and Biomedical Technology; Technology Management/Computing/IT/ Manufacturing Innovation; Technological Manpower/Workforce Training/Education. Under the FACA, membership on a committee must be balanced in background and expertise. In order to maximize the balance of background and expertise, nominations of individuals with backgrounds in the following SPECIAL EMPHASIS areas are particularly sought: Microbiology, Medical Science, Energy Sector, General Engineering, and Environmental Sciences.

• Committee members generally are Chief Executive Officers or former Chief Executive Officers; former winners of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation; presidents or distinguished faculty of universities; or senior executives of non-profit organizations. As such, they not only offer the stature of their positions but also possess intimate knowledge of the forces determining future directions for their organizations and industries. The committee as a whole is balanced in representing geographical, professional, and diverse interests.

Nomination Information

• Nominees must be United States citizens, must be able to fully participate in meetings pertaining to the review and selection of finalists for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and must uphold the confidential nature of an independent peer review and competitive selection
process.

• The United States Patent and Trademark Office is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and diverse committee membership.

Dated: December 15, 2011. David J. Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2011–33147 Filed 12–23–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–16–P**

**COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION** 

**Agency Information Collection Activities Under OMB Review** 

**AGENCY :**  Commodity Futures Trading Commission.


### 80902 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2011 / Notices

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the rule requiring notification of pending legal proceedings pursuant to 17 CFR 1.60.

**DATES :**  Comments must be submitted on or before February 27, 2012.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Lynn A. Bulan, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 1155 21st Street NW., Washington, DC 20581, (202) 418– 5143; fax: (202) 418–5567; email: lbulan@cftc.gov and refer to OMB Control No. 3038–0033.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Under the PRA, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information that they conduct or sponsor. ‘‘Collection of information’’ is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, the CFTC is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information listed below.

With respect to the following collection of information, the CFTC invites comments on:

• Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have a practical use;

• The accuracy of the Commission’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

• Ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Ways to minimize the burden of 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; e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses. Notification of Pending Legal Proceedings Pursuant to 17 CFR 1.60, OMB Control Number 3038–0033– Extension

The rule is designed to assist the Commission in monitoring legal proceedings involving the responsibilities imposed on contract markets and their officials and futures commission merchants (FCMs) and their principals by the Commodity Exchange Act, or otherwise.

The Commission’s rules require FCMs and introducing brokers: (1) To provide their customers with standard risk disclosure statements concerning the risk of trading commodity interests; and (2) to retain all promotional material and the source of authority for information contained therein. The purpose of these rules is to ensure that customers are advised of the risks of trading commodity interests and to avoid fraud and misrepresentations. In addition, the Commission’s rules impose obligations on contract markets that are designed to avoid manipulation and fraud. In order to ensure compliance with these rules, the Commission requires the information whose collection and dissemination is required under 17 CFR 1.60.

The Commission estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows:



### E STIMATED 

### ANNUAL 

### R EPORTING 

### B URDEN

17 CFR Section Annual number of respondents Total annual respondents Hours per response Total hours

1.60 .................................................................................................................. 108 1 .20.20

There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs associated with this collection.

Issued in Washington, DC on December 20, 2011, by the Commission. David A. Stawick, Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2011–33179 Filed 12–23–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE P**

**COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE**  **DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA**

**Senior Executive Service; Performance Review Board; Members** 

**AGENCY :**  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia. **ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  Section 4314(c) of Title 5, U.S.C. (as amended by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978) requires each agency to establish, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management, one or more Performance Review Boards (PRB) to review, evaluate and make a final recommendation on performance appraisals assigned to individual members of the agency’s Senior Executive Service. The PRB established for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), including the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency, an independent entity within CSOSA, also makes recommendations to the agency head regarding SES performance awards, rank awards and bonuses. Section 4314(c)(4) requires that notice of appointment of Performance Review Board members be published in the Federal Register

.

The following persons have been appointed to serve as members of the Performance Review Board for the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency: Thomas Williams, Jasper Ormond, Cedric Hendricks, James Williams, Linda Mays, William Kirkendale, Susan Shaffer, Clifford Keenan, and Leslie Cooper.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Tonya Turner, Deputy Associate Director for Human Resources, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, 655 15th Street NW., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 220–5477.