Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement With Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam, 4480-4482 [E9-1515]

Download as PDF 4480 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 15 / Monday, January 26, 2009 / Notices accidents are not increased. Therefore, there is no undue risk to public health and safety. Will Not Endanger Life or Property or Common Defense and Security Physical location and administrative controls associated with the storage of the 12 irradiated fission chambers are adequately controlled and accounted for by the licensee. Therefore, the exemption will not endanger life or property or common defense and security. Otherwise in the Public Interest The licensee pointed out that the ALARA requirement in 10 CFR Part 20, ‘‘Standards for protection against radiation,’’ requires ‘‘* * * making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to radiation as far below the dose limits in this part as is practical consistent with the purpose for which the licensed activity is undertaken, * * *’’ This request for an exemption from the physical inventory requirements of 10 CFR 74.19(c) would relieve SCE of potentially significant occupational radiation exposures with no decrease in quality and safety. Therefore, the exemption is in the public interest and consistent with the special circumstances of maintaining exposures ALARA. 4.0 Conclusion Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR 74.7, the exemption is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants SCE an exemption to SONGS 3 from the requirements of 10 CFR 74.19(c) for physical inventory for 12 irradiated fission chambers removed from SONGS 3 in 1995 and in storage. In accordance with the licensee’s letter dated January 14, 2008, SCE will continue to conduct an annual inventory of the 12 fission chambers by visual verification to confirm that the HIC, where the 12 fission chambers are stored, remains in its storage location and the container is structurally intact. In addition, the visual inventory will be augmented to include verification that the tamper-indicating device installed in November 2007 on the HIC has not been disturbed. The annual physical inventory of all other SNM will continue to be performed per the requirements of 10 CFR 74.19(c). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that the granting of this exemption will not have a significant effect on the quality of the VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:20 Jan 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 human environment (73 FR 79936, dated December 30, 2008). This exemption is effective upon issuance. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 15th day of January 2009. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Joseph G. Giitter, Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. E9–1566 Filed 1–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395– 3475. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning written comments or participation in the public hearing, contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395–3475. All other questions regarding the TPP should be directed to Douglas Bell, Deputy Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, at (202) 395–6813. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement With Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice of intent to initiate negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement with Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam, request for comments, and notice of public hearing. SUMMARY: The United States intends to initiate negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement with Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam. The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will convene a public hearing and seek public comment to assist the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in amplifying and clarifying negotiating objectives for the proposed agreements and to provide advice on how specific goods and services and other matters should be treated under the proposed agreement. DATES: Persons wishing to testify orally at the hearing must provide written notification of their intent to testify, as well as their testimony, by February 25, 2009. A hearing will be held in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2009, and will continue as necessary on subsequent days. Written comments are due by noon, March 11, 2009. ADDRESSES: Notices of intent to testify, testimony and/or written comments should be submitted electronically via the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to on-line submissions please contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The process followed for notifying and consulting on the TPP negotiation is based on the procedures outlined under section 2104 of the Trade Act of 2002 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 3804). Under these procedures, the President must provide the Congress with at least 90 calendar days written notice of his intent to enter into negotiations and identify the specific objectives for the negotiation and, before and after submission of the notice, consult with appropriate Congressional committees regarding the negotiations. Under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, the President must (i) afford interested persons an opportunity to present their views regarding any matter relevant to any proposed agreement, (ii) designate an agency or inter-agency committee to hold a public hearing regarding any proposed agreement, and (iii) seek the advice of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding the probable economic effects on U.S. industries and consumers of the removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers on imports pursuant to any proposed agreement. On September 22, 2008 (for Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and Brunei Darussalam) and December 30, 2008 (for Australia, Peru and Vietnam), after consulting with relevant Congressional committees, the USTR notified the Congress that the President intends to initiate free trade agreement negotiations with these Trans-Pacific countries and identified specific objectives for the negotiations. In addition, the USTR is requesting that the ITC provide its advice on probable economic effects of the free trade agreement. This notice solicits views from the public on these negotiations and provides information on a hearing that will be conducted based on the requirements of the Trade Act of 1974. 