North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Article 1904; Binational Panel Reviews: Notice of Withdrawal of Extraordinary Challenge Committee Review, 61459-61460 [E6-17352]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 18, 2006 / Notices then click on Form AD–755. Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical handicap, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that recommendations of the Committee take into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. The final selection of Advisory Committee members and alternates will be made by the Secretary. Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix, Section 9. James E. Link, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. [FR Doc. E6–17333 Filed 10–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service Notice of Intent To Seek Approval to Conduct an Information Collection National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1 AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–113) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information collection, the Generic Clearance for Survey Research Studies. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 18, 2006 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, D.C. 20250–2024 or to gmcbride@nass.usda.gov or faxed to (202) 720–6396. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph T. Reilly, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) 720–4333. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Generic Clearance to Conduct Survey Research Studies. OMB Control Number: 0535—NEW. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:24 Oct 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct an Information Collection. Abstract: The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for generic clearance that will allow NASS to rigorously develop, test, and evaluate its survey instruments and methodologies. The primary objectives of the National Agricultural Statistics Service are to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop production, livestock production, economic statistics, and environmental statistics related to agriculture and to conduct the Census of Agriculture. This request is part of an on-going initiative to improve NASS surveys as recommended by both its own guidelines, as well as those of OMB. In the last decade, state-of-the art techniques have been increasingly instituted by NASS and other Federal agencies and are now routinely used to improve the quality and timeliness of survey data and analyses, while simultaneously reducing respondents’ cognitive workload and burden. The purpose of this generic clearance is to allow NASS to continue to adopt and use these state-of-the-art techniques to improve its current data collections on agriculture. They will also be used to aid in the development of new surveys. NASS envisions using the following kinds of survey improvement techniques, as appropriate to the individual project under investigation: Focus groups, cognitive and usability laboratory and field techniques, exploratory interviews, behavior coding, respondent debriefing, pilot surveys, and split-panel tests. Following standard OMB requirements NASS will apply to OMB individually for each survey improvement project it undertakes under this generic clearance and provide OMB with a copy of the questionnaire (if one is used), and all other materials describing the project. These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for these collections of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response. Respondents: Farms, agri-businesses, and households. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61459 Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000. Frequency of Responses: On occasion. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 500 hours. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, at (202) 720– 5778. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval. Signed at Washington, DC, September 28, 2006. R. Ronald Bosecker, NASS Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–17302 Filed 10–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–20–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Article 1904; Binational Panel Reviews: Notice of Withdrawal of Extraordinary Challenge Committee Review NAFTA Secretariat, United States Section, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Withdrawal of Extraordinary Challenge Committee. AGENCY: Review of the final affirmative countervailing duty determination filed on April 27, 2006, concerning the decisions of the binational panel that reviewed the final determination and remand determinations made by the United States Department of Commerce in the Matter of Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty E:\FR\FM\18OCN1.SGM 18OCN1 61460 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 18, 2006 / Notices Determination, Secretariat File No. USA–CDA–2002–1904–03. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the negotiated settlement between the United States and the Canadian Governments, the Extraordinary Challenge Committee review of the above noted case is terminated as of October 12, 2006. No Committee has been appointed to this panel review. 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 Extraordinary Challenge Committees (‘‘Rules’’). These Rules were published in the Federal Register on February 23, 1994 (59 FR 8686). The panel review in this matter was requested pursuant to these Rules and terminated in accordance with the settlement agreement. Dated: October 13, 2006. Caratina L. Alston, United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat. [FR Doc. E6–17352 Filed 10–17–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–GT–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1 [I.D. 100506D] Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Establishment of Annual Quotas for the Subsistence Harvest of Bowhead Whales by Alaska Natives National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:24 Oct 17, 2006 Jkt 211001 Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS); announcement of public scoping period; request for written comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: NMFS announces its intent