80 FR 44335 - Final Waiver and Extension of the Project Period; Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant Program
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 143 (July 27, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 143 (July 27, 2015)
| Page Range | 44335-44337 | |
| FR Document | 2015-18414 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 143 (Monday, July 27, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 44335-44337] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-18414] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket ID ED-2015-OESE-0047] Final Waiver and Extension of the Project Period; Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant Program [Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.256A.] AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Final waiver and extension of the project period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: For the 36-month projects funded in fiscal year (FY) 2012 under the Territories and Freely Associated States Education Grant (T&FASEG) program, the Secretary waives the requirement that prohibits the extension of project periods involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The Secretary also extends the project period of these grants for up to an additional 24 months. The waiver and extension enables the five current T&FASEG grantees to continue to receive Federal funding annually for project periods through FY 2016 and possibly through FY 2017. In addition, during this period, the Pacific Regional Educational Laboratory (Pacific REL) will continue to receive funds set aside for technical assistance under the T&FASEG program. Further, the waiver and extension mean that we will not announce a new competition or make new awards in FY 2015. DATES: The waiver and extension of the project period are effective July 27, 2015. [[Page 44336]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Collette Fisher. Telephone: (202) 401- 0039 or by email at: [email protected]. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf or a text telephone, call the Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-800-877- 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 23, 2015, we published a notice in the Federal Register (80 FR 22729) proposing an extension of the project period for up to an additional 24 months and a waiver of the requirement in 34 CFR 75.261(c)(2) that prohibits the extension of project periods involving the obligation of additional Federal funds in order to-- (1) Enable the five current T&FASEG grantees to continue to receive Federal funding annually for project periods through FY 2016 and possibly through FY 2017; and (2) Allow the Pacific REL to continue to receive funds set aside for technical assistance under the T&FASEG program. There are no substantive differences between the proposed waiver and extension and the final waiver and extension. Public Comment In response to our invitation in the notice of proposed waiver and extension of the project period, we received two comments. Analysis of Comments and Changes: An analysis of the comments received in response to the proposed waiver and extension of the project period follows. Comments: The comments expressed support for the proposed waiver and extension of the project period. The commenters supported a continuation of service that allows for sustaining the work of the grant projects and building upon current services that have improved schools and local educational agency (LEA) infrastructure. Discussion: We appreciate the commenters' support and note the importance of the assistance provided by the T&FASEG program to the five current grantees in the U.S. Territories and the Republic of Palau for teacher training, curriculum development, and general school improvement and reform. We agree that it would be more effective to maintain the continuity of current projects without disruption than to hold a new competition at this time. Changes: None. Background The T&FASEG program is authorized under section 1121(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). Under this program, the Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to LEAs in the U.S. Territories--American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands--and one eligible Freely Associated State, the Republic of Palau. Through these grants, the T&FASEG program supports projects to raise student achievement through direct educational services. T&FASEG program grant funds may be used for activities authorized under the ESEA, including teacher training, curriculum development, development or acquisition of instructional materials, and general school improvement and reform. More specifically, under the T&FASEG program, grant funds may be used to-- (a) Conduct activities consistent with the programs described in the ESEA, including the types of activities authorized under-- (1) Title I--Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged; (2) Title II--Preparing, Training, and Recruiting Highly-Quality Teachers and Principals; (3) Title III--Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students; (4) Title IV--21st Century Schools; and (5) Title V--Promoting Informed Parental Choice and Innovative Programs; and (b) Provide direct educational services that assist all students with meeting challenging State academic content standards. In addition, section 1121(b)(3)(d) of the ESEA authorizes the Secretary to provide up to five percent of the amount reserved for T&FASEG program grants to pay the administrative costs of the Pacific REL, which provides technical assistance to grant recipients regarding the administration and implementation of their projects. On April 30, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 25452) a notice inviting applications for new awards under the FY 2012 T&FASEG program competition (2012 Notice Inviting Applications). In FY 2012, the Department made three-year awards to five T&FASEG projects. The project period for these T&FASEG program grants is currently scheduled to end on September 30, 2015. We have concluded that it is not in the public interest to incur a disruption in the services associated with holding a new T&FASEG competition in FY 2015. Rather, it will be more effective to maintain the continuity of current projects by allowing grantees the opportunity to continue to provide high-quality direct educational services in support of the Secretary's priorities