[Federal Register: July 24, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 141)]
[
Notices]
[Page 40293-40294]
[DOCID:fr24jy07-58]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OECA-2006-0725; FRL-8445-2]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for
Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP for Plywood and Composite
Wood Products (Renewal) EPA ICR Number 1984.03; OMB Control Number
2060-0552

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection
Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing
approved collection. The ICR which is abstracted below describes the
nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.

DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before August 23,
2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OECA-2006-0725, to (1) EPA online using http://www.regulations.gov (our
preferred method), or by e-mail to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or by mail to:

EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental Protection Agency,
Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center, mail code
2201T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB
at: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management
and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Learia Williams, Compliance Assessment
and Media Programs Division, Office of Compliance, Mail Code 2223A,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax number:
(202) 564-0050; e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB
for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR
1320.12. On October 5, 2006 (71 FR 38853), EPA sought comments on this
ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any
additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB
within 30 days of this notice.
    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID
Number EPA-HQ-OECA-2006-0725, which is available for public viewing
online at http://www.regulations.gov, in person viewing at the

Enforcement and Compliance Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC),
EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The
EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone
number for the Reading Room is<PHONE_NUMBER>, and the telephone number
for the Enforcement and Compliance Docket Center is<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at http://
www.regulations.gov
, to submit, or view public comments, access the

index listing of the contents of the docket, and access those documents
in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system,
select ``docket search,'' then key in the docket ID number identified
above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether
submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public
viewing at http://www.regulations.gov, as EPA receives them and without

change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other
information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For
further information about the electronic docket, go to
http://www.regulations.gov.

    Title: NESHAP for Plywood and Composite Wood Products (40 CFR part
63, subpart DDDD).
    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR Number 1984.03; OMB Control Number 2060-0552.
    ICR Status: This ICR is scheduled to expire on August 31, 2007.
Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor
the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB.
An Agency may not conduct, or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations
in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when
approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and displayed either by
publication in the Federal Register, or by other appropriate means,
such as on the related collection instrument, or form, if applicable.
The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is
consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.
    Abstract: The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants (NESHAP) for Plywood and Composite Wood Products (40 CFR
part 63, subpart DDDD) were proposed on January 9, 2003, promulgated on
July 30, 2004, and amended on February 16, 2006.
    This regulation covers new and existing plywood and composite wood
products (PCWP) facilities. Plywood and/or composite products are
manufactured by bonding wood material (fibers, particles, strands,
veneers, etc.), or agricultural fiber with resin, generally under heat
and pressure, to form a structural panel, or engineered wood product.
Plywood and composite products include, but are not limited to,
plywood, veneer, particleboard, oriented strand board, hardboard,
fiberboard, medium density fiberboard, laminated strand lumber,
laminated veneer lumber, wood I-joists, kiln-dried lumber and glue-
laminated beams.
    Owners/operators of plywood and composite products facilities are
required to submit initial notification, performance tests, and
compliance status reports. Respondents also are

required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any
startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected
facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is
inoperative. Semiannual reports also are required. These notifications,
reports, and records are essential in determining compliance and are
required, in general, of all sources subject to NESHAP.
    Any owner, or operator subject to the provisions of this part shall
maintain a file of these measurements and retain the file for at least
five years following the date of such measurements, maintain reports
and records. All reports are sent to the delegated state, or local
authority. In the event that there is no such delegated authority, the
reports are sent directly to the EPA regional office. This information
is being collected to assure compliance with 40 CFR part 63, subpart
DDDD as authorized in section 112 and 114(a) of the Clean Air Act. The
required information consists of emissions data and other information
that have been determined to be private.
    An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for EPA's
regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15, and are
identified on the form and/or instrument, if applicable.
    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 22
hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or
disclose or provide information to, or for a Federal agency. This
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire,
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information;
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable
instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train
personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search
data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and
transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: Plywood and composite products
facilities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 228.
    Frequency of Response: Initially and semiannually.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 12,732.
    Estimated Total Cost for Responses: $1,651,907, which consists of
$428,640 annualized capital/startup costs, $15,682 annual O&M costs,
and $1,207,585 in labor costs.
    Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 8,040 hours in
the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of
Approved ICR Burdens. There is an adjustment increase in total
estimated burden as currently identified in the OMB Inventory of
Approved Burdens. This increase is not due to any program changes. The
change in the burden and cost estimates occurred because the standard
has been in effect for more than three years and the requirements are
different during initial compliance (new facilities) as compared to on-
going compliance (existing facilities). The previous ICR reflected
those burdens and costs associated with the initial activities for
subject facilities. This includes purchasing monitoring equipment,
conducting performance test(s) and establishing recordkeeping systems.
This ICR reflects the on-going burden and costs for existing
facilities. Activities for existing source include continuously
monitoring of pollutants and the submission of semiannual reports. In
addition, there are a small number of new facilities that are in the
initial compliance phase described above. The overall result is an
increase in burden hours and costs.

