11184 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 36 / Thursday, February 22, 2001 / Notices

Comments submitted in response to

this notice will be summarized and

included in the request for the Office of

Management and Budget approval of the

information collection request.

Comments will become a matter of

public record.

Dated: February 13, 2001.

Stanley Seidel,

First Assistant to the Secretary, Veterans’

Employment and Training Service.

[FR Doc. 01–4410 Filed 2–21–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–79–P

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND

SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 01–028]

National Environmental Policy Act;

Mars Exploration Rover-2003 Project

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and

Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an

environmental impact statement and to

conduct scoping for the Mars

Exploration Rover-2003 (MER–2003)

project.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969

(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et

seq.), the Council on Environmental

Quality Regulations for Implementing

the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40

CFR parts 1500–1508), and NASA’s

policy and procedures (14 CFR part

1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA intends to

conduct scoping and prepare an

environmental impact statement (EIS)

for the proposed Mars Exploration

Rover-2003 (MER–2003) project. The

purpose of this project would be to

place two mobile science laboratories

(rovers) on the surface of Mars to

remotely conduct geological

investigations, and to characterize a

diversity of rocks and soils, which may

hold clues to past water activity.

The MER–2003 project involves two

launches in 2003 of identical MER–2003

spacecraft (the MER–A mission and

MER–B mission) from Cape Canaveral

Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida. The

MER–A launch aboard a Delta II launch

system would occur during May or June

2003. The MER–B launch would occur

during June or July 2003, also aboard a

Delta II launch system. Potential

environmental impacts to be considered

are those potential impacts associated

with normal launches from CCAFS, and

radiological and non-radiological risks

associated with launch accidents. Each

rover and its associated lander in

combination (lander-rover) may require

the use of up to 11 Radioisotope Heater

Units (RHUs) for temperature control

and small quantities of curium-244 and

cobalt-57 for scientific instrumentation.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to

submit comments on environmental

concerns in writing on or before April

9, 2001, to assure full consideration

during the scoping process.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be

addressed to Mr. David Lavery, NASA

Headquarters, Code SD, Washington, DC

20546–0001. While hardcopy comments

are preferred, comments may be sent by

electronic mail to:

marsnepa@hq.nasa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Lavery, 202–358–4800 or by

electronic mail at

marsnepa@hq.nasa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA

proposes to launch the MER–2003

spacecraft (MER–A and MER–B) in 2003

to gather scientific data on the

geological characteristics of the Martian

surface environment in pursuit of

NASA’s goal of understanding Mars in

terms of whether or not life exists or has

ever existed on the planet. The MER–

2003 project would help NASA ensure

continuity of its overall Mars

exploration efforts.

The proposed first launch of the

MER–A mission would take place

during May or June 2003 from CCAFS.

A Delta II launch system would be

employed to launch the spacecraft on its

trajectory to Mars, with an arrival in

January 2004. The Delta II launch

system would include nine graphite

epoxy strap-on solid rocket motors, a

liquid bi-propellant first stage, a liquid

bi-propellant restartable second stage,

and a solid propellant STAR–48B third

stage. The MER–B mission would be

launched from CCAFS during June or

July 2003 using a Delta II launch system,

with an arrival at Mars in February

2004.

Each MER–2003 spacecraft would

consist of a cruise stage and an entry,

descent, and landing (EDL) system

which would include an aeroshell,

backshell, parachute, and airbags. A

lander containing a large rover would be

enclosed within the EDL system. The

primary function of the EDL system

would be to convey its lander-rover

safely to the surface of the planet. Each

rover would weigh up to approximately

153 kilograms (about 337 pounds). Each

rover would carry all science

instruments and communications

equipment for transmitting to and

receiving data from Earth, either by

using an existing Mars orbiting

spacecraft or by communicating directly

with Earth.