2. Public Comments and Testimony To assist the Administration as it continues to develop its negotiating objectives for the proposed agreements, E:\FR\FM\26JAN1.SGM 26JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 15 / Monday, January 26, 2009 / Notices the Chairman of the TPSC invites the written comments and/or oral testimony of interested persons at a public hearing. Comments and testimony may address the reduction or elimination of tariffs or non-tariff barriers on any articles provided for in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) that are products of the participating Trans-Pacific countries, any concession that should be sought by the United States, or any other matter relevant to the proposed agreement. The TPSC invites comments and testimony on all of these matters and, in particular, seeks comments and testimony addressed to: (a) General and commodity-specific negotiating objectives for the proposed plurilateral agreement. (b) Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers on articles traded with the seven TransPacific countries. (c) Treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under the proposed agreement, including comments on: (1) Product-specific import or export interests or barriers, (2) Experience with particular measures that should be addressed in the negotiations, and (3) In the case of articles for which immediate elimination of tariffs is not appropriate, a recommended staging schedule for such elimination. (d) Adequacy of existing customs measures to ensure that imported goods originate from the seven Trans-Pacific countries, and appropriate rules of origin for goods entering the United States under the proposed agreement. (e) Existing sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade imposed by the seven Trans-Pacific countries that should be addressed in the negotiations. (f) Existing barriers to trade in services between the United States and the Trans-Pacific countries that should be addressed in the negotiations. (g) Relevant electronic commerce issues that should be addressed in the negotiations. (h) Relevant trade-related intellectual property rights issues that should be addressed in the negotiations. (i) Relevant investment issues that should be addressed in the negotiations. (j) Relevant competition-related matters that should be addressed in the negotiations. (k) Relevant government procurement issues that should be addressed in the negotiations. (l) Relevant environmental issues that should be addressed in the negotiations. (m) Relevant labor issues that should be addressed in the negotiations. VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:20 Jan 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 Comments identifying as present or potential trade barriers laws or regulations that are not primarily traderelated should address the economic, political, and social objectives of such laws and regulations and the degree to which they discriminate against foreign producers. At a later date, the USTR, through the TPSC, will publish notice of reviews regarding (a) the possible environmental effects of the proposed agreement and the scope of the U.S. environmental review of the proposed agreement, and (b) the impact of the proposed agreement on U.S. employment and labor markets. A hearing will be held on March 4, 2009, in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC. Persons wishing to testify at the hearing must provide written notification of their intent to testify by February 25, 2009. The notification should include: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony; and (2) a short (one or two paragraphs) summary of the presentation, including the subject matter and, as applicable, the product(s) (with HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other subjects (such as investment, intellectual property, and/or government procurement) to be discussed. A copy of the testimony must accompany the notification. Remarks at the hearing should be limited to no more than five minutes to allow for possible questions from the TPSC. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the hearing should contact the TPSC Executive Secretary. Interested persons, including persons who participate in the hearing, may submit written comments by noon, March 11, 2009. Written comments may include rebuttal points demonstrating errors of fact or analysis not pointed out in the hearing. All written comments must state clearly the position taken, describe with particularity the supporting rationale, and be in English. The first page of written comments must specify the subject matter, including, as applicable, the product(s) (with HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other subjects (such as investment, intellectual property and/or government procurement). 3. Requirements for Submissions Persons submitting an intent to testify and testimony and/or comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of the submission) the ‘‘United States—Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement.’’ Notice of intent to testify and testimony must be received by February 25, 2009. PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4481 Written comments must be received by March 11, 2009. In order to ensure the most timely and expeditious receipt and consideration of testimony and/or comments, USTR has arranged to accept on-line submissions via www.regulations.gov. To submit testimony and comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR–2009–0002 on the home page and click ‘‘go’’. The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ‘‘Notice’’ under ‘‘Document Type’’ on the left side of the searchresults page, and click on the link entitled ‘‘Send a Comment or Submission.’’ (For further information on using the https:// www.regulations.gov/ Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ‘‘How to Use This Site’’ on the left side of the home page.) The www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of making submissions by filling in a ‘‘General Comments’’ field, or by attaching a document. We expect that most submissions will be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type ‘‘See attached’’ in the ‘‘General Comments’’ field. Submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) are preferred. If an application other than those two is used, please identify in your submission the specific application used. For any comments submitted electronically containing business confidential information, the file name of the business confidential version should begin with the characters ‘‘BC’’. Any page containing business confidential information must be clearly marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ on the top of that page. Filers of submissions containing business confidential information must also submit a public version of their comments. The file name of the public version should begin with the character ‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business confidential information should name their file using the character ‘‘P’’, followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply comments. Electronic submissions should not contain separate cover letters; rather, information that might appear in a cover letter should be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent possible, any attachments to a E:\FR\FM\26JAN1.SGM 26JAN1 4482 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 15 / Monday, January 26, 2009 / Notices submission should be included in the same file