    Dated: July 17, 2007.
Sara Hisel-McCoy,
Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division.
 [FR Doc. E7-14262 Filed 7-23-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 33789]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13702]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Upon Written Request Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC
20549-0213.

Extension:
    Electronic Data Collection System, SEC File No. 270-621, OMB
Control No. 3235-0672.

    Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of
information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this
extension for a current collection of information to the Office of
Management and Budget for approval. The Securities and Exchange
Commission has implemented an Electronic Data Collection System
database (the Database) and invites comment on the Database that
supports information provided by the general public that would like to
file a tip or complaint with the Commission. The Database is a web
based e-filed dynamic report based on technology that pre-populates and
establishes a series of questions based on the data that the individual
enters. The individual then completes specific information on the
subject(s) and nature of the suspicious activity, using the data
elements appropriate to the type of complaint or subject. There are no
costs associated with this collection. The public interface to the
Database is available using the Tips, Complaints and Referrals Portal.
Information is provided voluntarily.
    Estimated number of annual responses = 13,120.
    Estimated annual reporting burden = 6,560 hours (30 minutes per
submission).
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether this collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
imposed by the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Background documentation for this information collection may be
viewed at the following Web site, www.reginfo.gov. Please direct
general comments to the following persons: (i) Desk Officer for the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Management and Budget,
Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 or send
an email to Shagufta Ahmed at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Thomas
Bayer, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange
Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon, 100 F St. NE., Washington, DC 20549;
or send an email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Comments must be submitted
within 30 days of this notice.

    Dated: June 6, 2014.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-13702 Filed 6-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 207 (Monday, October 26, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67733-67736]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23653]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF20-5-000]

Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental
Issues for the Planned LA Storage, LLC Hackberry Storage Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the Hackberry Storage Project involving
construction and operation of facilities by LA Storage, LLC (LA
Storage) in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana. The Commission
will use this environmental document in its decision-making process to
determine whether the project is in the public convenience and
necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and Environmental Document section of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. To ensure
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your

comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 19, 2020. Comments may be
submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments
are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
    Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission
staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the
environmental document.
    If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on July 1, 2020, you will need to file those
comments in Docket No. PF20-5-000 to ensure they are considered.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this planned
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent
domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach
an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be
determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The Commission does
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these
matters.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know? addresses typically
asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to
participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet along with
other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the links to Natural Gas Questions or
Landowner Topics.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking
on eRegister. You will be asked to select the type of filing you are
making; a comment on a particular project is considered a Comment on a
Filing; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF20-5-
000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must
be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly
D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins
Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription, which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances
and submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe.
These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive
notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce
the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.

