North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews; Request for Panel Review, 49567-49568 [05-16769]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 163 / Wednesday, August 24, 2005 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–533–810] Stainless Steel Bar from India: Extension of Time Limit for the Final Results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is extending the time limit for the final results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel bar from India. The period of review is February 1, 2003, through January 31, 2004. This extension is made pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. EFFECTIVE DATE: August 24, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Holland, AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230; telephone (202) 482–1279. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On March 7, 2005, the Department of Commerce (‘‘the Department’’) published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel bar from India covering the period February 1, 2003, through January 31, 2004. See Notice of Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Stainless Steel Bar from India, 70 FR 10977 (March 7, 2005). On June 1, 2005, the Department published in the Federal Register an extension of the time limit for the final results in the antidumping duty review to no later than August 25, 2005, in accordance with the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (‘‘the Act’’). See Stainless Steel Bar from India: Extension of Time Limit for the Final Results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 70 FR 31425 (June 1, 2005). Extension of Time Limits for Final Results Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act requires the Department to issue the preliminary results of an administrative review within 245 days after the last day of the anniversary month of an antidumping duty order for which a review is requested and issue the final VerDate jul<14>2003 15:23 Aug 23, 2005 Jkt 205001 results within 120 days after the date on which the preliminary results are published. However, if it is not practicable to complete the review within the time period, section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act allows the Department to extend these deadlines to a maximum of 365 days and 180 days, respectively. On July 29, 2005, Carpenter Technology Corp., Crucible Specialty Metals Division of Crucible Materials Corp., Electralloy Corp., Slater Steels Corp., Empire Specialty Steel and the United Steelworkers of America (AFL– CIO/CLC) (collectively, the ‘‘petitioners’’), timely filed a case brief for the Department’s final results of the administrative review. In order to allow sufficient time for the Department to analyze the complex arguments contained in the petitioners’ case brief, we find that it is not practicable to complete this review within the originally anticipated time limit (i.e., by August 25, 2005). Accordingly, the Department is extending the time limit for completion of the final results to no later than September 6, 2005, in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act. This notice is issued and published in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act. Dated: August 18, 2005. Barbara E. Tillman, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E5–4631 Filed 8–23–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel Reviews; Request for Panel Review AGENCY: NAFTA Secretariat, United States Section, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of First Request for Panel Review. SUMMARY: On August 18, 2005, ThyssenKrupp Mexinox S.A. de C.V. and Mexinox USA, Inc. (collectively ‘‘Mexinox’’) filed a First Request for Panel Review with the United States Section of the NAFTA Secretariat pursuant to Article 1904 of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Panel review was requested of the Five Year Review of the AD and CVD Order made by the International Trade Commission, respecting Stainless Steel Sheet and PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 49567 Strip in Coils from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The determination was published in the Federal Register (70 Fed. Reg. 41236) on July 18, 2005 The NAFTA Secretariat has assigned Case Number USA–MEX–2005–1904–06 to this request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caratina L. Alston, United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat, Suite 2061, 14th and Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482–5438. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chapter 19 of the North American Free-Trade Agreement (‘‘Agreement’’) establishes a mechanism to replace domestic judicial review of final determinations in antidumping and countervailing duty cases involving imports from a NAFTA country with review by independent binational panels. When a Request for Panel Review is filed, a panel is established to act in place of national courts to review expeditiously the final determination to determine whether it conforms with the antidumping or countervailing duty law of the country that made the determination. Under Article 1904 of the Agreement, which came into force on January 1, 1994, the Government of the United States, the Government of Canada and the Government of Mexico established Rules of Procedure for Article 1904 Binational Panel Reviews (‘‘Rules’’). These Rules were published in the Federal Register on February 23, 1994 (59 FR 8686). A first Request for Panel Review was filed with the United States Section of the NAFTA Secretariat, pursuant to Article 1904 of the Agreement, on August 18, 2005, requesting panel review of the determination and order described above. The Rules provide that: (a) A Party or interested person may challenge the final determination in whole or in part by filing a Complaint in accordance with Rule 39 within 30 days after the filing of the first Request for Panel Review (the deadline for filing a Complaint is September 16, 2005); (b) A Party, investigating authority or interested person that does not file a Complaint but that intends to appear in support of any reviewable portion of the final determination may participate in the panel review by filing a Notice of Appearance in accordance with Rule 40 within 45 days after the filing of the first Request for Panel Review (the deadline for filing a Notice of Appearance is October 3, 2005); and (c) The panel review shall be limited to the allegations of error of fact or law, including the jurisdiction of the E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1 49568 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 163 / Wednesday, August 24, 2005 / Notices investigating authority, that are set out in the Complaints filed in the panel review and the procedural and substantive defenses raised in the panel review. Dated: August 18, 2005. Caratina L. Alston, United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat. [FR Doc. 05–16769 Filed 8–23–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–GT–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 030905A] Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Explosive Removal of Offshore Structures in the Gulf of Mexico AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt of application for an incidental take authorization; request for comments and information. SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the Minerals Management Service (MMS), for authorization to harass small numbers of marine mammals incidental to explosive severance activities at offshore oil and gas structures in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) outer continental shelf (OCS). As a result of this request, NMFS is considering whether to promulgate rulemaking, that if implemented, would govern the incidental taking of marine mammals under individual Letters of Authorization (LOAs) issued to participants in this industry to take marine mammals by Level A and Level B harassment. In order to promulgate regulations and issue LOAs thereunder, NMFS must determine that these takings will have a negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals. NMFS invites comment on MMS’ application, and suggestions on the content of the regulations. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than September 23, 2005. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Steve Leathery, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225, or by telephoning the VerDate jul<14>2003 15:23 Aug 23, 2005 Jkt 205001 contact listed here. The mailbox address for providing email comments is PR1.030905A@noaa.gov. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10– megabyte file size. A copy of the application containing a list of the references used in this document may be obtained by writing to this address or by telephoning the contact listed here and is also available at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/protlres/PR2/ SmalllTake/ smalltakelinfo.htm#applications. A copy of MMS’ Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) is available on-line at:https:// www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/ environ/nepa/2005–013.pdf FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Hollingshead, NMFS, 301– 713–2055, ext 128. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.)(MMPA) direct the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. An authorization may be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses, and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ’’...an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Except for certain categories of activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment]. PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Summary of Request On February 28, 2005, NMFS received an application from MMS (MMS, 2005a) requesting, on behalf of the offshore oil and gas industry, authorization under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to harass marine mammals incidental to explosive severance activities at offshore oil and gas structures in the GOM OCS. Description of the Activity During exploration, development, and production operations for mineral extraction in the GOM OCS, the seafloor around activity areas becomes the repository of temporary and permanent equipment and structures. In compliance with OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) regulations and MMS guidelines, operators are required to remove or ‘‘decommission’’ seafloor obstructions from their leases within one year of lease termination or after a structure has been deemed obsolete or unusable. To accomplish these removals, a host of activities is required to (1) mobilize necessary equipment and service vessels, (2) prepare the decommissioning targets (e.g., piles, jackets, conductors, bracings, wells, pipelines, etc.), (3) sever the target from the seabed and/or sever it into manageable components, (4) salvage the severed portion(s), and (5) conduct final site-clearance verification work. There are two primary methodologies used in the GOM for cutting decommissioning targets; nonexplosive and explosive severance. Nonexplosive methods include abrasive cutters (sand and abrasive-water jets), mechanical cutters (e.g., carbide or rotary), diamond wire cutting devices, and cutting facilitated by commercial divers using arc/gas torches. Though relatively timeconsuming and potentially harmful to human health and safety (primarily for diver severances), nonexplosiveseverance activities have little or no impact on the marine environment and would not result in an incidental take of marine mammals (MMS, 2005bProgrammatic Environmental Assessment (PEA)). A description of non-explosive severing tools and methods can be found in MMS’ application and the PEA (section 1.4.7.1)(see ADDRESSES). Explosive-severance activities use specialized charges to achieve target severance. Severance charges can be deployed on multiple targets and detonated nearly-simultaneously (i.e., staggered at an interval of 900 msec) effecting rapid severances. Coupled with safe-handling practices, the E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49567-49568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16769]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


