February 7, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject EFP application contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow one vessel to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP may allow for exemptions from the NE multispecies days-at-sea (DAS) effort control program for up to 11 DAS for the purposes of studying the effects of a soft grid species separation trawl. In addition, this EFP would allow exemptions from the Gulf of Maine (GOM) Rolling Closure Areas II, III, and IV. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

The 88th meeting of the Western Pacific Fishery Council's (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will convene February 22-24, 2005, in Honolulu, HI.

In December 2004, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') received a request to conduct a new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on honey from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). We have determined that this request meets the statutory and regulatory requirements for the initiation of a new shipper review.

The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces two public meetings of the SAB Superfund Benefits Analysis Advisory Panel.

On February 27, 2002, the EPA issued national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for leather finishing operations, which were issued under section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). This action would amend the standards to clarify the frequency for categorizing leather product process types, modify the definition of ``specialty leather,'' add a definition for ``vacuum mulling,'' and add an alternative procedure for determining the actual monthly solvent loss from an affected source. In the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal Register, we are taking direct final action on the proposed amendments because we view the amendments as noncontroversial and anticipate no adverse comments. We have explained our reasons for the amendments in the direct final rule. If we receive no significant adverse comments, we will take no further action on the proposed amendments. If we receive significant adverse comments, we will withdraw only those provisions on which we received significant adverse comments. We will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register indicating which provisions will become effective and which provisions are being withdrawn. If part or all of the direct final rule in the Rules and Regulations section of today's Federal Register is withdrawn, all comments pertaining to those provisions will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on the proposed amendments. We will not institute a second comment period on the subsequent final action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), Southwest Regional Small Business Representative Program (SWR SBR), in collaboration with The University of Arkansas (UA), is announcing a public workshop entitled ``UA/FDA Food Labeling Workshop.'' This public workshop is intended to provide information about FDA food labeling regulations and other related subjects to the regulated industry, particularly small businesses and startups. Date and Time: This public workshop will be held on April 5, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on April 6, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: The public workshop will be held at the Continuing Education Center in Fayetteville, AR, located downtown (2 East Center St.). Contact: Steven C. Seideman, 2650 North Young Ave., Institute of Food Science & Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72704, 479-575-4221, FAX: 479-575-2165, or e-mail: seideman@uark.edu. For information on accommodation options, contact Steven C. Seideman (see Contact). Registration: Registration by March 21, 2005, is encouraged. The University of Arkansas has a $75 registration fee to cover the cost of facilities, materials, speakers, and breaks. Seats are limited, please submit your registration as soon as possible. Course space will be filled in order of receipt of registration. Those accepted into the course will receive confirmation. Registration will close after the course is filled. Registration at the site is not guaranteed but may be possible on a space available basis on the day of the public workshop beginning at 8 a.m. The cost of registration at the site is $80 payable to The University of Arkansas. If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Steven C. Seideman (see Contact) at least 7 days in advance. Registration Form Instructions: To register, please complete the form below and submit along with a check or money order for $75 payable to the ``The University of Arkansas.'' Mail to: Institute of Food Science & Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2650 North Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704. Name: Affiliation: Mailing Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone: ( ) Fax: ( ) E-mail: ( ) Special Accommodations Required: Transcripts: Transcripts of the public workshop will not be available due to the format of this workshop. Course handouts may be requested at cost through the Freedom of Information Office (HFI-35), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 12A-16, Rockville, MD 20857, approximately 15 working days after the public workshop at a cost of 10 cents per page.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on reporting and recordkeeping requirements for firms that process acidified foods and thermally processed low-acid foods in hermetically sealed containers.