Department of Commerce December 20, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) advise interested parties of their intent to conduct public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to gather information to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to a permit application from the Port of Vancouver, Washington, for the incidental take of listed species. The permit application would be associated with the Port of Vancouver Columbia Gateway Site Habitat Conservation Plan adjacent to the Columbia River in Vancouver, WA.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Department), pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), has determined that revocation of the antidumping duty order on certain cased pencils (pencils) from the People's Republic of China (PRC) would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping. On December 6, 2005, the International Trade Commission (ITC), pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act, determined that revocation of the antidumping duty order on pencils from the PRC would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. Therefore, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.218(f)(4), the Department is publishing notice of the continuation of the antidumping duty order on pencils from the PRC.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has, in response to recent case law, revised its guidelines to be used by USPTO personnel in their review of patent applications to determine whether the claims in a patent application are directed to patent eligible subject matter. The USPTO is requesting comments from the public regarding these interim examination guidelines. Comment Deadline Date: To be ensured of consideration, written comments must be received on or before June 30, 2006. No public hearing will be held.