Department of Commerce April 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). The proposed measures include a plan to rebuild the scup stock from an overfished condition to the level associated with maximum sustainable yield, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This action also proposes to allow the regulations concerning the Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs) to be modified through framework adjustments to the FMP. The intended effect of this change would improve the timing of developing and implementing modifications to the GRAs.

Three Groundfish Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panels will hold work sessions which are open to the public. The first STAR Panel will review new assessments for sablefish and longnose skate. The second STAR Panel will review new assessments for black rockfish and blue rockfish. The third STAR Panel will review new assessments for bocaccio and chilipepper rockfish.

NOAA publishes this notice to change the funding amounts, year of funds, the approximate range of awards that will be made, and the earliest start dates of awards for the solicitation ``FR 2007 Regional Integrated Ocean Observing System Development,'' which was originally announced in the Federal Register on December 27, 2006. This notice applies to only those applicants who have already submitted letters of intent and who have been invited to submit full proposals.

NMFS issues this final rule to implement measures to modify the existing reporting and recordkeeping requirements for federally permitted seafood dealers/processors, and the observer requirements for participating hagfish vessels. The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) requested that this information collection program be developed to gather additional information on the unique aspects of the hagfish fishery and its interaction with other federally managed fisheries. The information collected from fishery participants (dealers/processors and vessels) will help the Council potentially develop a Hagfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

In response to a request from Conduit S.A. de C.V. (Conduit), a Mexican producer of certain circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube (pipe and tube), the Department of Commerce (the Department) initiated a new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on pipe and tube from Mexico. The period of review covers November 1, 2005, through April 30, 2006. Based on our findings at verification, the Department preliminarily determines that the merchandise Conduit sold and entered into the United States was not subject merchandise. Because the respondent has consequently made no sales or shipments of the subject merchandise to the United States during the period of review, we preliminarily intend to rescind this new shipper review.

We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review of the Cook Inlet population of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Based on the findings from the status review and consideration of the factors affecting this species, we have concluded the Cook Inlet beluga whale constitutes a distinct population segment (DPS) that is in danger of extinction throughout its range. Accordingly, we are now issuing a proposed rule to list the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS as an endangered species. We are soliciting information on issues relevant to the listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS under the ESA. Although we are not proposing to designate critical habitat at this time, we are also soliciting information on essential physical and biological features of Cook Inlet beluga whale habitat.

This notice announces the commencement of Phase 2 of the 2010 Census Redistricting Data Program: The Voting District/Block Boundary Suggestion Project. This second phase specifically provides States the opportunity to submit their voting districts (election precincts, wards, etc.) to the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) for the development of data products by voting district in the Phase 3 release of the 2010 Census Redistricting Data. In addition to providing the Census Bureau with their voting districts, States may opt to provide the Census Bureau with their suggestions for the 2010 Census tabulation block inventory. States may choose to participate in one or both options during Phase 2. Participation in Phase 2 is voluntary.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 14 to the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP) to identify and describe essential fish habitat (EFH) for Pacific salmon. The intent of this proposed rule is to codify the EFH identifications and descriptions for freshwater and marine habitats of Pacific salmon managed under the Salmon FMP, including Chinook, coho, and pink salmon. This proposed rule complies with an order issued by the U.S. District Court of Idaho directing NMFS to codify the EFH identifications and descriptions contained in the Salmon FMP. This proposed EFH rule is separate and distinct from the December 2004 proposed critical habitat rules in which NMFS proposed critical habitat for seven groupings of Chinook and coho salmon listed as threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Where EFH and critical habitat overlap, NMFS will generally merge the results of both consultations into one response package to maximize regulatory efficiencies whenever possible.

NMFS announces the date, time, and location for the small coastal shark (SCS) Assessment Workshop, the second of three stock evaluation workshops for the SCS stock assessment to be conducted in 2007. Any potential changes to existing management measures for SCS will be based, in large part, on the results of this 2007 stock assessment. The workshop is open to the public.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) advisory bodies will hold meetings, which are open to the public, on May 8-10, 2007. The primary purpose of the meetings is to review the current Pacific mackerel stock assessment and develop harvest guideline and seasonal structure recommendations for the 2007-08 Pacific mackerel fishery.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a meeting of its Ecosystem Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) in St. Petersburg, FL.

Export Trading Company Affairs (``ETCA'') of the International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce, has received an application to amend an Export Trade Certificate of Review (``Certificate''). This notice summarizes the proposed amendment and requests comments relevant to whether the Certificate should be issued.

NMFS issues a proposed rule to amend vessel identification regulations of the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP). The current regulatory text requires all commercial fishing vessels and recreational charter vessels to display their official numbers on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck (horizontal or flat surface) so as to be visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. The proposed rule would amend the regulatory text to provide an exemption to HMS recreational charter vessels in complying with the vessel identification requirements. The regulation is necessary to clarify that vessel identification requirements apply to HMS commercial fishing vessels and not to HMS recreational charter vessels.

Notice is hereby given that James T. Harvey, Ph.D., Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi).

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and NMFS will hold a Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel meeting to review assessment methods for Pacific mackerel.

The Manufacturing Council will hold a meeting via teleconference to deliberate a draft recommendation to the Secretary of Commerce regarding Alternative Energy.

Notice is hereby given that NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology (Principal Investigator: Dr. Brandon Southall), Silver Spring, MD, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct scientific research on marine mammals.

This final rule allows participants in U.S. domestic pelagics, crustaceans, bottomfish and seamount groundfish, precious corals, and coral reef ecosystems fisheries of the western Pacific region the optional use of NMFS-approved electronic logbook forms in lieu of paper logbooks. This action is intended to enhance the efficiency of fish catch and effort data reporting and recordkeeping by fishermen, reduce human error, and improve data accuracy.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) invites interested parties to attend a meeting pertaining to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) Test Materials for the United States Government. NIST will host a meeting open to the public on May 4th, 2007, in Lecture Room B of building 101 at 9 am to discuss establishing a framework for a sound and viable testing methodology for Internet Protocol version 6. The discussion will include: USG requirements for testing, attributes of potential administrative frameworks for test programs, potential sources of test suites to serve as a technical basis for a testing program, and potential test providers who could carry out and/or provide services in support of such programs.

The International Code Council (ICC), under whose auspices the International Codes (``I-Codes'') are developed, maintains a process for updating these model codes based on receipt of proposals from interested individuals and organizations. The ICC's 14 separately published codes are each comprehensively updated and re-published every three years with a supplement released between each edition. The most current versions of the I-Codes are the 2006 editions. The 2007 supplement to the 2006 editions, the subject of this notice, will be released in July of 2007. The purpose of this notice is to invite public participation in the Final Action Hearings of the present code development cycle that concludes in the publication of the 2007 supplement to the 2006 edition. Consistent with the procedures of the Governmental Consensus Process, following committee action taken at the Code Development Hearings held in September 2006, the ICC published the result of the hearings and invited and received public comment. At the Final Action Hearings contested proposals will again be publicly debated followed by membership action to approve or reject each scheduled item. The publication of this notice by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on behalf of ICC is being undertaken as a public service. NIST does not necessarily endorse, approve, or recommend any of the codes or standards referenced in the notice. Session Dates: The Final Action Hearings of the 2006/2007 Code Development Cycle will occur between May 21 and May 26, 2007, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, New York. The agenda for the hearing as well as updates to the schedule are also posted on the ICC Web site at: https://www.iccsafe.org.

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.

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).