North American Free-Trade Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel 
Reviews; Request for Panel Review

AGENCY: NAFTA Secretariat, United States Section, International Trade 
Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of First Request for Panel Review.

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

SUMMARY: On August 18, 2005, ThyssenKrupp Mexinox S.A. de C.V. and 
Mexinox USA, Inc. (collectively ``Mexinox'') filed a First Request for 
Panel Review with the United States Section of the NAFTA Secretariat 
pursuant to Article 1904 of the North American Free Trade Agreement. 
Panel review was requested of the Five Year Review of the AD and CVD 
Order made by the International Trade Commission, respecting Stainless 
Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, 
Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The determination was 
published in the Federal Register (70 Fed. Reg. 41236) on July 18, 2005 
The NAFTA Secretariat has assigned Case Number USA-MEX-2005-1904-06 to 
this request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caratina L. Alston, United States 
Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat, Suite 2061, 14th and Constitution Avenue, 
Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482-5438.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chapter 19 of the North American Free-Trade 
Agreement (``Agreement'') establishes a mechanism to replace domestic 
judicial review of final determinations in antidumping and 
countervailing duty cases involving imports from a NAFTA country with 
review by independent binational panels. When a Request for Panel 
Review is filed, a panel is established to act in place of national 
courts to review expeditiously the final determination to determine 
whether it conforms with the antidumping or countervailing duty law of 
the country that made the determination.
    Under Article 1904 of the Agreement, which came into force on 
January 1, 1994, the Government of the United States, the Government of 
Canada and the Government of Mexico established Rules of Procedure for 
Article 1904 Binational Panel Reviews (``Rules''). These Rules were 
published in the Federal Register on February 23, 1994 (59 FR 8686).
    A first Request for Panel Review was filed with the United States 
Section of the NAFTA Secretariat, pursuant to Article 1904 of the 
Agreement, on August 18, 2005, requesting panel review of the 
determination and order described above.
    The Rules provide that:
    (a) A Party or interested person may challenge the final 
determination in whole or in part by filing a Complaint in accordance 
with Rule 39 within 30 days after the filing of the first Request for 
Panel Review (the deadline for filing a Complaint is September 16, 
2005);
    (b) A Party, investigating authority or interested person that does 
not file a Complaint but that intends to appear in support of any 
reviewable portion of the final determination may participate in the 
panel review by filing a Notice of Appearance in accordance with Rule 
40 within 45 days after the filing of the first Request for Panel 
Review (the deadline for filing a Notice of Appearance is October 3, 
2005); and
    (c) The panel review shall be limited to the allegations of error 
of fact or law, including the jurisdiction of the

[[Page 49568]]

investigating authority, that are set out in the Complaints filed in 
the panel review and the procedural and substantive defenses raised in 
the panel review.

    Dated: August 18, 2005.
Caratina L. Alston,
United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 05-16769 Filed 8-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-GT-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.