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Congress returned to Session on Monday, Nov. 16^th    

this issue of Eye on Washington includes activity by The Federal Government, Federal Agencies, and listings from the Federal Register dating from Oct. 18^th through Nov. 19^th.

Omnibus Spending Bill Imminent;

Debt Ceiling Raised; 

WRDA Still in Play

House and Senate negotiators said on Thursday they were close to final agreement on the contents of the $338 billion Omnibus Spending Bill  (the current Continuing Resolution covering government spending will expire at midnight on Saturday).  The Omnibus should pass in the House either by Friday or Saturday, with enough time left over to send it to the Senate for final passage.  There is currently no information on the details that were hammered out in closed-door sessions between Congress and the White House, which is pressuring legislators to agree to funding levels requested by the Bush Administration.

While Congress was completing its work on the Omnibus Bill, several Congressional energy and water appropriators brought back the separate $28 billion FY '05 Energy and Water funding bill in a surprise move on Thursday, hoping to add it to the Omnibus despite disagreement on funding for Yucca Mountain.  This appropriation would fund the DOE, the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Bureau of Reclamation.  The office of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee Chairman, David Hobson (R-OH), commented that “We're pleased that we have a good shot at getting this bill [into the Omnibus] without doing a Continuing Resolution.”

Besides Energy and Water, the Omnibus Spending Bill will include the following appropriations: Agriculture; Commerce-Justice-State; Foreign Operations; Interior; Labor and Health and Human Services; the Legislative Branch; Transportation-Treasury; and VA-HUD (EPA).

In the meantime, on Thursday, Congress approved an increase to the nation’s debt ceiling, now at $8.184 trillion.  The House narrowly passed the measure by 208-204, almost strictly along party lines.  A White House spokesman said, "The president intends to sign it into law before the close of business on Monday.”

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which had passed the House earlier this year but was not approved in the Senate, and which includes authorizations for new Corps projects, may have some legs left in the remaining days of the 108^th Congress.  The Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Jim Inhofe (R-OK), said he remained hopeful that agreement could still be reached to include the Act in some legislative  vehicle despite limited choices and time remaining.

KEY AGENCY NEWS RELEASES

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Chemical Information Database by Late 2005

The EPA is preparing a public-access database on thousands of High Production Volume chemicals for use by late 2005, which will make available a wealth of toxicity and environmental data.   On Oct. 18^th, the Acting Chief of EPA's Science Information Branch, said that designers of the High Production Volume Chemical Information System (HPVIS) have nearly finished with the development and testing phase.  The system will present information amassed on some 2,800 chemicals produced in high volume in the United States, in part through the voluntary efforts of participating companies.  The High Production Volume chemical information initiative is available at  http://cfpub.epa.gov/hpv-s/

Wild jaguars photographed in southern Arizona - Endangered species lives south of Tucson 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - October 18, 2004 

“Jaguars have been spotted in the southwestern United States no more than 50 times since the mid-1800’s, yet two jaguars were recently caught on film in the wild borderlands of southern Arizona.  In 1997 the jaguar was named an endangered species in our country, which is when the Jaguar Conservation Team formed - comprised of landowners, ranchers, citizen groups, scientists, and state and federal agencies and formed to develop a conservation plan, which appears to be working.  ‘This is a great step in the continuing efforts of a multi-agency jaguar conservation team in Arizona,’ said the head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department non-game mammal program.”  For more information, go to:  http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/R2/ACD8FC80-CB64-859B-AB62FA7595FB5682.html  

New Method for Assessing Bed Sediment Contamination

“USGS scientists have developed a method for estimating the contribution of contaminated bed sediments in lakes and reservoirs to the overall levels of contamination in water systems.  The USGS’s new method gives resource managers information on the rate that nutrients and trace metals, such as methylmercury or nickel, move between the sediments and overlying waters. This rate is known as the benthic flux.”  For more information, go to:  http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/benthic_flux.html  

Snakehead Discovery in the Great Lakes

Oct. 20^th – “The northern snakehead, an invasive species of fish that can breathe air and move across land for short distances, has been found in a Chicago harbor, officials from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said this week.  This is the first sighting of the fish in the Great Lakes, the world's largest body of fresh water.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.nationalacademies.org/headlines/  

