Department of Commerce January 5, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The State of Florida, along with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC), will hold a data workshop, the first in a series of three workshops, to evaluate the stock status of the spiny lobster.

On December 2, 2004, the proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2005 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was published in the Federal Register. NMFS is extending the comment period on this proposed LOF to March 4, 2005.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces that the following programs are soliciting applications for financial assistance for FY 2005: (1) The Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory Grants Program; (2) the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory Grants Program; (3) the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory Grants Program; (4) the Physics Laboratory Grants Program; (5) the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory Grants Program; (6) the Building Research Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program; and (7) the Fire Research Grants Program. Each program will only consider applications that are within the scientific scope of the program as described in this notice and in the detailed program descriptions found in the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement for these programs. Prior to preparation of a proposal, it is strongly suggested that potential applicants contact the Program Manager for the appropriate field of research, as specified in the FFO announcement found at https://www.grants.gov, for clarification of the program objective and to determine whether their proposal is responsive to this notice.

The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS or Sanctuary) is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (Council): Community At Large, Maritime Activities, Research, Education, Conservation. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the Sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 2-3 year terms, pursuant to the Council's Charter.

In accordance with section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA), OCRM is considering whether to approve Washington's proposed amendment to incorporate the revised WA SMP Guidelines Rule as an amendment to its federally approved WCZMP. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, OCRM will conduct scoping meetings as an opportunity for federal and state agencies, local governments and their citizenry, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, American Indian tribes, or any other interest persons to identify to OCRM what impacts or issues should be addressed in the Environment Impact Statement (EIS).

In a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2004, NOAA requested comments on proposed revisions to its Civil Procedures which govern the Agency's administrative proceedings for the assessment of civil penalties; suspension, revocation, modification, or denial of permits; issuance and use of written warnings; and release or forfeiture of seized property. The comment period for the proposed rule closed on December 13, 2004. Comments addressed various issues and included requests to extend the comment period. The intent of this document is to announce the reopening of the public comment period.