Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 112 / Monday, June 10, 1996 / Notices 29423

IV. Regulatory Impact Statement

We generally prepare a regulatory

flexibility analysis that is consistent

with the Regulatory Flexibility Act

(RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 through 612), unless

we certify that a notice would not have

a significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities. For

purposes of the RFA, States and

individuals are not considered small

entities. However, providers are

considered small entities. Additionally,

section 1102(b) of the Act requires us to

prepare a regulatory impact analysis if

a notice may have a significant impact

on the operations of a substantial

number of small rural hospitals. Such

an analysis must conform to the

provisions of section 604 of the RFA.

For purposes of section 1102(b) of the

Act, we define a small rural hospital as

a hospital that is located outside of a

Metropolitan Statistical Area and has

fewer than 50 beds.

This notice sets forth no changes in

our regulations; rather, it reflects the

DSH allotments for each State as

determined in accordance with

§§ 447.297 through 447.299.

We have discussed the method of

calculating the preliminary FFY 1996

national aggregate DSH target and the

preliminary FFY 1996 individual State

DSH allotments in the previous sections

of this notice. These calculations should

have a positive impact on payments to

DSHs. Allotments will not be reduced

for high-DSH States since we interpret

the 12-percent limit as a target. LowDSH States will get their prior FFY DSH

allotments plus their growth amounts.

In accordance with the provisions

with Executive Order 12886, this notice

was reviewed by the Office of

Management and Budget.

(Catalog of Federal Assistance Program No.

93.778, Medical Assistance Program)

Dated: February 21, 1996.

Bruce C. Vladeck,

Administrator, Health Care Financing

Administration.

Dated: April 5, 1996.

Donna E. Shalala,

Secretary.

(Sec. 1102 of the Social Security Act; 42

U.S.C. 1302)

Dated: June 4, 1996.

Neil J. Stillman,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information

Resources Management.

[FR Doc. 96–14595 Filed 6–7–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4120–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Request for Information Relevant to

the Issuance of Import Permits for

Argali Sheep From Mongolia,

Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (Service) has been notified that

Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan

have established export quotas for sporthunted trophies of argali sheep (Ovis

ammon ammon, Ovis ammon darwini,

and Ovis ammon polii). The Service

requests information on argali

population status and management in

these three countries to be considered in

processing permit applications.

DATES: Information from all interested

parties must be received by August 9,

1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments, information,

and questions should be addressed to

the Chief, Office of Management

Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive,

Room 430, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Fax Number (703) 358–2280. Comments

and other information received will be

available for public inspection, by

appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, at the

Arlington, Virginia address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kenneth Stansell, Chief, Office of

Management Authority, at the above

address or by phone at (703) 358–2093.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(Service) classified the argali sheep

(Ovis ammon) populations as

endangered pursuant to the Endangered

Species Act of 1973, as amended,

effective January 1, 1993, except for the

populations in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia,

and Tajikistan (57 FR 28014). At the

same time, populations in these three

countries were listed as threatened with

a special rule that allows for the

issuance of threatened species permits

for the import of sport-hunted trophies.

The special rule also establishes criteria

which, if met, would result in the

removal of this permit requirement, thus

allowing imports in accordance with

Sec. 9(c)(2) of the Act.

During the time that this special rule

was under legal challenge, the Service

proposed reclassifying the argali

population in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia,

and Tajikistan from threatened to

endangered on April 27, 1993, (58 FR

25595) because of concern about the

removal of controls on imports into the

United States and the potential for an

unlimited number of imports.

After the special rule was sustained

by the court, the Service began issuing

a limited number of import permits for

sport-hunted trophies of argali from

Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, countries

with management programs deemed to

be sufficient to be able to make the

required findings for permit issuance.

No permits have been issued for the

import of trophies from Tajikistan and

the permits for argali from Kyrgyzstan

have been limited to those trophies

taken in areas believed to be outside the

range of Ovis ammon karelini.

In 1993, the Service supported a study

to obtain additional information on the

status and management of argali and

enforcement capabilities for this species

in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan.

This study was conducted and a report

prepared by Drs. Anna Luschekina and

A. Fedosenko, and availability of the

report was announced in the March 12,

1994, Federal Register notice (59 FR

13302).

In 1994, Mongolia imposed export

quotas of 5 and 10 argali trophies from

southeastern and western portions of

Mongolia, respectively, representing the

range of Ovis ammon darwini and Ovis

ammon ammon. The quotas were

increased to 10 animals in each area in

1995 and again in 1996. A portion of the

licensing fees have gone toward

activities contributing to enhancement

of management and conservation of the

argali, including population surveys and

waterhole construction.

Kyrgyzstan imposed an export quota

of 16 argali trophies in 1995 from

hunting area(s) in the Naryn area, the

range of Ovis ammon polii. The quota

was increased to 20 for 1996. A portion

of the licensing fees have gone toward

the management of argali. The

Government of Kyrgyzstan, having

already established reserves for Ovis

ammon karelini, is committed to

establishing reserves for Ovis ammon

polii.

The Service has received information

from a hunting outfitter indicating that

Tajikistan has established a hunting

quota of 20 argali trophies for 1996. The

Service is currently seeking

confirmation of this information with

the Ministry of Nature Conservation in

Tajikistan. A survey of argali in the

eastern Pamirs region of Tajikistan by

A.K. Fedosenko, has been recently

received by the Service and is available

upon request. This report indicates

there was a quota of 12–15 argali

trophies in previous hunting seasons.