to students and teachers in the U.S. Territories and the Republic of Palau without interruption. Consistent with the scope, goals, and objectives of the current projects, grantees will continue to support initiatives on standards and assessments, effective teachers and leaders, and projects that are designed to improve student achievement or teacher effectiveness through the use of high-quality digital tools or materials. Such initiatives and projects include preparing teachers to use technology to improve instruction, as well as developing, implementing, and evaluating digital tools and materials. Moreover, we believe that a longer project period will better enable grantees to carry out project objectives and anticipate providing for longer project periods in future competitions. Additionally, given that all eligible applicants currently receive grant awards under the T&FASEG program, this waiver and extension will have limited impact on those entities. For these reasons, for the five current T&FASEG grant recipients, the Secretary waives the requirement in 34 CFR 75.261(c)(2), which prohibits the extension of project periods involving the obligation of additional Federal funds, and extends the project period for these grant recipients for up to 24 months. This will allow the grantees to continue to receive Federal funding annually for project periods through FY 2016 and possibly FY 2017. We will fund the extended project period by using funds Congress appropriates under the current statutory authority, including FY 2014 funds available for awards made in FY 2015 and, if the grants are extended for two years, FY 2015 funds available for awards made in FY 2016. Under this waiver and extension of the project period-- (1) Current grantees will be authorized to receive T&FASEG continuation awards annually for up to two years through FY 2017; (2) We will not announce a new T&FASEG competition or make new T&FASEG grant awards in FY 2015; (3) During the extension period, any activities carried out would be consistent with, or a logical extension of, the scope, goals, and objectives of each grantee's approved application from the 2012 T&FASEG program competition; (4) The requirements established in the program regulations and the 2012 Notice Inviting Applications will continue to apply to each grantee that receives a continuation award; and [[Page 44337]] (5) All requirements applicable to continuation awards for current T&FASEG grantees and the requirements in 34 CFR 75.253 will apply to any continuation awards received by current T&FASEG grantees. We will make decisions regarding annual continuation awards based on grantee performance as demonstrated through program narratives, budgets and budget narratives, and performance reports, and based on the regulations in 34 CFR 75.253. We intend to award continuation grants based on information provided to us annually by each grantee, indicating that it is making substantial progress performing its T&FASEG program activities based on substantial performance and progress. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification The Secretary certifies that the waiver and extension and the activities required to support additional years of funding will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The only entities that will be affected by this waiver and extension are the five current T&FASEG program grantees receiving Federal funds. There are no other potential applicants. The Secretary certifies that this waiver and extension will not have a significant economic impact on these entities because the extension of an existing project imposes minimal compliance costs, and the activities required to support the additional years of funding will not impose additional regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 This waiver and extension does not contain any information collection requirements. Intergovernmental Review This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a strengthened federalism. The Executive order relies on processes developed by State and local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. This document provides early notification of our specific plans and actions for this program. Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated authority to Ann Whalen, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6331. Dated: July 22, 2015. Ann Whalen, Senior Advisor to the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-18414 Filed 7-24-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 143 / Monday, July 27, 2015 / Notices 44335
the FDMS system, the viewed comment will improve safety culture at WTP. The hearing and meeting, along with a DVD
not include the name of the submitter or any Board will consider several topics video recording, will be made available
other identifying information about the related to safety culture. DOE’s Office of by the Board for inspection and viewing
individual except that which the submitter Independent Enterprise Assessment will by the public at the Board’s Washington
has opted to include as part of his or her
general comments. However, a comment
be given the opportunity to discuss the office and at DOE’s public reading room
submitted in writing that has been scanned concerns identified in the WTP at the DOE Federal Building, 1000
and uploaded into the FDMS system will independent safety culture assessments. Independence Avenue SW.,
display the submitter’s identifying DOE’s Office of Environmental Washington, DC 20585. The Board
information that has been included as part of Management and ORP are expected to specifically reserves its right to further
the written correspondence.’’ discuss actions to strengthen and schedule and otherwise regulate the
sustain a healthy safety culture at WTP. course of the hearing and meeting, to
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015–18266 Filed 7–24–15; 8:45 am]
Testimony will also address actions recess, reconvene, postpone, or adjourn
taken by DOE to assess the effectiveness the hearing and meeting, conduct
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
of their improvements in safety culture further reviews, and otherwise exercise
and the tools being used to track future its power under the Atomic Energy Act
progress. After a brief recess, the Board of 1954, as amended.
DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES will convene the Session II meeting. The
SAFETY BOARD Dated: July 22, 2015.