as the submission itself and not as separate files. All nonconfidential comments and reply comments will be placed on the USTR Web site, https://www.USTR.gov pursuant to 15 CFR 2003.5. We strongly urge submitters to avail themselves of the electronic filing, if at all possible. If an on-line submission is impossible, alternative arrangements must be made with Ms. Blue prior to delivery for the receipt of such submissions. Ms. Blue should be contacted at (202) 395–3475. General information concerning the Office of the United States Trade Representative may be obtained by accessing its Internet Web site (https://www.ustr.gov). Carmen Suro-Bredie, Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee. [FR Doc. E9–1515 Filed 1–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190–W9–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act; Designation of Qualifying Industrial Zones Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Under the United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act (IFTA Act), articles of qualifying industrial zones encompassing portions of Israel and Jordan or Israel and Egypt are eligible to receive duty-free treatment. Effective upon publication of this notice, the United States Trade Representative, pursuant to authority delegated by the President, is designating the Beni Suief zone and the Al Minya zone as qualifying industrial zones under the IFTA Act. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sonia Franceski, Director for Middle East Affairs, (202) 395–4987, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to authority granted under section 9 of the United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act of 1985 (IFTA Act), as amended (19 U.S.C. 2112 note), Presidential Proclamation 6955 of November 13, 1996 (61 FR 58761) proclaimed certain tariff treatment for articles of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and qualifying industrial zones. In particular, the Presidential Proclamation modified general notes 3 and 8 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:20 Jan 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 United States: (a) To provide duty-free treatment to qualifying articles that are the product of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or a qualifying industrial zone and are entered in accordance with the provisions of section 9 of the IFTA Act; (b) to provide that articles of Israel may be treated as though they were articles directly shipped from Israel for purposes of the United States-Israel Free Trade Area Agreement (‘‘the Agreement’’) even if shipped to the United States from the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, or a qualifying industrial zone, if the articles otherwise meet the requirements of the Agreement; and (c) to provide that the cost or value of materials produced in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, or a qualifying industrial zone may be included in the cost or value of materials produced in Israel under section 1(c)(i) of Annex 3 of the Agreement and that the direct costs of processing operations performed in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, or a qualifying industrial zone may be included in the direct costs of processing operations performed in Israel under section 1(c)(ii) of Annex 3 of the Agreement. Section 9(e) of the IFTA Act defines a ‘‘qualifying industrial zone’’ as an area that ‘‘(1) Encompasses portions of the territory of Israel and Jordan or Israel and Egypt; (2) has been designated by local authorities as an enclave where merchandise may enter without payment of duty or excise taxes; and (3) has been specified by the President as a qualifying industrial zone.’’ Presidential Proclamation 6955 delegated to the United States Trade Representative the authority to designate qualifying industrial zones. The United States Trade Representative has previously designated qualifying industrial zones under Section 9 of the IFTA Act on March 13, 1998 (63 FR 12572), March 19, 1999 (64 FR 13623), October 15, 1999 (64 FR 56015), October 24, 2000 (65 FR 64472), and December 12, 2000 (65 FR 77688), June 15, 2001 (66 FR 32660), January 28, 2004 (69 FR 4199), December 29, 2004 (69 FR 78094), and November 16, 2005 (70 FR 69622). The governments of Israel and Egypt jointly requested in a letter submitted to the United States Trade Representative on January 5, 2009 the designation as a qualifying industrial zone of the areas comprising the Beni Suief and Al Minya zones. The names and locations of the currently producing factories comprising the Beni Suief zone and the Al Minya zone are specified on maps and materials submitted by Egypt and Israel and are on file with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Israel PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and Egypt have agreed that merchandise may enter, without payment of duty or excise taxes, areas under their respective customs control that comprise the Beni Suief zone and the Al Minya zone. Further, the operation and administration of these zones are provided for in the previously agreed ‘‘Protocol between the Government of the State of Israel and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt On Qualifying Industrial Zones.’’ Accordingly, the Beni Suief zone and the Al Minya zone meet the criteria under sections 9(e)(1) and (2) of the IFTA Act. Therefore, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by Presidential Proclamation 6955, I hereby designate the areas occupied by the currently producing factories that comprise the Beni Suief zone and the Al Minya zone as specified on maps and materials received from Egypt and Israel, as qualifying industrial zones under section 9 of the IFTA Act, effective upon the date of publication of this notice, applicable to articles shipped from these qualifying industrial zones after such date. Susan C. Schwab, United States Trade Representative. [FR Doc. E9–1589 Filed 1–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190–W9–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act; Designation of Qualifying Industrial Zones AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Under the United States-Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act (IFTA Act), articles of qualifying industrial zones encompassing portions of Israel and Jordan or Israel and Egypt are eligible to receive duty-free treatment. Effective upon publication of this notice, the United States Trade Representative, pursuant to authority delegated by the President, is designating Shoubak, Shouneh Wistah, Madaba/Dalilet, Irbid/Al-Westieyn, and Al-Tafileh as qualifying industrial zones under the IFTA Act. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sonia Franceski, Director for Middle East Affairs, (202) 395–4987, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508. E:\FR\FM\26JAN1.SGM 26JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 15 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4480-4482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1515]