Veneman Announces Release of $1.6B for Voluntary Conservation Programs on Working Lands

Washington, DC - Oct. 22, 2004  “Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the release of $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2005 funding for conservation programs on working lands, which, by knowing the initial mandatory program funding and technical assistance levels well before the next planting season begins, will help producers connect their business decisions to protecting water, air, soil and wildlife.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2004/10/0456.xml  

Reclamation Commissioner John Keys to Recognize ‘Water 2025’ Challenge Grant Award to Imperial Valley Water District

October 25, 2004 – “Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John Keys will be in Imperial, Calif., on Wednesday, October 27, to participate in an event recognizing the award of a $115,226 ‘Water 2025’ Challenge Grant to the Imperial Irrigation District (IID).   It is estimated that as much as 37,500 acre-feet of Colorado River water will be saved by this project.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=2481  

Secretary Norton Praises President's Signing of Landmark CALFED Legislation

Oct. 26^th, Washington, DC – “Interior Secretary Gale Norton today praised President Bush's signing of landmark legislation that authorizes $389 million for a major environmental initiative to restore California's critical Bay-Delta estuary while also addressing the needs of urban and agricultural waters users.  The President signed the Water Supply Reliability and Environmental Improvement Act, popularly known as CALFED, on Oct. 25, 2004.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.doi.gov/news/041026a  

2004 Water Reuse Guidelines Available

EPA’s Office of Water and Office of Research and Development, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development, have approved and are now distributing a 2004 Guidelines for Water Reuse Manual to help water and wastewater utilities and regulatory agencies, particularly in the U.S.  Copies of the updated manual can be ordered from the website www.epa.gov/ttbnrmrl

and it has been posted in pdf form at http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/pubs/625r04108/625r04108.pdf  

Stormwater Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Manual Now Available

The Center for Watershed Protection and the University of Alabama, under a grant from EPA, have produced a comprehensive manual for municipalities that must develop and implement programs to find and correct illicit discharges to their storm sewer systems. The new manual includes detailed information on creating and managing a program, and a comprehensive guide to field and lab protocols. The new manual and supporting materials can be downloaded free of charge at:  www.cwp.org/idde_verify.htm  

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits Available On-line

The EPA is implementing a multi-year project to scan copies of major NPDES permits and make them easily available to the public on our website. You can now find over 2000 NPDES individual and general permits at www.epa.gov/npdes/permitsearch

‘Water 2025’ Challenge Grant Program RFP is Now Online

Bureau of Reclamation - “The Request for Proposals for the ‘Water 2025’ Challenge Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2005 is now available online at www.grants.gov   Additional information about the Challenge Grant program, including frequently asked questions and answers, is available at:  www.doi.gov/water2025 ”

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner John Keys Announces $1.6M for 15 Desalination Research Agreements.

"Improving desalination technologies to make them more affordable and accessible is part of Secretary Norton's ‘Water 2025’ initiative," he said. "We expect this research to facilitate technological advancements and nurture innovations to enhance supplies and reduce the costs of current technologies."  For more information, go to:  http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=2681  

USDA Selects Watersheds for 2005 Conservation Security Program

“The USDA announced that 202 watersheds have been selected for the fiscal year 2005 Conservation Security Program sign-up to be held this winter.  USDA intends to offer the program in every state and the Caribbean Area. A sign-up announcement will be published along with the final rule that will detail specific program requirements in the watersheds.”  A map of the fiscal year 2005 watersheds is at:  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/2005_CSP_WS/index.html

Solar Eruptions May Cause Damage

Nov. 8, 2004 — “Eruptions from a large and complex sunspot group are sending a series of solar storms to Earth.  The NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo., is monitoring these storms, which have the potential to affect spacecraft operations, electric power systems, high frequency communications and electronic navigation systems.  Space weather forecasters expect the Coronal Mass Ejection that left the sun on Saturday to arrive early on Tuesday, followed by another one expected later that day.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2335.htm  

