[Federal Register: August 7, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 151)]
[Notices]
[Page 44133-44136]
[DOCID:fr07au07-45]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0697; FRL-8450-2]

Office of Water; Notice of Availability and Comment Period for
Draft Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Wetland Mapping Standard

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of data availability and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: Notice of Availability for a 90 Day Review and Comment Period
is Hereby Given for the Draft Federal Geographic Data Committee's
Wetland Mapping Standard.
    This document provides Federal, State, Tribal and local wetland
managers and others with information on what data to collect when
mapping wetlands that will be uploaded to the National Wetland
Inventory (NWI) and incorporated as part of the wetlands layer of the
National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in the USGS National Map.
The intent of this standard is to support a consistent/seamless
transition from traditional paper-based map products to technology-
based mapping products and serve as the national standard for mapping
wetland inventories for building the wetlands layer of the NSDI.
    Although, this standard will not change the National Wetlands
Inventory

Data produced prior to its implementation, this standard specifies a
core set of data quality components necessary to add to the National
Wetlands Inventory in a way that is consistent and supports multiple
uses of the data, while meeting the requirements of the National
Spatial Data Infrastructure. This standard is based largely on the
existing draft standard used by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in
support of the NWI. The intent of the standard is to support current
and future digital wetland mapping activities. The standard will
provide specification of minimum data quality components for wetland
mapping activities for inclusion into the NSDI that are funded or
conducted by the Federal government. The National Wetlands Inventory
digital wetland data serve as the foundation for the wetlands data
layer of the NSDI. The standard balances the burden on the end-user
community with the need for consistency and documented quality of
digital mapping products. Additionally, this standard is created to
coordinate wetland mapping with the National Hydrography Dataset, a
national geospatial framework recognized by the Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC). Although this standard is structured to be extensible
over time, the standard is deliberately developed with a forward-
looking perspective to accommodate technology and map scale
enhancements, assure its long-term usability, and minimize the need for
revisions and updates over time.
    This standard is intended for use by all Federal or federally-
funded wetlands mapping projects including those activities conducted
by Federal agencies, states, and federally recognized tribal entities,
non-governmental organizations, universities, and others. Specifically,
if Federal funding is used in support of wetlands inventory mapping
activities, then use of this standard is mandatory. The adoption of the
standard for all other wetlands inventory mapping efforts (non-
federally funded) is strongly encouraged to maintain and expand the
wetlands layer of the NSDI.
    The FGDC Wetlands Subcommittee is soliciting information, data, and
views on issues of science pertaining to the information contained in
this draft FGDC data standard.

DATES: Scientific views, data, and information should be submitted by
November 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, data, or views, identified by
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0697, by one of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line

instructions for submitting information.
     E-mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>     Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of four copies.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include
a total of four copies. Such deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be
made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your scientific information, data, or views,
to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2007-0697. EPA's policy is that all
information received will be included in the public docket without
change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov,

including any personal information provided, unless it includes
information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not
submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected
through http://www.regulations.gov or<EMAIL_ADDRESS>The http://www
.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which
s'' system, which
provide it in the body of your information. If you send an e-mail
directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov your

e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of
the information that is placed in the public docket and made available
on the Internet. If you submit information electronically, EPA
recommends that you include your name and other contact information in
the body of your information and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If
EPA cannot read your information due to technical difficulties and
cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider
your information. Electronic files should avoid the use of special
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the
EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://.

http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some

information is not publicly available, e.g., information claimed to be
CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
    Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be
publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket
materials are available either electronically in http://www.regulations.gov
 or in hard copy at the Water Docket, EPA/DC, EPA

West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The
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 Public
Reading Room is<PHONE_NUMBER>, and the telephone number for the Water
Docket is<PHONE_NUMBER>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margarete Ann Heber, Wetland Division,
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; phone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax (202) 566-
1349; e-mail<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does This Action Apply to Me?

    Entities potentially interested in today's notice are those that
map wetlands and share that data with others.