to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), in order to assess the impacts of issuing annual quotas for the subsistence harvest of bowhead whales by Alaska Natives from 2008 through 2017. Publication of this notice begins the official scoping period that will help identify issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS. The scoping process will end December 15, 2006. ADDRESSES: To request inclusion on a mailing list of persons interested in the EIS, please contact Steve Davis, NMFS, 222W 7th Avenue, Box 43, Anchorage, AK 99513. Comments on this notice and the scoping process for this action may be submitted by: • Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. • Hand Delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK • FAX: 907–586–7557 • Email: bowhead-EIS@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line the following document identifier: Bowhead Whale Quota EIS (Email comments, with or without attachments, are limited to five (5) megabytes). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Davis or Brad Smith, NMFS Alaska Region, Anchorage Field Office, (907) 271–5006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is initiating this EIS process in order to comprehensively assess impacts of the subsistence harvest of Western Arctic bowhead whales by Alaska Natives from 2008 through 2017. Background Eskimos have hunted bowhead whales for over 2,000 years as the whales migrate in the spring and fall along the coast line of Alaska. Their traditional subsistence hunts for these whales have been regulated by a quota system under the authority of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) since 1977. Alaska Native subsistence hunters, from 10 northern Alaskan communities, take less than one percent of the stock of bowhead whales per year. Since 1977, the number of strikes has ranged between 14 and 72 animals per year, depending in part on changes in IWC management strategy due to higher estimates of bowhead whale abundance in recent years, as well as hunter efficiency. The IWC sets an overall aboriginal subsistence harvest PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 for this relevant stock, based on the request of Contracting Governments on behalf of the aboriginal hunters. In the case of Alaska Eskimo and Russian Native subsistence hunts, the United States and the Russian Federation make a joint request for a subsistence quota for bowhead whales to the IWC. NMFS must annually publish aboriginal subsistence whale hunting quotas and any other limitations on such hunting in the Federal Register (50 CFR 230.6). The subsistence hunt is directly managed by the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC). In order to comprehensively assess the effects of these annual quotas, NMFS is proposing to set the term of this analysis to extend over a 10-year period, beginning in 2008. Alternatives NMFS preliminarily anticipates four alternatives: Alternative 1: Grant the AEWC annual quotas amounting to 510 landed whales over 10 years (2008 through 2017), with an annual strike quota of 67 bowhead whales per year, where no unused strikes are added to the quota for any one year. Alternative 2: Grant the AEWC annual quotas amounting to 510 landed whales over 10 years (2008 through 2017), with an annual strike quota of 67 bowhead whales per year, where no more than 15 unused strikes are added to the strike quota for any one year. Alternative 3: Grant the AEWC annual quotas amounting to 510 landed whales over 10 years (2008 through 2017), with an annual strike quota of 67 bowhead whales per year, where, for unused strikes, up to 50 percent of the annual strike limit is added to the strike quota for any one year. Alternative 4 (no action): Do not grant the AEWC any annual quotas. Major issues to be addressed in this EIS include: the impact of subsistence removals on the Western Arctic stock of bowhead whales; the impacts of these harvest levels on the traditional and cultural values of Alaska Natives, and the cumulative effects of the action when considered along with past, present, and future actions potentially affecting bowhead whales. Public Involvement We begin this NEPA process by soliciting input from the public and interested parties on the type of impacts to be considered in the EIS, the range of alternatives to be assessed, and any other pertinent information. Specifically, this scoping process is intended to accomplish the following objectives: E:\FR\FM\18OCN1.SGM 18OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61459-61460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17352]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Article 1904; 
Binational Panel Reviews: Notice of Withdrawal of Extraordinary 
Challenge Committee Review

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

ACTION: Notice of Withdrawal of Extraordinary Challenge Committee.

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    Review of the final affirmative countervailing duty determination 
filed on April 27, 2006, concerning the decisions of the binational 
panel that reviewed the final determination and remand determinations 
made by the United States Department of Commerce in the Matter of 
Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada: Final Affirmative 
Countervailing Duty

[[Page 61460]]

Determination, Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-03.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the negotiated settlement between the United 
States and the Canadian Governments, the Extraordinary Challenge 
Committee review of the above noted case is terminated as of October 
12, 2006. No Committee has been appointed to this panel review.

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 Extraordinary Challenge Committees (``Rules''). These 
Rules were published in the Federal Register on February 23, 1994 (59 
FR 8686). The panel review in this matter was requested pursuant to 
these Rules and terminated in accordance with the settlement agreement.

    Dated: October 13, 2006.
Caratina L. Alston,
United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat.
[FR Doc. E6-17352 Filed 10-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-GT-P
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