Board will receive testimony from a Jessie H. Roberson,
Sunshine Act Notice senior Board technical staff employee
Vice Chairman.
concerning DOE’s efforts to improve
[FR Doc. 2015–18405 Filed 7–23–15; 11:15 am]
AGENCY: Defense Nuclear Facilities safety culture at WTP and a staff
Safety Board. proposal for possible approaches to BILLING CODE 3670–01–P
ACTION: Notice of public hearing and closing Recommendation 2011–1, Safety
meeting. Culture at the Waste Treatment and
Immobilization Plant. The Board is then DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of expected to conduct deliberations
the Government in the Sunshine Act, concerning the staff’s proposal. [Docket ID ED–2015–OESE–0047]
notice is hereby given of the Defense FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s (Board) Mark Welch, General Manager, Defense Final Waiver and Extension of the
public meeting and hearing described Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Project Period; Territories and Freely
below. The Board invites any interested Indiana Avenue NW., Suite 700, Associated States Education Grant
persons or groups to present any Washington, DC 20004–2901, (800) 788– Program
comments, technical information, or 4016. This is a toll-free number.
data concerning safety issues related to [Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public
the matters to be considered. (CFDA) Number: 84.256A.]
participation in the hearing and meeting
DATES: Session I (Hearing): 5:00 p.m.– is invited. The Board is setting aside AGENCY: Office of Elementary and
7:30 p.m., Session II (Meeting): 8:00 time in each Session for presentations Secondary Education, Department of
p.m.–9:30 p.m., August 26, 2015. and comments from the public. Education.
ADDRESSES: Three Rivers Convention Requests to speak may be submitted in ACTION: Final waiver and extension of
Center, 7016 West Grandbridge writing or by telephone. The Board asks the project period.
Boulevard, Kennewick, Washington that commenters describe the nature
99352. and scope of their oral presentations. SUMMARY: For the 36-month projects
Status: Open. The Board has Those who contact the Board prior to funded in fiscal year (FY) 2012 under
determined that an open meeting close of business on August 21, 2015, the Territories and Freely Associated
furthers the public interest underlying will be scheduled to speak at the States Education Grant (T&FASEG)
both the Government in the Sunshine Session most relevant to their program, the Secretary waives the
Act and the Board’s enabling legislation. presentations. At the beginning of requirement that prohibits the extension
The proceeding is being noticed as both Session I, the Board will post a schedule of project periods involving the
a meeting under the Government in the for speakers at the entrance to the obligation of additional Federal funds.
Sunshine Act and a hearing under the hearing room. Anyone who wishes to The Secretary also extends the project
Board’s enabling legislation. At the comment or provide technical period of these grants for up to an
conclusion of Session II, the Board is information or data may do so in additional 24 months. The waiver and
expected to deliberate and then writing, either in lieu of, or in addition extension enables the five current
potentially vote on a staff proposal. to, making an oral presentation. The T&FASEG grantees to continue to
Deliberations and voting will proceed in Board Members may question presenters receive Federal funding annually for
accordance with the Board’s operating to the extent deemed appropriate. project periods through FY 2016 and
procedures concerning the conduct of Documents will be accepted at the possibly through FY 2017. In addition,
meetings. hearing or may be sent to the Board’s during this period, the Pacific Regional
Matters To Be Considered: In the Washington, DC office. The Board will Educational Laboratory (Pacific REL)
Session I hearing, the Board will receive hold the hearing record open until will continue to receive funds set aside
testimony from senior officials from the September 26, 2015, for the receipt of for technical assistance under the
T&FASEG program. Further, the waiver
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Department of Energy (DOE) additional materials. The meeting
Headquarters, from the Manager for record will close when the meeting and extension mean that we will not
DOE’s Office of River Protection (ORP), adjourns. The hearing and meeting will announce a new competition or make
and from the Federal Project Director for be presented live through Internet video new awards in FY 2015.
the Waste Treatment and streaming. A link to the presentation DATES: The waiver and extension of the
Immobilization Plant (WTP) regarding will be available on the Board’s Web site project period are effective July 27,
the current status of DOE efforts to (www.dnfsb.gov). A transcript of the 2015.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 143 / Monday, July 27, 2015 / Notices 44337
(5) All requirements applicable to Electronic Access to This Document: h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Matthew
continuation awards for current The official version of this document is Joseph, License Coordinator, Pacific Gas
T&FASEG grantees and the the document published in the Federal and Electric Company, Mail Code:
requirements in 34 CFR 75.253 will Register. Free Internet access to the N13E, P.O. Box 770000, San Francisco,
apply to any continuation awards official edition of the Federal Register CA 94177, Phone: (415) 973–8616.
received by current T&FASEG grantees. and the Code of Federal Regulations is i. FERC Contact: Mr. John Aedo, (415)
We will make decisions regarding available via the Federal Digital System 369–3335, or john.aedo@ferc.gov.