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                                               Examples of potentially
                 Category                         affected entities
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State/Local/Tribal Government.............  Federal Government, States,
                                             municipalities, tribes.
Industry..................................  Builders, any entity sitting
                                             on a wetland.
Agriculture...............................  Farmers.
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    This table is not intended to be exhaustive. Other types of
entities not listed in the table may also be interested.

B. What Should I Consider as I Prepare my Scientific Information, Data
or Views for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI information to EPA through
http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly identify the specific

information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or
CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the
specific information that is claimed as CBI). In addition to one
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket.
Information so marked

will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in
40 CFR part 2.
    2. Tips for Preparing Your Information, Data, or Views. When
submitting scientific information, data or views, please remember to:
     Identify the docket number and other identifying
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives
and substitute language for your requested changes.
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be
reproduced.
     Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible.
     Make sure to submit your information comments by the
deadline identified.

C. How Can I Get Copies of the Draft Document and Related Information?

    On the FGDC Website at: http://www.fws.gov/nwi/Final%20Draft%20Wetlands%20Mapping%20Standard%2003_26_07.pdf
.

II. Today's Notice

A. Why Do We Need To Map Wetlands?

    Currently, the wetland maps coverage of the United States is not
complete. NWI is incomplete for about half the country. A mapping
standard will allow any entity mapping wetlands to upload data to NWI
using the same format. Wetlands are a critical ecological resource and
in order to adequately manage them it is important to know what type of
wetlands exist and where they are located. On a ten year cycle, the
Fish and Wildlife Service produces reports to Congress on the status
and trends of wetlands in the conterminous United States. These reports
contain estimates of wetland losses and gains. A complete digital
wetlands database will allow accurate calculation of wetland loss and
gain to be made for specific areas. These digitial maps are also
critical for looking at wetland loss and possible migration of wetlands
in global climate change estimations.

B. How Was the Draft Standard Developed?

    The Wetland Subcommittee of the FGDC convened a workgroup to
develop this draft standard. Stakeholder representation from the
Federal, State, non-profit, and private sectors was included in the
development of this standard to ensure that the end-user information
requirements are reflected in the final product. Development of the
content of this standard began in June 2006 with a 3-day meeting of the
workgroup comprised of members representing multiple Federal agencies
and stakeholder groups. It was emphasized again that the standard would
benefit from a wide vetting process targeting diverse members of the
end-user community. Workgroup members and vetting participants, as well
as workgroup activities are listed in Appendix H of the draft Standard.

C. What Is Included in the Draft Standard

1 Introduction
    1.1 Background.
    1.2 Objective.
    1.3 Scope.
    1.4 Applicability.
    1.5 FGDC Standards and Other Related Practices.
    1.6 Standard Development Procedures and Representation.
    1.7 Maintenance Authority.
2 FGDC Requirements and Quality Components
    2.1 Source Imagery.
    2.2 Classification.
    2.3 Accuracy.
    2.3.1 TMU and Producers Accuracy.
    2.3.2 Horizontal Accuracy.
    2.4 Data Verification.
    2.4.1 Logical Consistency.
    2.4.2 Edge Matching.
    2.4.3 Attribute Validity.
    2.5 Datum and Projection.
    2.6 Metadata.
References
Appendix A: Workgroup Recommendations to the FGDC.
Appendix B: Attributes for Wetland Classification.
Appendix C: Implementation Recommendations in Support of Section 2.0.
Appendix D: Known Issues with Existing Wetlands Mapping Data.
Appendix E: Polygon Lineage and Unique Identifiers.
Appendix F: Questions and Answers.
Appendix G: Definitions (Informative).
Appendix H: Workgroup Members, Vetting Participants, and Workgroup.