Summary of the Planned Project

    The purpose of the Hackberry Storage Project is to construct and
operate a high-deliverability salt dome natural gas storage facility in
Cameron Parish, Louisiana, capable of providing 20.03 billion cubic
feet (Bcf) of working gas storage capacity, 1.5 Bcf per day of gas
deliverability and injectability, and interconnecting with the Cameron
Interstate Pipeline (CIP) facilities operated by Cameron Interstate
Pipeline, LLC and the Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector (PAPLC)
facilities to be operated by Port Arthur Pipeline, LLC in Cameron and
Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana.
    The project would involve the conversion of three existing salt
dome caverns to natural gas storage service and the development of one
new salt dome cavern for additional natural gas storage service, all
within a permanent natural gas storage facility on a 160-acre tract of
land owned by LA Storage. In addition to the storage caverns, LA
Storage would construct and operate on-site compression facilities
(Pelican Compressor Station) and up to six solution mining water supply
wells at the storage facility on LA Storage's property.
    The project would also construct:
     The Hackberry Pipeline, consisting of approximately 11.4
miles of 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline connecting the
certificated PAPLC pipeline (CP18-7) to the natural gas storage
caverns;
     the CIP Lateral, an approximately 5.2-mile-long, 42-inch-
diameter natural gas pipeline extending from the existing CIP to the
planned natural gas storage caverns;
     metering and regulating at the CIP and PAPLC
interconnects; and
     an approximately 6.6-mile-long, 16-inch-diameter brine
disposal pipeline that would transport brine from the caverns to four
saltwater disposal wells located on two pads north of the facility.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called eLibrary. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free,<PHONE_NUMBER>
or TTY<PHONE_NUMBER>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 441
acres of land. Following construction, LA Storage would maintain about
235 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the
remaining acreage would

be restored and revert to former uses. The Hackberry Pipeline, CIP
Lateral, and brine disposal pipeline would be collocated for 5.2 miles.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation
of the planned project under the relevant general resource areas:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
planned project or portions of the project and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
    Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff
have already initiated a NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing
process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve
issues before the Commission receives an application. As part of the
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the
preparation of the environmental document.
    If a formal application is filed, Commission staff will then
determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present
Commission staff's independent analysis of the environmental issues. If
Commission staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an EA will be issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed
project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued once an application is
filed, which will open an additional public comment period. Staff will
then prepare a draft EIS that will be issued for public comment.
Commission staff will consider all timely comments received during the
comment period on the draft EIS, and revise the document, as necessary,
before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and final EIS will be
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary
\2\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant
email notification when the environmental document is issued.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues related to this project to formally cooperate in
the preparation of the environmental document.\3\ Agencies that would
like to request cooperating agency status should follow the
instructions for filing comments provided under the Public
Participation section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s),
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential
effects on historic properties.\4\ The environmental document for this
project will document our findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; Native
American Tribes; and other interested parties. This list also includes
all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's regulations)
who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used
temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain
distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on
the project and includes a mailing address with their comments.
Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the
analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this
environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the
planned project.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the
attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once LA Storage files its application with the Commission, you may
want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the
Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek
rehearing of the Commission's decision and be heard by the courts if
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to
intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully
described at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.asp. Please
note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor status
at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a formal
application for the project, after which the Commission will issue a
public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number in
the Docket Number field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or toll free at<PHONE_NUMBER>, or for TTY,
contact<PHONE_NUMBER>. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.

    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.

    Dated: October 20, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-23653 Filed 10-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76377-76378]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26476]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-4287-DR; Docket ID FEMA-2016-0001]

Kansas; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major
disaster for the State of Kansas (FEMA-4287-DR), dated October 20,
2016, and related determinations.

DATES: Effective Date: October 20, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Webster, Office of Response and
Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20472,<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter
dated October 20, 2016, the President issued a major disaster
declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the
``Stafford Act''), as follows:

    I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the State
of Kansas resulting from severe storms and flooding during the
period of September 2-12, 2016, is of sufficient severity and
magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.
5121 et seq. (the ``Stafford Act''). Therefore, I declare that such
a major disaster exists in the State of Kansas.
    In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby
authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes such
amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and
administrative expenses.
    You are authorized to provide Public Assistance in the
designated areas and Hazard Mitigation throughout the State.
Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance be
supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for
Hazard Mitigation will be limited to 75

percent of the total eligible costs. Federal funds provided under
the Stafford Act for Public Assistance also will be limited to 75
percent of the total eligible costs, with the exception of projects
that meet the eligibility criteria for a higher Federal cost-sharing
percentage under the Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Pilot
Program for Debris Removal implemented pursuant to section 428 of
the Stafford Act.
    Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration
for the approved assistance to the extent allowable under the
Stafford Act.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice
that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under
Executive Order 12148, as amended, Christian M. Van Alstyne, of FEMA is
appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this major
disaster.
    The following areas of the State of Kansas have been designated as
adversely affected by this major disaster:

    Cheyenne, Cowley, Ellis, Graham, Greenwood, Kingman, Norton,
Rooks, Russell, Sedgwick, and Sumner Counties for Public Assistance.
    All areas within the State of Kansas are eligible for assistance
under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

    The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers
(CFDA) are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030,
Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund; 97.032, Crisis
Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services; 97.034, Disaster
Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance
Grant; 97.048, Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and
Households In Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas; 97.049,
Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance--Disaster Housing
Operations for Individuals and Households; 97.050, Presidentially
Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households--Other
Needs; 97.036, Disaster Grants--Public Assistance (Presidentially
Declared Disasters); 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant.

W. Craig Fugate,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2016-26476 Filed 11-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-23-P


[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 2 (Friday, January 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 419-420]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31420]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-71195; File No. SR-FINRA-2013-047]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, Inc.; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Amend FINRA
Rule 8312 (FINRA BrokerCheck Disclosure) To Include Information About
the Member Firms and Their Associated Persons of Any Registered
National Securities Exchange That Uses the CRD System for Registration
Purposes

December 27, 2013.

I. Introduction

    On November 1, 2013, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority,
Inc. (``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a
proposed rule change to amend FINRA Rule 8312 (FINRA BrokerCheck
Disclosure) to include in BrokerCheck information about the members and
their associated persons of any registered national securities exchange
that uses the Central Registration Depository (``CRD[supreg]'') for
registration purposes. The proposal was published for comment in the
Federal Register on November 20, 2013.\3\ The Commission received two
comments on the proposal.\4\ This order approves the proposed rule
change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 70880 (November 14,
2013), 78 FR 69732 (November 20, 2013) (``Notice'').
    \4\ See letter from Jason Doss, President, Public Investors
Arbitration Bar Association, to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary,
Commission, dated December 9, 2011 (``PIABA letter'') and letter
from William A. Jacobsen, Clinical Professor of Law, Cornell
University Law School and Michael Baak, to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Commission, dated December 11, 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Description of the Proposal