NASA Satellite Proves El Nino Holds the Key to Changing Global Rainfall

Nov, 4 – “NASA and Japan's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has enabled scientists to look around the globe and determine where the year-to-year changes in rainfall are greatest.  Recently, scientists found that the El Nino-Southern Oscillation is the main driver of the change in rain patterns all around the world.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/environment/elnino_rainchange.html 

“Twenty Years of Protecting America’s Soil and Groundwater”

EPA  Washington, DC  Nov. 11, 2004 – “This month, EPA commemorates the 20th anniversary of legislation signed by President Reagan to create a program to ensure that leaks from underground tanks are prevented, and if contamination of soil and groundwater is detected, releases are cleaned up.  Since 1984, more than 1.5 million substandard tanks have been closed... More information on EPA’s ongoing work to prevent, detect and clean up releases from leaking underground storage tanks and to protect our nation’ soil and groundwater is available at..”   http://www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/20annrpt.pdf

Water Quality Trading Handbook Helps Water Quality Managers/Watersheds

EPA.  Nov. 12, 2004 – “Water quality trading has gained attention as an effective market-based approach for state and local governments to achieve cleaner water.  Because the concept of water trading is new and not commonly practiced, water quality managers may want to know if trading will work in their local watershed.  EPA's Water Quality Trading Assessment Handbook is designed to help determine if trading can be used to make cost-effective pollutant reductions and determine if trading may be the appropriate tool.”  The handbook is available at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading.htm 

Record Enforcement Levels at EPA

EPA’s enforcement activities for FY 2004 “will reduce a projected one billion pounds of pollution, and require cleanups estimated to total a record $4.8 billion – significant increases from the previous year.”  Other annual measures of the Agency’s enforcement and compliance activity:  the number of inspections were up 11 percent from FY’03; investigations were up 32 percent from FY’03.  For more information, go to: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/b1ab9f485b098972852562e7004dc686/04b3e855d5a0b21785256f4d006bd344!OpenDocument

Resignation of DOE Secretary

“In a letter to President George W. Bush dated November 14, 2004 resigning his position pending the confirmation of a new Energy Secretary, Spencer Abraham touted DOE’s significant success toward reducing America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy, improving the environment and further securing the homeland through efforts to reduce nuclear proliferation.”  The letter is available at:  http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?PUBLIC_ID=16880&BT_CODE=PR_PRESSRELEASES&TT_CODE=PRESSRELEASE  

High-Flow Test Study from Glen Canyon Dam through Grand Canyon

“The Department of the Interior has proposed the use of high flows from Glen Canyon Dam to improve Colorado River natural and cultural resources in Grand Canyon National Park.  In a scientific study, the Department would use flows that are above power plant capacity to move sediment that has accumulated in Marble Canyon to rebuild beaches, help improve Colorado River habitat for endangered fish, and learn more about the river ecosystem to help guide future management decisions.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.doi.gov/news/041117a

BLM and Forest Service Team Up to Fight Invasive Tree Species

Nov. 17^th, 2004 – “The Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management has joined forces with the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to find constructive uses for an aggressive tree species plaguing the southwestern United States.  The goal of the joint effort is to control the spread of saltcedar (also known as tamarisk) which displaces native plants and devastates wildlife habitat and ecosystems on more than a million acres of rangeland.”  For more information, go to:  http://www.blm.gov/nhp/news/releases/pages/2004/pr041117_forestlab.htm

Bureau of Reclamation Issues Record of Decision On Cachuma Project

Nov. 18^th, 2004 – “The Bureau of Reclamation announced that the Record of Decision for the Lower Santa Ynez River fish management plan (pertaining to the Bureau’s Cachuma Project) is now available to the public.  It consists of various management actions and projects to improve habitat for the federally endangered Southern California steelhead and other aquatic species on the Santa Ynez River below Bradbury Dam through flow, habitat, and passage improvements.”  