Each rover would be equipped with a

number of scientific instruments,

including: a stereo panoramic camera, a

miniature thermal emission

spectrometer, a magnetic target array, a

Moe ̈ssbauer spectrometer, a microscopic

surface imager, an alpha-particle X-ray

spectrometer (APXS), and a rock

abrasion tool. These instruments would

be employed to characterize the

chemical and geological nature of the

landing site and surrounding area, and

to provide images for transmission to

Earth. Each rover would be designed to

function a minimum of 90 sols (1 sol =

1 Martian day = 24 hours, 37 minutes

or 1.026 Earth days). The Moe ̈ssbauer

spectrometer and the APXS both would

employ small amounts of radioactive

materials as instrument sources. The

Moe ̈ssbauer spectrometer would utilize

up to 1.30 × 1010 becquerels (Bq) (350

millicuries (mCi)) of cobalt-57. The

APXS would use up to 1.85 × 109 Bq (50

mCi) of curium-244. Radioisotope

Heater Units (RHUs) would be used on

each rover to support survival of science

instruments and electronics in the low

temperatures on Mars. RHUs may also

be required on each lander for thermal

control during cruise. Each RHU

contains approximately 2.7 grams (about

0.1 ounce) of plutonium dioxide to

generate heat. A total of up to eleven

RHUs may be required on-board each

lander-rover. The inventory of

plutonium dioxide on-board each

lander-rover could total up to 29.7

grams (1.1 ounces) with a total activity

of about 13.5 × 1012 Bq (approximately

365 curies (Ci)).

The proposed MER–2003 missions

would employ a technique similar to

that demonstrated by the 1996 Mars

Pathfinder mission to ensure a safe

landing on the surface of Mars. This

technique would employ a heat shield,

small solid retro-rockets, and a

parachute to decelerate the lander as it

passes through the Martian atmosphere.

A system of airbags would then be used

to cushion and protect the lander upon

contact with the Martian surface. Once

each lander comes to rest the airbags

would deflate and the lander petals

would unfold. Each rover would then

drive off of its lander platform and begin

exploring the landing site. NASA has

not selected specific landing sites yet

but is currently considering potential

sites between 15 degrees South to 5

degrees North for the MER–A mission,

and between 15 degrees South and 15

degrees North for the MER–B mission.

This EIS will address the purpose and

need for the proposed MER–2003

project in detail and the environmental

impacts associated with its

implementation. The environmental

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 36 / Thursday, February 22, 2001 / Notices 11185

impacts of this project are anticipated to

be those associated with the normal

launch of both missions. Potential

consequences of accident situations will

also be addressed.

Written public input and comments

on environmental impacts and concerns

associated with the Mars Exploration

Rover-2003 project are requested.

Jeffrey E. Sutton,

Associate Administrator for Management

Systems.

[FR Doc. 01–4363 Filed 2–21–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7510–01–P

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

Advisory Committee Meetings/

Conference Calls

AGENCY: National Council on Disability

(NCD).

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the

schedule of the forthcoming meetings/

conference calls for NCD’s advisory

committee—International Watch. Notice

of this meeting is required under section

10(a)(1)(2) of the Federal Advisory

Committee Act (P.L. 92–463).

International Watch

The purpose of NCD’s International

Watch is to share information on

international disability issues and to

advise NCD’s Foreign Policy Team on

developing policy proposals that will

advocate for a foreign policy that is

consistent with the values and goals of

the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Work Group: International

Convention on the Human Rights of

People with Disabilities.

Date and Time: March 8, 2001, 11

a.m.–12 p.m. EST.

Work Group: Inclusion of People with

Disabilities in Foreign Assistance

Programs.

Date and Time: March 14, 2001, 12

p.m.–1 p.m. EST.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kathleen A. Blank, Attorney/Program

Specialist, NCD, 1331 F Street NW,

Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20004;

202–272–2004 (Voice), 202–272–2074

(TTY), 202–272–2022 (Fax),

kblank@ncd.gov (e-mail).