    In 2006, Congress amended Section 15A(i) of the Act \5\ with the
enactment of the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection
Act.\6\ The amendment added a requirement that FINRA maintain a toll-
free telephone listing and a readily accessible electronic or other
process to receive and promptly respond to inquiries regarding
registration information on the members and their associated persons of
any registered national securities exchange that uses the CRD system to
register its members and their associated persons (``CRD
Exchange'').\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(i).
    \6\ Public Law 109-290, 120 Stat. 1317 (2006).
    \7\ Section 15A(i) of the Act defines registration information
as ``the information reported in connection with the registration or
licensing of brokers and dealers and their associated persons,
including disciplinary actions, regulatory, judicial, and
arbitration proceedings, and other information required by law, or
exchange or association rule, and the source and status of such
information.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    BrokerCheck provides the public with information on the
professional background, business practices, and conduct of FINRA
member firms and their associated persons. The information that FINRA
releases to the public through BrokerCheck is derived from the CRD
system, the securities industry online registration and licensing
database. FINRA member firms, their associated persons, and regulators
report information to the CRD system via the uniform registration
forms. By making certain of this information publicly available,
BrokerCheck, among other things, helps investors make informed choices
about the FINRA member firms and their associated persons with which
they conduct business. BrokerCheck allows investors and others to
obtain registration information about FINRA member firms and their
associated persons by telephone and the Internet.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The BrokerCheck Hotline telephone number is<PHONE_NUMBER>.
BrokerCheck is available online at http://www.finra.org/Investors/ToolsCalculators/BrokerCheck.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The registration information currently available through
BrokerCheck is limited to firms that are currently or were previously
members of FINRA and the associated persons of such firms. BrokerCheck
does not contain information regarding firms or the associated persons
of such firms, if the firms were only members of a registered national
securities exchange (although such information is contained in the CRD
system).
    The proposed rule change would amend FINRA Rule 8312 to include
these non-FINRA member firms and their associated persons in
BrokerCheck. Specifically, the proposed rule change would make publicly
available in BrokerCheck information about members and their associated
persons of any CRD Exchange.\9\ The information that would be disclosed
through BrokerCheck about CRD Exchange members and their associated
persons would be the same as the information disclosed about FINRA
members and their associated persons pursuant to FINRA Rule 8312. CRD
Exchange members and their associated persons would be able to dispute
inaccuracies in their BrokerCheck reports as provided for in FINRA Rule
8312(e).\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Firms and individuals that have been registered exclusively
with a CRD Exchange will be included in BrokerCheck only if they
were registered on or after August 16, 1999. According to FINRA,
filings for those firms and individuals whose registrations
terminated before August 16, 1999, were not made electronically, so
BrokerCheck reports for such firms and individuals cannot be made in
an automated fashion. See proposed Supplementary Material .03 to
FINRA Rule 8312.
    \10\ The proposed rule change also makes non-substantive
technical changes to FINRA Rule 8312 to reflect a change in FINRA's
style convention for referencing the CRD system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Comments
    The Commission received two comment letters on the proposed rule
change.\11\ Both comments support the proposal. One commenter states
``The significance of increasing public customers' awareness and access
to background information about the member and/or associated person
handling or potentially handling their account cannot be understated.''
\12\ The commenter suggests FINRA should include in BrokerCheck all
information that is available on CRD reports from state regulators,
eliminate time constraints for disclosure of information in
BrokerCheck, and include in BrokerCheck disclosures about an associated
person's educational background and professional designation.\13\ While
these comments are outside of the scope of the current proposal, they
are legitimate and FINRA should consider them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See supra, note 4.
    \12\ See PIABA letter at 1.
    \13\ See PIABA letter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion and Commission Findings

    After carefully reviewing the proposed rule change and the comment
letters, the Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
applicable to a national securities association.\14\ In particular, the
Commission finds that the proposal is consistent with Section 15A(b)(6)
of the Act,\15\ which requires, among other things, that FINRA's rules
be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and
a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the
public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, the Commission believes that the proposal will
enhance investor

protection by making available, via BrokerCheck, information regarding
the professional background, business practices, and conduct of firms
and associated persons that were members solely of a national
securities exchange. Making this information available via BrokerCheck
harmonizes the disclosure across the securities industry. The
information is relevant to investors and members of the public who wish
to educate themselves with respect to a firm or the professional
history of a current or formerly associated person of a CRD Exchange.
Further, the public's ability to access information regarding a firm or
current or former associated person, whether the individual is or was
associated with FINRA or with any national securities exchange that
uses CRD for registration purposes, may serve to protect investors, the
integrity of the marketplace, and the public interest. The Commission
urges the public to utilize BrokerCheck as well as all other sources of
information, particularly the databases of the state regulators, as
well as legal search engines, and records searches, to conduct a
thorough search of a firm or any associated person's activities.
    Furthermore, the proposed rule change is consistent with the
provisions of Section 15A(i)(1) of the Act,\16\ which require, among
other things, that FINRA maintain a toll-free telephone listing and a
readily accessible electronic or other process to receive and promptly
respond to inquiries regarding registration information on CRD Exchange
members and their associated persons. The proposed amendments require
FINRA to release information through BrokerCheck about CRD Exchange
members and their associated persons,\17\ harmonizing the information
available about broker-dealers and their associated persons across the
industry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(i)(1).
    \17\ See Section 15A(i) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the Commission reiterates the need for FINRA to
continuously strive to improve BrokerCheck to enhance its value as a
tool for the public to use in deciding whether to work with a firm or a
particular associated person.\18\ The suggestions for enhancement made
by the commenter while outside the scope of this proposal should be
considered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 59916 (May
13, 2009), 74 FR 23750 (May 20, 2009) and 62476 (July 8, 2010), 75
FR 41254 (July 15, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the
Act,\19\ that the proposed rule change (SR-FINRA-2013-047), be, and
hereby is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lynn M. Powalski,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-31420 Filed 1-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P