Relevant Links:  Lower Santa Ynez River Fish Management Plan      Record of Decision

Service Designates Critical Habitat for California Tiger Salamander in Santa Barbara County

Nov. 18^th - “In response to a lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it has designated 11,180 acres as critical habitat for the Federally threatened California tiger salamander in Santa Barbara County.  Most of the critical habitat acreage is privately-owned, although small amounts of land are owned by Santa Barbara County.”  For more information, go to:  http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/R1/4C70E51D-BAB7-9271-7F7F821235640E6C.html

Draft Recovery Plan for Tidewater Goby Now Available

Nov. 18^th – “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is accepting public comments on a draft recovery plan for the tidewater goby, a small Federally endangered fish that lives in estuaries and lagoons along the California coast from Del Norte to northern San Diego counties.”  Copies of the recovery plan can be downloaded from the Ventura Fish and Wildlife web site at: http://ventura.fws.gov     For more information, go to: http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/R1/4C779F6E-9553-C8DF-6DE5054DCEBABE1D.html

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

“2004-05 Winter Energy Market Assessment released”  November 18, 2004

http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/Files/20041118102105-2005-winter-assessment-report.pdf

Bills Introduced in the Senate:  Nov. 15 - 19, 2004

S.2986  FRIST

A bill to amend title 31 of the United States Code to increase the public debt limit; placed on the calendar. 

S. 2993  GRAHAM (of Florida)

A bill to establish a National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bills Introduced in the House:   Nov. 15 - 19, 2004

H.R. 5373  BEAUPREZ 

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into contracts for the use of excess storage and conveyance capacity of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Colorado, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Resources.

Federal Register Notices:  Oct. 18 - Nov. 19, 2004

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of the availability of Draft Economic Analysis for the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Riverside Fairy Shrimp, and reopening of public comment period.  On April 27, 2004, we published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to designate critical habitat for the Riverside Fairy Shrimp, proposing to designate a total of approximately 5,795 acres of critical habitat in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Ventura Counties, CA.  We will accept comments and information until November 18, 2004.  FR  10/19/04  p.61461 

EPA.  Notice of Charter Renewal.  The Charter for the EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program Policy Review Board will be renewed for an additional two-year period, as a necessary committee which is in the public interest.  The purpose of GMPPRB is to provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator of EPA on issues associated with plans to improve and protect the water quality and living resources of the Gulf of Mexico.  Dated: July 9, 2004 by Benjamin H. Grumbles, Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Water.  FR  10/21/04  p.61662

ENERGY.  Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  Energy Efficiency Program for Certain Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Test Procedures and Efficiency Standards for Commercial Water Heaters, Hot Water Supply Boilers and Unfired Hot Water Storage Tanks.  Direct final rule.  The DOE promulgates a rule prescribing test procedures to rate the energy efficiency of commercial water heaters and hot water supply boilers.  For these products and unfired hot water storage tanks, the rule also prescribes relevant definitions and recodifies existing energy conservation standards, so that they are located contiguous with the test procedures that DOE promulgates today.  This direct final rule is effective December 20, 2004.  You may submit comments, identified by docket number EE-RM/TP-99-480 to http://www.regulations.gov    FR  10/21/04  p.61974

EPA.  Subject to Availability of Funding Solicitation Notice; Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program; Fiscal Year 2005.  The EPA is now soliciting applications for the FY 2005 Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program, a nationwide information systems network that facilitates the electronic reporting and exchange of environmental data among EPA and its state, tribal, and territorial partners.  The Exchange Network will make it easier for EPA and its partners to obtain the timely and accurate information they need when making decisions concerning the natural environment and related human health issues.  Applications must be submitted to EPA in hard copy by January 15, 2005.  Provided funding is available, EPA expects to notify applicants of its funding recommendations in May 2005 and issue the awards in August/September 2005.  FR  10/21/04  p.61837

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reopening of the Public Comment Period for the Draft Economic Analysis and Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Santa Ana Sucker.  On February 26, 2004, we published in the Federal Register a final rule and a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker on approximately 21,129 acres of land in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, California.  We announce today the reopening of the public comment period for the draft economic analysis on the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker and on the proposed designation itself. The comment period will provide the public, Federal, State, and local agencies, and tribes with an additional opportunity to submit written comments on this proposal and its respective draft economic analysis. The public comment period on the proposed designation and draft economic analysis is now reopened until November 24, 2004.  FR  10/25/04  p.62238

