Department of Commerce August 23, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a public hearing to solicit comments on a Regulatory Amendment to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan to Set Commercial and Recreational Management Measures for Grouper.

The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) Scallop Oversight Committee will meet to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received two scientific research permit applications (1533 and 1548) relating to Pacific salmon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.

NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI.

NMFS is closing directed fishing for species in the rock sole/ flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead sole/ ``other flatfish'' fishery category in the BSAI.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, notice is hereby given that the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will meet Tuesday, September 13, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology is composed of fifteen members appointed by the Director of NIST; who are eminent in such fields as business, research, new product development, engineering, labor, education, management consulting, environment, and international relations. The purpose of this meeting is to review and make recommendations regarding general policy for the Institute, its organization, its budget, and its programs within the framework of applicable national policies as set forth by the President and the Congress. The agenda will include updates on NIST's activities and the U.S. Measurement System Initiative; presentations on Implementation of NIST Strategic Plan in Homeland Security, including an overview of the Department of Homeland Security's Agenda for Homeland Security and the NIST role; Response to VCAT Recommendations in the FY 2004 Annual Report; and two laboratory tours. Discussions on NIST budget and planning information scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and to end at 9:45 a.m. on September 13 will be closed. Agenda may change to accommodate Committee business. The final agenda will be posted on the NIST Web site. All visitors to the National Institute of Standards and Technology site will have to pre-register to be admitted. Please submit your name, time of arrival, e-mail address and phone number to Carolyn Peters no later than Thursday, September 8, and she will provide you with instructions for admittance. Mrs. Peter's e-mail address is carolyn.peters@nist.gov and her phone number is (301) 975- 5607.

The Department of Commerce, 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.