Agency Mission

NCD is an independent federal agency

composed of 15 members appointed by

the President of the United States and

confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Its overall

purpose is to promote policies,

programs, practices, and procedures that

guarantee equal opportunity for all

people with disabilities, regardless of

the nature of severity of the disability;

and to empower people with disabilities

to achieve economic self-sufficiency,

independent living, and inclusion and

integration into all aspects of society.

This committee is necessary to

provide advice and recommendations to

NCD on international disability issues.

We currently have balanced

membership representing a variety of

disabling conditions from across the

United States.

Open Meetings/Conference Calls

These advisory committee meetings/

conference calls of NCD will be open to

the public. However, due to fiscal

constraints and staff limitations, a

limited number of additional lines will

be available. Individuals can also

participate in the conference calls at the

NCD office. Those interested in joining

these conference calls should contact

the appropriate staff member listed

above.

Records will be kept of all

International Watch meetings/

conference calls and will be available

after the meeting for public inspection

at NCD.

Signed in Washington, DC, on February 15,

2001.

Ethel D. Briggs,

Executive Director.

[FR Doc. 01–4357 Filed 2–21–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820–MA–M

NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING

COMMISSION

Paperwork Reduction Act

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming

Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming

Commission (NIGC), in accordance with

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, is

submitting to the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) a request to review

and extend approval for the following

information collection activities: (1)

Compliance and Enforcement under the

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA);

(2) approval of Class II and Class III

Gaming Ordinances; and (3) National

Environmental Policy Act Procedures.

The NIGC is also submitting a request

for reinstatement of the approval for

collection of information related to its

review and approval of management

contracts for the operation of tribal

gaming facilities. OMB previously

approved this information collection

requirement but the approval has

expired. The OMB will consider

comments from the public on these

information collection activities.

Dates and Addresses: Comments for

the NIGC’s evaluation of the information

collection activities and its request to

OMB to extend or approve the

information collections must be

received by March 31, 2001. When

providing comment, a respondent

should specify the particular collection

activity to which the comment pertains.

Send comments to: Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs

(Attn: Desk Officer for the National

Indian Gaming Commission), Office of

Management and Budget, 725 17th

Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. The

NIGC regulations to which the

information collections pertain are

available on the NIGC website,

www.nigc.gov. A copy of the NEPA

procedures for the NIGC are available on

request by providing a mailing address

to the point of contact for questions and

comments listed on the website. Both

the regulations and the NEPA

procedures are also available by written

request to the NIGC (Attn: Ms. Juanita

Mendoza), 1441 L Street NW., Suite

9100, Washington, DC, 20005, or by

telephone request at (202) 632–7003.

This is not a toll-free number. All other

requests for information should be

submitted to Ms. Mendoza at the above

address for the NIGC.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Compliance and Enforcement

under the Indian Gaming Regulatory

Act.

OMB Number: 3141–0001.

Abstract: The Indian Gaming

Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.)

[IGRA] governs the regulation of gaming

on Indian lands. Although the IGRA

places primary responsibility with the

tribes for regulating gaming, section

2706 (b) of the Act directs the NIGC to

monitor gaming conducted on Indian

lands on a continuing basis. The IGRA

authorizes the NIGC to access and

inspect all papers, books and records

relating to gaming conducted on Indian

lands. In accordance with this statutory

responsibility, 25 CFR 571.7 requires

Indian gaming operations to keep

permanent financial records. 25 CFR

571.12 and 571.13 require, respectively,

an annual independent audit of a tribe’s

gaming operations and submission of

this audit to the NIGC. The NIGC uses

this information to fulfill its statutory

responsibility to monitor Indian gaming.

Additionally, section 2713(a) of the

IGRA authorizes the Chairman to issue

civil fine assessments and closure

orders for violations of the Act or the

Commission’s regulations. This

authority is implemented through 25

CFR part 575. The full Commission