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.  Science Advisory Board; Meetings.  Notice of open meeting.  The NOAA Science Advisory Board was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on long- and short-range strategies for research, education, and application of science to resource management and environmental assessment and prediction.  The meeting will be held November 2 and 3, 2004, at the National Geographic Society Headquarters in Washington, DC and will be open to public participation on Nov. 3^rd.  FR  10/26/04  p.62437

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting.  This notice announces a meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force on November 16 and 17, 2004 in Arlington, VA.  Minutes of the meeting will be available for public inspection through the office of Chief, Division of Environmental Quality, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Suite 322, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1622.  FR  10/27/04  p.62720

INTERIOR.  Office of the Secretary.  Renewal of Trinity River Adaptive Management Working Group.  The Secretary of the Interior has renewed the Trinity River Adaptive Management Working Group which provides recommendations on all aspects of the implementation of the Trinity River Restoration Program and affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River restoration efforts.  The Working Group conducts its operations in accordance with the provisions of FACA.  It reports to the Secretary of the Interior through the Trinity River Management Council and functions solely as an advisory body.  The Working Group will meet at least two times per year, and the public will have the opportunity to provide input at all meetings.  FR  10/28/04  p.62913

DEFENSE.  Department of the Navy.  INTERIOR.  Bureau of Reclamation.  Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impact Report for the Santa Margarita River Conjunctive Use Project, San Diego County, CA.  The Department of the Navy, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Fallbrook Public Utility District intend to prepare an EIS/EIR and conduct associated public scoping meetings for the proposed Santa Margarita River Conjunctive Use Project.  Three public meetings will be held to collect scoping comments.  Written comments must be received by January 31, 2005.  Public meeting dates are January 12^th in Oceanside and 13^th in Fallbrook.   FR  11/01/04  p.63374

EPA.  Meeting of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council.  Notice of Public Meeting.  The primary purpose of this meeting is for the Council to meet with representatives of the EPA and the CDC to discuss public health issues related to the nation's drinking water.  Of particular interest are the review and revision of existing drinking water program indicators and measures and the development of new indicators/measures that are clearly focused on public health protection.  The meeting is open to the public, and will be held on December 1 and 2, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia.  FR  11/02/01  p.63531

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  National Sea Grant College Program, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Omnibus Notice Announcing the Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2005; Notice; extension of deadlines.  The Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program application deadline is November 30, 2004; the National Strategic Initiative in Aquatic Invasive Species Research and Outreach application deadline is November 16, 2004; the State Sea Grant Programs deadline is December 1, 2004.  The full notices can be found at:  http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/DOC/NOAA/GMC/11417BWTDP07142004/Attachments.html#upl  

FR  11/03/04  p.64031

DEFENSE.  Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers.  Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement / Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the Port of Los Angeles Channel Deepening Project Additional Disposal Capacity; Los Angeles County, CA.  The Corps is currently constructing the Channel Deepening Project, however disposal sites developed for the Project have proven to be inadequate to provide disposal capacity for all sediments that require removal.  A scoping meeting to solicit public comment and concerns will be held on November 30, 2004 at the Bannings Landing Community Center in Wilmington, CA.   FR  11/04/04  p.64280

EPA.  Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants; Procedures for Detection and Quantitation.  Proposed rule; withdrawal.  EPA uses method detection limit (MDL) and minimum level of quantitation (ML) procedures to establish detection and quantitation capabilities of test procedures (i.e., analytical methods) under the Clean Water Act.  On March 12, 2003, EPA published a document in the Federal Register that proposed revisions to the regulations for the definition and procedure for EPA's method detection limit.  Today's notice withdraws the proposed revisions because they were disfavored by the vast majority of commenters on the March 2003 proposed rule, and the Agency has determined that these proposed revisions do not represent the most effective way to address the public's and EPA's concerns regarding approaches to, and use of, detection and quantitation values.  FR  11/08/04  p.64707