With the retention of import controls

established in the special rule and

without evidence that the status or
29424 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 112 / Monday, June 10, 1996 / Notices

management of argali in Kyrgyzstan,

Mongolia, or Tajikistan has changed

since the original classification of these

populations in June 23, 1992 (57 FR

28014), the Service continues to

consider these populations as

threatened. Except for the recent report

by Fedosenko on argali in the Pamirs

region in Tajikistan, the Service has

received little additional information on

the status and management of argali in

these countries since the 1993 report

funded by the Service. Thus, the Service

is requesting additional and updated

information from the Governments of

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia

and from individuals and organizations

knowledgeable about the status and

management of the argali in these three

range countries.

Information Solicited

The Service can only issue a

threatened species permit for the import

of argali trophies when it finds that the

activity will enhance the propagation or

survival of the species. So the Service

solicits information on the status of

argali populations in Kyrgyzstan,

Mongolia, and Tajikistan, including: (1)

Whether the population in each country

is sufficiently large, viable, and

adequately protected to sustain sport

hunting, (2) whether the regulating

authorities in these range countries

recognize these argali populations as a

valuable resource and have the legal and

practical means to manage these argali

populations, including examples of any

recent management initiatives, and (3)

whether the regulating authorities can

ensure that the exported trophy has in

fact been legally taken from the

specified population. In addition, the

Service seeks information on how any

funds derived from the involved sport

hunt or any contributions made directly

by the applicant and/or the outfitter

have been applied to argali

conservation, including specific

examples.

Information received will be

considered in developing the Service’s

findings for future permit applications

for the import of sport-hunted argali

trophies. In the meantime, the Service

continues to process applications and

make its decisions on existing

information.

Dated: May 30, 1996.

John G. Rogers,

Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 96–14377 Filed 6–7–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

Bureau of Land Management

Lower Snake River District Resource

Advisory Council; Meeting

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management—

Interior.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Lower Snake River

District Resource Advisory Council will

meet at the district office to discuss

options for applying terms and

conditions for improving riparian areas

to livestock grazing permits and leases.

DATES: Tuesday, June 18, 1996. The

meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and a

public comment period will begin at

9:00 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The Lower Snake River

District Office is located at 3948

Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Barry Rose, Lower Snake River District

Office (208–384–3393).

Dated: June 4, 1996.

Barry Rose,

Public Affairs Specialist.

[FR Doc. 96–14551 Filed 6–7–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

COMMISSION

[USITC SE–96–11]

Sunshine Act Meeting

AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: United

States International Trade Commission.

TIME AND DATE: June 18, 1996 at 9:30

a.m.

PLACE: Room 101, 500 E Street S.W.,

Washington, DC 20436.

STATUS: Open to the public.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:

1. Agenda for future meeting

2. Minutes

3. Ratification List

4. Inv. No. 731–TA–739 (Final) (Clad Steel

Plate from Japan)—briefing and vote.

5. Inv. No. 731–TA–732–733 (Final) (Circular

Welded Non-Alloy Steel Pipe from

Romania and South Africa)—briefing and

vote.

6. Outstanding action jackets: None.

In accordance with Commission

policy, subject matter listed above, not

disposed of at the scheduled meeting,

may be carried over to the agenda of the

following meeting.

By order of the Commission:

Issued: June 6, 1996

Donna R. Koehnke,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 96–14749 Filed 6–6–96; 1:05 pm]

BILLING CODE 7020–02–P

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of the Deputy Attorney General

Office of Tribal Justice; Policy on

Indian Sovereignty

AGENCY: Office of Tribal Justice,

Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice publishes the

‘‘Department of Justice Policy on Indian

Sovereignty and Government-toGovernment Relations.’’ The Polcy

reaffirms both the Department’s

recognition of the sovereign status of

federally recognized Indian tribes and

the Department’s adherence to

government-to-government relations

with federally recognized Indian tribes.

The Policy also contains a directive to

all components of the Department of

Justice to inform attorneys of the

responsibilities enumerated in the

policy and to make all reasonable efforts

to ensure that component activities

conform to its terms. The Policy also

directs Department of Justice

component heads to appoint a contact

person to work with the Office of Tribal

Justice to address Indian issues within

each component.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Herbert A. Becker, Director, Office of

Tribal Justice, Room 1509, Main

Building, Department of Justice.

Telephone: (202) 514–8812. FAX: (202)

514–9078.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Attached

is a copy of the ‘‘Department of Justice

Policy on Indian Sovereignty and

Government-to-Government Relations

with Indian Tribes,’’ which the Attorney

General signed on June 1, 1995.

Dated: June 3, 1996.

Herbert A. Becker,

Director, Office of Tribal Justice.

Office of the Attorney General

Washington, DC 20530

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE POLICY ON

INDIAN SOVEREIGNTY AND

GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT

RELATIONS WITH INDIAN TRIBES

Purpose

To reaffirm the Department’s recognition of

the sovereign status of federally recognized

Indian tribes as domestic dependent nations

and to reaffirm adherence to the principles of

government-to-government relations; to

inform Department personnel, other federal

agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes,

and the public of the Department’s working

relationships with federally recognized

Indian tribes; and to guide the Department in

its work in the field of Indian affairs.

I. Introduction

From its earliest days, the United States

has recognized the sovereign status of Indian