Activities

Table 1. Spatial Resolution Requirements of Source Imagery.
Table 2. Classification Levels Required Based on Habitat.
Table 3. TMU and Producer Accuracy Requirements.
Table 4. Horizontal Accuracy (RMSE) Requirements.
1 Introduction
    1.1 Background.
    1.2 Objective.
    1.3 Scope.
    1.4 Applicability.
    1.5 FGDC Standards and Other Related Practices.
    1.6 Standard Development Procedures and Representation.
    1.7 Maintenance Authority.
2 FGDC Requirements and Quality Components
    2.1 Source Imagery.
    2.2 Classification.
    2.3 Accuracy.
    2.3.1 TMU and Producers Accuracy.
    2.3.2 Horizontal Accuracy.
    2.4 Data Verification.
    2.4.1 Logical Consistency.
    2.4.2 Edge Matching.
    2.4.3 Attribute Validity.
    2.5 Datum and Projection.
    2.6 Metadata.
References
Appendix A: Workgroup Recommendations to the FGDC.
Appendix B: Attributes for Wetland Classification.
Appendix C: Implementation Recommendations in Support of Section 2.0.
Appendix D: Known Issues with Existing Wetlands Mapping Data.
Appendix E: Polygon Lineage and Unique Identifiers.
Appendix F: Questions and Answers.
Appendix G: Definitions (Informative).
Appendix H: Workgroup Members, Vetting Participants, and Workgroup.
Activities
Table 1. Spatial Resolution Requirements of Source Imagery.
Table 2. Classification Levels Required Based on Habitat Type.
1 Introduction
    1.1 Background.
    1.2 Objective.
    1.3 Scope.
    1.4 Applicability.
    1.5 FGDC Standards and Other Related Practices.
    1.6 Standard Development Procedures and Representation.
    1.7 Maintenance Authority.
2 FGDC Requirements and Quality Components
    2.1 Source Imagery.
    2.2 Classification.
    2.3 Accuracy.
    2.3.1 TMU and Producers Accuracy.
    2.3.2 Horizontal Accuracy.
    2.4 Data Verification.
    2.4.1 Logical Consistency.
    2.4.2 Edge Matching.
    2.4.3 Attribute Validity.
    2.5 Datum and Projection.

    2.6 Metadata.
References
Appendix A: Workgroup Recommendations to the FGDC.
Appendix B: Attributes for Wetland Classification.
Appendix C: Implementation Recommendations in Support of Section 2.0.
Appendix D: Known Issues with Existing Wetlands Mapping Data.
Appendix E: Polygon Lineage and Unique Identifiers.
Appendix F: Questions and Answers.
Appendix G: Definitions (Informative).
Appendix H: Workgroup Members, Vetting Participants, and Workgroup.
Activities
Table 1. Spatial Resolution Requirements of Source Imagery.
Table 2. Classification Levels Required Based on Habitat Type.
Table 3. TMU and Producer Accuracy Requirements.
Table 4. Horizontal Accuracy (RMSE) Requirements.

    Dated: August 1, 2007.
David Evans,
Director, Wetlands Division.
[FR Doc. E7-15351 Filed 8-6-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67519-67520]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28206]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-65632; File No. SR-FICC-2011-08]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Fixed Income Clearing Corporation;
Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Expand the Applicability of
the Fails Charge to Agency Debt Securities Transactions

October 26, 2011.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder \2\ notice is hereby given that
on October 20, 2011, the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (``FICC'')
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items
have been prepared primarily by FICC. The Commission is publishing this
notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested
persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to expand the
applicability of the fails charge to Agency debt securities
transactions.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, FICC included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. FICC has prepared summaries, set forth in sections (A),
(B), and (C) below, of the most significant aspects of these
statements.\3\
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    \3\ The Commission has modified the text of the summaries
prepared by FICC.
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(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    The Treasury Markets Practices Group (the ``TMPG''), a group of
market participants active in the Treasury securities market sponsored
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the ``FRBNY''), has been
addressing the persistent settlement fails in Agency debt securities
transactions that have arisen, in part, due to low interest rates.
    To encourage market participants to resolve fails promptly, the
TMPG recommends expanding the applicability of the fails charge (which
currently applies to Treasury securities transactions) to Agency debt
with the objective of reducing the incidence of delivery failures and
supporting liquidity in this market.
    The TMPG had previously recommended a charge for fails on Treasury
securities, which the Government Securities Division (the ``GSD'')
implemented pursuant to rule filing 2009-03.\4\ At that time, the TMPG
recommendation did not extend to Agency securities and, therefore, the
GSD's 2009 rule filing did not cover Agency debt. However, the TMPG
recently has expanded its recommendation to cover certain Agency
securities and, therefore, the GSD is proposing to apply the existing
fails charge regime to Agency debt transactions as recommended by the
TMPG. Specifically, transactions in debentures issued by Fannie Mae,
Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks now will be subject to
this charge. The proposed fails charge for Agencies will be the same as
that currently in place for Treasuries and is equal to the greater of:
(a) 0 percent and (b) 3 percent per annum minus the federal funds
target rate. The charge will accrue each calendar day a fail is
outstanding.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-59802 (April 20,
2009), 74 FR 19248 (April 28, 2009).
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    The following examples illustrate the manner in which the proposed
fails charge will apply:

    Example 1:  A settlement obligation fails and the next calendar
date is a valid FICC business date. The GSD calculates the TMPG fail
charge from the date the fail occurs to the next valid FICC business
date. As the next valid business date is the next calendar date, the
member's credit/debit resulting from the TMPG fail charge is
assessed for one day.
    Example 2:  A settlement obligation fails and the next calendar
date is a holiday occurring on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The
GSD calculates the TMPG fail charge from the date the fail occurs to
the next valid FICC business date. The TMPG fail charge is assessed
for two days; the day the fail occurs and the date of the holiday.
    Example 3:  A settlement obligation fails on Friday and the
following Monday is not a holiday. The GSD calculates the TMPG fail
charge from the date the fail occurs to the next valid FICC business
date. The TMPG fail charge is assessed for three days; Friday,
Saturday and Sunday.

    FICC's Board of Directors (or appropriate Committee thereof) will
retain the right to revoke application of the proposed charges if
industry events or practices warrant such revocation.
    The expansion of the fails charge trading practice to the Agency
debt market would require that Rule 11 (Netting System), Section 14
(Fails Charge) of the GSD rulebook be amended to make such rule
applicable to debentures issued by any of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or
the Federal Home Loan Banks. The current GSD rule states that the fails
charge shall be the product of the (i) Funds associated with a failed
position and (ii) 3 percent per annum minus the target fed funds rate
that is effective at 5 p.m. EST on the business day prior to the
originally scheduled settlement date, capped at 3 percent per annum.
FICC is proposing to restate the formula to make it clearer by amending
section (ii) of the formula to read ``the greater of (a) 0 percent or
(b) 3 percent per annum minus the target fed funds rate * * *.'' This
change is not meant to affect the result of the formula in any way but
rather is a more precise way of stating the formula.
    The proposed rule change makes clear that FICC will not guaranty
fails charge proceeds in the event of a default (i.e., if a defaulting
member does not pay its fail charge, members due to receive fails
charge proceeds will have those proceeds reduced pro-rata by the
defaulting member's unpaid amount).
Timing of Implementation
    The fails charges will apply to transactions in Agency debentures
entered into on or after February 1, 2012, as well as to transactions
that were entered into, but remain unsettled as of, February 1, 2012.
For transactions entered into prior to, and unsettled as of, February
1, 2012, the fails charge will begin accruing on the later of February
1, 2012, or the contractual settlement date.
    FICC believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
requirements of Section 17A of the Act \5\ and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to FICC because it would facilitate
the prompt and

accurate clearance and settlement of securities transactions by
discouraging persistent fails in the marketplace. The proposed rule
change is not inconsistent with the existing rules of FICC, including
any other rules proposed to be amended.
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    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78q-1.
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(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    FICC does not believe that the proposed rule change would impose
any burden on competition.

(C) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others

    Written comments relating to the proposed rule change have not been
solicited or received. FICC will notify the Commission of any written
comments received by FICC.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) As the
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
(A) By order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change or (B)
institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change
should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please include
File Number SR-FICC-2011-08 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
    All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FICC-2011-08. This
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street
NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filings will also be available for
inspection and copying at the principal office of FICC and on FICC's
Web site at http://www.dtcc.com/downloads/legal/rule_filings/2011/ficc/2011-08.pdf.
    All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission
does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You
should submit only information that you wish to make available
publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FICC-2011-08
and should be submitted on or before November 22, 2011.

    For the Commission by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\6\
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    \6\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-28206 Filed 10-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P