INTERIOR.  Fish and Wildlife Service.  DEFENSE.  Army Corps of Engineers.  Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impact Report for the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project and the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Study.  USFWS and the Corps propose to integrate the planning for these two projects, which have similar geographic scope and include restoration and flood management components.  The California Department of Fish and Game will be the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act.  Two public scoping meetings will be held to solicit comments on the environmental effects of the range of potential projects, on Nov. 16 and 17, 2004; written comments from all interested parties are encouraged and must be received by December 9, 2004.  FR  11/09/04  p.64965

EPA.  Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS); Addition of New Tracking Feature to the Public Web Site.  Notice.  IRIS is an on-line database of EPA's consensus positions on the potential health effects that may result from human exposure to various chemicals found in the environment.  “IRIS Track” will provide information on the progress of chemical assessments underway in the IRIS program, and will be accessible by anyone with access to the Internet from the IRIS home page at http://www.epa.gov/iris    FR  11/10/04  p.65176

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  Notice of Availability for Public Comment on Proposed Data Management and Communications Standards for U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). This notice announces a 30-day public comment period on proposed Data Management and Communications standards for the initial implementation of the IOOS.  The Plan provides guidance to ocean and coastal data providers regarding data documentation and discovery, data transport, Internet-enabled data browsing, and data archiving of the IOOS.  FR  11/11/04  p.65152  

COMMERCE.  NOAA.  National Marine Fisheries Service.  Endangered and Threatened Species: Take of Threatened West Coast Salmonids.  Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the NMFS' June 2004 proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act protective regulations for West Coast threatened salmon and steelhead, and Request for Comments.  NMFS is furnishing this notification to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on the draft EA.  All comments on the draft EA must be received no later than December 15, 2004.  Copies of the draft EA are available on the Internet at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1salmon/salmesa/draft4dEA.html  FR  11/15/04  p. 65582

AGRICULTURE.  Farm Service Agency.  Rural Housing Service; Rural Business-Cooperative Service; Rural Utilities Service.  Re: Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants.  Proposed rule.  The Rural Utilities Service  proposes to consolidate and amend the regulations utilized to service water and waste loan and grant programs.  The proposed rule will combine the water and waste loan and grant servicing regulations found in 7 CFR parts 1951, 1955 and 1956 into one regulation.  Unnecessary and burdensome requirements for water and waste loan and grant servicing under the program will be eliminated.  The streamlining of the water and waste loan and grant servicing regulation will allow the Service to provide better service to entities needing assistance in resolving financial and economic problems in their communities and in general improve the quality of life in rural areas.  Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before January 14, 2005.  FR  11/15/04  p.65546

EPA is promulgating water quality criteria for bacteria for coastal recreation waters in specific States and Territories. The States and Territories covered by this promulgation do not have water quality standards for bacteria that comply with the requirements of section 303 (i) (1) (A) of the Clean Water act. The criteria promulgated today apply to coastal and Great Lakes waters that are designated for swimming, bathing, surfing, or similar water contact activities and for which the State or Territory does not have in place EPA-approved bacteria criteria that are as protective of human health as EPA’s 1986 recommended bacteria criteria. The promulgation adds the Federally designated water quality criteria. Rule effective December 16, 2004. FR 11/16/04 p.67218

AGRICULTURE.  Rural Utilities Service.  Household Water Well System Program; Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact for a new grant program that will implement the Household Water Well System Program (HWWSP) lending program.  The program (authorized to appropriate up to $10,000,000 for FY 2003 through 2007) will provide grants to private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of providing loans to eligible individuals for the construction, refurbishing, and servicing of individual household water well systems in rural areas that are or will be owned by the eligible individuals.  FR  11/17/04  p.67300

INTERIOR.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California and Southern Oregon for public review and comment.  This draft recovery plan covers 33 species, of which 20 are federally listed as threatened or endangered.  These species inhabit vernal pool ecosystems in California and southern Oregon.  The draft recovery plan addresses conservation of 10 plant species of concern.  Comments on the plan must be received by March 18, 2005.  A copy of the draft plan is available at: http://pacific.fws.gov/ecoservices/endangered/recovery/plans.html   FR  11/18/04  p.67601