annual continuation awards based on at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you j. Deadline for filing comments,
grantee performance as demonstrated can view this document, as well as all motions to intervene, protests, and
through program narratives, budgets and other documents of this Department recommendations is 15 days from the
budget narratives, and performance published in the Federal Register, in issuance date of this notice by the
reports, and based on the regulations in text or Adobe Portable Document Commission (August 5, 2015). The
34 CFR 75.253. We intend to award Format (PDF). To use PDF you must Commission strongly encourages
continuation grants based on have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is electronic filing. Please file motions to
information provided to us annually by available free at the site. intervene, protests, comments, or
each grantee, indicating that it is making You may also access documents of the recommendations using the
substantial progress performing its Department published in the Federal Commission’s eFiling system at http://
T&FASEG program activities based on Register by using the article search www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.
substantial performance and progress. feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Commenters can submit brief comments
Specifically, through the advanced up to 6,000 characters, without prior
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification registration, using the eComment system
search feature at this site, you can limit
The Secretary certifies that the waiver your search to documents published by at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
and extension and the activities the Department. ecomment.asp. You must include your
required to support additional years of Delegation of Authority: The Secretary name and contact information at the end
funding will not have a significant of Education has delegated authority to of your comments. For assistance,
economic impact on a substantial Ann Whalen, Senior Advisor to the please contact FERC Online Support at
number of small entities. The only Secretary, to perform the functions and FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
entities that will be affected by this duties of the Assistant Secretary for the 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
waiver and extension are the five Office of Elementary and Secondary (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please
current T&FASEG program grantees Education. send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal
receiving Federal funds. There are no Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6331. First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.
other potential applicants.
The Secretary certifies that this Dated: July 22, 2015. Please include the project numbers (P–
waiver and extension will not have a Ann Whalen, 803–106) on any comments, motions to
significant economic impact on these Senior Advisor to the Secretary. intervene, protests, or recommendations
entities because the extension of an [FR Doc. 2015–18414 Filed 7–24–15; 8:45 am]
filed.
existing project imposes minimal k. Description of Request: The
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
compliance costs, and the activities licensee requests a temporary variance
required to support the additional years of the minimum flow requirements in
of funding will not impose additional the West Branch Feather River below
regulatory burdens or require DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Hendricks Head Dam (gage BW40) and
unnecessary Federal supervision. in Butte Creek below Butte Head Dam
Federal Energy Regulatory (gage BW98). The licensee requests that
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Commission the instantaneous dry year minimum
This waiver and extension does not flow requirement of 7 cubic feet per
[Project No. 803–106]
contain any information collection second (cfs) at both locations be
requirements. Pacific Gas and Electric Company; temporarily modified to a 7 cfs, 48-hour
Notice of Application Accepted for average minimum flow. The licensee
Intergovernmental Review states that the temporary variance
Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions
This program is subject to Executive To Intervene, and Protests would eliminate the need to release
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 additional buffer flows of 4 to 5 cfs and
CFR part 79. One of the objectives of the Take notice that the following instead, allocate those flows to the
Executive order is to foster an hydroelectric application has been filed lower reaches of Butte Creek, where
intergovernmental partnership and a with the Commission and is available spring-run Chinook salmon are
strengthened federalism. The Executive for public inspection: currently holding. The licensee requests
order relies on processes developed by a. Type of Application: Application the variance until the natural resource
State and local governments for for Temporary Variance of Minimum agencies determine that it is no longer
coordination and review of proposed Flow Requirements. necessary to support the spring-run
Federal financial assistance. This b. Project No.: 803–106. Chinook salmon.
document provides early notification of c. Date Filed: June 25, 2015. l. Locations of the Application: A
our specific plans and actions for this d. Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric copy of the application is available for
program. Company (licensee). inspection and reproduction at the
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Accessible Format: Individuals with e. Name of Project: DeSabla- Commission’s Public Reference Room,
disabilities can obtain this document in Centerville Project. located at 888 First Street NE., Room
an accessible format (e.g., braille, large f. Location: Butte Creek, West Branch 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling
print, audiotape, or compact disc) on Feather River, and tributaries in Butte (202) 502–8371. This filing may also be
request to the contact person listed County, California. viewed on the Commission’s Web site at
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
CONTACT. Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)–825(r). elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number
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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:27:01
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:27:01
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Final waiver and extension of the project period. | |
| Dates | The waiver and extension of the project period are effective July 27, 2015. | |
| Contact | Collette Fisher. Telephone: (202) 401- 0039 or by email at: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 44335 |
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