=======================================================================
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning 
Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement With Singapore, 
Chile, New Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of intent to initiate negotiations on a Trans-Pacific 
Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement with Singapore, Chile, New 
Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam, request for 
comments, and notice of public hearing.

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

SUMMARY: The United States intends to initiate negotiations on a Trans-
Pacific Partnership free trade agreement with Singapore, Chile, New 
Zealand, Brunei Darussalam, Australia, Peru and Vietnam. The 
interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will convene a public 
hearing and seek public comment to assist the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) in amplifying and clarifying negotiating 
objectives for the proposed agreements and to provide advice on how 
specific goods and services and other matters should be treated under 
the proposed agreement.

DATES: Persons wishing to testify orally at the hearing must provide 
written notification of their intent to testify, as well as their 
testimony, by February 25, 2009. A hearing will be held in Washington, 
DC, on March 4, 2009, and will continue as necessary on subsequent 
days. Written comments are due by noon, March 11, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Notices of intent to testify, testimony and/or written 
comments should be submitted electronically via the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to on-line submissions please 
contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, 
at (202) 395-3475.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning 
written comments or participation in the public hearing, contact Gloria 
Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395-
3475. All other questions regarding the TPP should be directed to 
Douglas Bell, Deputy Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, 
at (202) 395-6813.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Background

    The process followed for notifying and consulting on the TPP 
negotiation is based on the procedures outlined under section 2104 of 
the Trade Act of 2002 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 3804). Under these 
procedures, the President must provide the Congress with at least 90 
calendar days written notice of his intent to enter into negotiations 
and identify the specific objectives for the negotiation and, before 
and after submission of the notice, consult with appropriate 
Congressional committees regarding the negotiations. Under the Trade 
Act of 1974, as amended, the President must (i) afford interested 
persons an opportunity to present their views regarding any matter 
relevant to any proposed agreement, (ii) designate an agency or inter-
agency committee to hold a public hearing regarding any proposed 
agreement, and (iii) seek the advice of the U.S. International Trade 
Commission (ITC) regarding the probable economic effects on U.S. 
industries and consumers of the removal of tariffs and non-tariff 
barriers on imports pursuant to any proposed agreement.
    On September 22, 2008 (for Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and Brunei 
Darussalam) and December 30, 2008 (for Australia, Peru and Vietnam), 
after consulting with relevant Congressional committees, the USTR 
notified the Congress that the President intends to initiate free trade 
agreement negotiations with these Trans-Pacific countries and 
identified specific objectives for the negotiations. In addition, the 
USTR is requesting that the ITC provide its advice on probable economic 
effects of the free trade agreement. This notice solicits views from 
the public on these negotiations and provides information on a hearing 
that will be conducted based on the requirements of the Trade Act of 
1974.

2. Public Comments and Testimony

    To assist the Administration as it continues to develop its 
negotiating objectives for the proposed agreements,

[[Page 4481]]

