Department of Commerce July 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that the Center for Coastal Studies, P.O. Box 1036, Provincetown, MA 02657 [Principal Investigator: Julie Robbins] has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject exempted fishing permit (EFP) application contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Assistant Regional Administrator proposes to recommend that an EFP be issued that would allow one commercial fishing vessel to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP, which would enable researchers to investigate the efficacy of a 4-seam bottom trawl to improve escapement of small cod and haddock, would allow for exemptions from the FMP as follows: Gulf of Maine (GOM) Regulated Mesh Area minimum mesh size and gear restrictions, and two NE multispecies days-at-sea (DAS) out of a total of 12 days of gear testing. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pelagic shelf rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pelagic shelf rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

NMFS is reopening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to utilize the remaining amount of the 2006 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery category in the BSAI.

The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) invites applications for the establishment of a Great Lakes (GL) Cooperative Institute (CI). The Great Lakes are one of the Nation's most important aquatic resources from an economic, geographic, international, ecological, and societal perspective. U.S. support for Great Lakes activities is described in Executive Order 13340. Activities associated with the proposed Cooperative Institute will provide the necessary capabilities to complement NOAA's current and planned activities in the region in support of the 5-year Research Plan and the 20-year Research Vision. The CI will be regional in scope and will consist of a group of research institutions with expertise and capabilities in the NOAA priority areas. This institute will facilitate a long-term collaborative environment between NOAA and the recipients within which broad-based research, prototype development, and education and outreach capabilities that focus on the priorities in the Great Lakes region can be developed and sustained.

Notice is hereby given that Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), NMFS, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), hawsbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

On January 12, 2006, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products (HRS) from India. See Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From India: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 71 FR 2018 (January 12, 2006) (Preliminary Results). This review covers one producer/exporter of HRS, Essar Steel Ltd. (Essar). The period of review (POR) is December 1, 2003, through November 30, 2004. Based on our analysis of the comments received, we made changes to the preliminary dumping margin calculation. Despite these changes, the calculated dumping margin for these final results does not differ from the dumping margin determined in the Preliminary Results. The final weighted-average dumping margin for the reviewed firm is listed below in the section entitled ``Final Results of Review.''

On May 4, 2006, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') published the preliminary results of new shipper reviews of the antidumping duty order on fresh garlic from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). See Fresh Garlic from the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of 2004-2005 Semi-Annual New Shipper Reviews, 71 FR 26322 (May 4, 2006) (``Preliminary Results''). The merchandise covered by this order is fresh garlic as described in the ``Scope of the Order'' section of this notice. The period of review (``POR'') is November 1, 2004, through April 30, 2005. We invited parties to comment on our Preliminary Results. We received no comments, and no new evidence was placed on the record to cause us to question that determination. Therefore, the final results are unchanged from those presented in the Preliminary Results. The final dumping margins for these reviews are listed in the ``Final Results of the Reviews'' section below.

On March 10, 2005, the Department of Commerce (the ``Department'') published in the Federal Register the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain preserved mushrooms from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). See Certain Preserved Mushrooms from the People's Republic of China: Partial Rescission and Preliminary Results of the Sixth Administrative Review, 70 FR 11183 (March 6, 2006) (``Preliminary Results''). We provided interested parties an opportunity to comment on the Preliminary Results. Based upon our analysis of the comments and information received, we made changes to certain surrogate value calculation which affect the dumping margin calculation for Raoping Yucun Canned Foods Factory (``Raoping Yucun'') in these final results. We find that certain manufacturers/exporters sold subject merchandise at less than normal value during the period of review (``POR'').

Notice is hereby given of meetings of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). This will be the second of two meetings held in fiscal year 2006 to review and advise NOAA on management policies for living marine resources. Agenda topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. All full Committee sessions will be open to the public.

The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) was established by the Secretary of Commerce to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on matters related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, its amendments, and such other appropriate matters that the Under Secretary refers to the Panel for review and advice. Date and Time: The meeting will be held Monday, August 14, 2006, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday, August 15, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Location: The Hotel Captain Cook, 4th and K Streets, Anchorage, Alaska 99501; Telephone: 907-276-6000 or 800-843-1950. The times and agenda topics are subject to change. Refer to the HSRP Web site listed below for the most current meeting agenda.

The President's Export Council (PEC) will hold a full Council meeting to discuss topics related to export expansion. The meeting will include discussion of trade priorities and initiatives, PEC subcommittee activity, and proposed letters of recommendation to the President. The PEC was established on December 20, 1973, and reconstituted May 4, 1979, to advise the President on matters relating to U.S. trade. It was most recently renewed by Executive Order 13316. Date: July 19, 2006. Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT). Location: U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4832, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Because of building security, all non-government attendees must pre-register. Please RSVP to the PEC Executive Secretariat no later than July 18, 2006, to J. Marc Chittum, President's Export Council, Room 4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, telephone (202) 482-1124, or e-mail Marc.Chittum@mail.doc.gov. This program will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Seating is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Requests for sign language interpretation, other auxiliary aids, or pre-registration, should be submitted no later than July 18, 2006, to J. Marc Chittum, President's Export Council, Room 4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, telephone (202) 482-1124, or e-mail Marc.Chittum@mail.doc.gov.

The SEDAR assessment of the Gulf of Mexico stock of red grouper will be developed through a series of three workshops: a Data Workshop, an Assessment Workshop, and a Review Workshop. This is the twelfth SEDAR. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 21 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (FMP). This action makes changes to the arbitration system in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Crab Rationalization Program (Program) by modifying the timing for harvesters and processors to match harvesting and processing shares and the timing for initiating arbitration proceedings to resolve price and other delivery disputes. This action is necessary to increase resource conservation and economic efficiency in the crab fisheries that are subject to the Program. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the FMP, and other applicable law.

After initiating a review of the antidumping duty order on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India covering the period December 1, 2004, through November 30, 2005, the sole respondent, Essar Steel Ltd., claimed it did not ship subject merchandise to the United States during the period of review (POR). Based on record evidence consistent with this claim, the Department of Commerce intends to rescind the instant administrative review.

This document provides notice of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) approved by NOAA for use by vessels issued permits to operate in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument and sets forth relevant features of the VMS.

NMFS announces that the 577 allowed trips for general category scallop vessels into the Nantucket Lightship Scallop Access Area (NLCA) are projected to be taken by 0001 hr local time, July 13, 2006. The area will be closed to general category vessels until it reopens on June 15, 2007. This action is being taken to prevent the allocation of general category trips in the NLCA from being exceeded during the 2006 fishing year in accordance with the regulations implemented under Framework 18 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application of science to operations and information services. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support to resource management.