the Chairman of the TPSC invites the written comments and/or oral 
testimony of interested persons at a public hearing. Comments and 
testimony may address the reduction or elimination of tariffs or non-
tariff barriers on any articles provided for in the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) that are products of the 
participating Trans-Pacific countries, any concession that should be 
sought by the United States, or any other matter relevant to the 
proposed agreement. The TPSC invites comments and testimony on all of 
these matters and, in particular, seeks comments and testimony 
addressed to:
    (a) General and commodity-specific negotiating objectives for the 
proposed plurilateral agreement.
    (b) Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of 
removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers on articles traded with the 
seven Trans-Pacific countries.
    (c) Treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under 
the proposed agreement, including comments on:
    (1) Product-specific import or export interests or barriers,
    (2) Experience with particular measures that should be addressed in 
the negotiations, and
    (3) In the case of articles for which immediate elimination of 
tariffs is not appropriate, a recommended staging schedule for such 
elimination.
    (d) Adequacy of existing customs measures to ensure that imported 
goods originate from the seven Trans-Pacific countries, and appropriate 
rules of origin for goods entering the United States under the proposed 
agreement.
    (e) Existing sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical 
barriers to trade imposed by the seven Trans-Pacific countries that 
should be addressed in the negotiations.
    (f) Existing barriers to trade in services between the United 
States and the Trans-Pacific countries that should be addressed in the 
negotiations.
    (g) Relevant electronic commerce issues that should be addressed in 
the negotiations.
    (h) Relevant trade-related intellectual property rights issues that 
should be addressed in the negotiations.
    (i) Relevant investment issues that should be addressed in the 
negotiations.
    (j) Relevant competition-related matters that should be addressed 
in the negotiations.
    (k) Relevant government procurement issues that should be addressed 
in the negotiations.
    (l) Relevant environmental issues that should be addressed in the 
negotiations.
    (m) Relevant labor issues that should be addressed in the 
negotiations.
    Comments identifying as present or potential trade barriers laws or 
regulations that are not primarily trade-related should address the 
economic, political, and social objectives of such laws and regulations 
and the degree to which they discriminate against foreign producers. At 
a later date, the USTR, through the TPSC, will publish notice of 
reviews regarding (a) the possible environmental effects of the 
proposed agreement and the scope of the U.S. environmental review of 
the proposed agreement, and (b) the impact of the proposed agreement on 
U.S. employment and labor markets.
    A hearing will be held on March 4, 2009, in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F 
Street, NW., Washington, DC. Persons wishing to testify at the hearing 
must provide written notification of their intent to testify by 
February 25, 2009. The notification should include: (1) The name, 
address, and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony; 
and (2) a short (one or two paragraphs) summary of the presentation, 
including the subject matter and, as applicable, the product(s) (with 
HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other subjects (such as 
investment, intellectual property, and/or government procurement) to be 
discussed. A copy of the testimony must accompany the notification. 
Remarks at the hearing should be limited to no more than five minutes 
to allow for possible questions from the TPSC. Persons with mobility 
impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the 
hearing should contact the TPSC Executive Secretary.
    Interested persons, including persons who participate in the 
hearing, may submit written comments by noon, March 11, 2009. Written 
comments may include rebuttal points demonstrating errors of fact or 
analysis not pointed out in the hearing. All written comments must 
state clearly the position taken, describe with particularity the 
supporting rationale, and be in English. The first page of written 
comments must specify the subject matter, including, as applicable, the 
product(s) (with HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other subjects 
(such as investment, intellectual property and/or government 
procurement).

3. Requirements for Submissions

    Persons submitting an intent to testify and testimony and/or 
comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of 
the submission) the ``United States--Trans-Pacific Partnership Free 
Trade Agreement.'' Notice of intent to testify and testimony must be 
received by February 25, 2009. Written comments must be received by 
March 11, 2009.
    In order to ensure the most timely and expeditious receipt and 
consideration of testimony and/or comments, USTR has arranged to accept 
on-line submissions via www.regulations.gov. To submit testimony and 
comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2009-0002 on 
the home page and click ``go''. The site will provide a search-results 
page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a 
reference to this notice by selecting ``Notice'' under ``Document 
Type'' on the left side of the search-results page, and click on the 
link entitled ``Send a Comment or Submission.'' (For further 
information on using the https://www.regulations.gov/ Web site, please 
consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ``How to 
Use This Site'' on the left side of the home page.)
    The www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of making 
submissions by filling in a ``General Comments'' field, or by attaching 
a document. We expect that most submissions will be provided in an 
attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type 
``See attached'' in the ``General Comments'' field.
    Submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) are 
preferred. If an application other than those two is used, please 
identify in your submission the specific application used. For any 
comments submitted electronically containing business confidential 
information, the file name of the business confidential version should 
begin with the characters ``BC''. Any page containing business 
confidential information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS 
CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top of that page. Filers of submissions 
containing business confidential information must also submit a public 
version of their comments. The file name of the public version should 
begin with the character ``P''. The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be followed 
by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply 
comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business 
confidential information should name their file using the character 
``P'', followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the 
comments or reply comments. Electronic submissions should not contain 
separate cover letters; rather, information that might appear in a 
cover letter should be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to 
the extent possible, any attachments to a

[[Page 4482]]

submission should be included in the same file as the submission itself 
and not as separate files. All non-confidential comments and reply 
comments will be placed on the USTR Web site, https://www.USTR.gov 
pursuant to 15 CFR 2003.5.
    We strongly urge submitters to avail themselves of the electronic 
filing, if at all possible. If an on-line submission is impossible, 
alternative arrangements must be made with Ms. Blue prior to delivery 
for the receipt of such submissions. Ms. Blue should be contacted at 
(202) 395-3475. General information concerning the Office of the United 
States Trade Representative may be obtained by accessing its Internet 
Web site (https://www.ustr.gov).

Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. E9-1515 Filed 1-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W9-P

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