Department of Commerce November 9, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In 2006, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued regulations requiring the use of chain mat modified dredges in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery south of 41[deg] 9.0' North latitude from May 1 through November 30 each year. The existing requirements resulted from two final rules: one issued in August 2006 after prior public notice and opportunity for comment (August 25, 2006); and an emergency rule issued in November 2006 for which prior notice and opportunity for comment was waived for good cause (November 15, 2006). These actions were necessary to help reduce mortality and injury to endangered and threatened sea turtles captured in scallop dredge gear and to conserve sea turtles listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This action re-proposes the chain mat requirements, with some modifications. This proposed action would clarify the regulatory text regarding the chain-mat modified gear, add a transiting provision, and address a procedural error regarding the timing of the signing of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document during the issuance of the August 2006 final rule. Any incidental take of threatened sea turtles in sea scallop dredge gear in compliance with the gear modification requirements and all other applicable requirements will be exempted from the ESA prohibition against takes.

NMFS issues a final rule to correct regulations implementing essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions for Alaska fisheries. This final rule clarifies that portions of EFH management areas in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands are located in State of Alaska (State) waters. This rule also applies EFH vessel monitoring system (VMS) and closure requirements to federally permitted vessels operating in State waters adjacent to the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Aleutian Islands subarea. This action is necessary to ensure that federally permitted vessels operating in State waters comply with EFH protection measures.

On July 5, 2007, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain cut-to-length carbon steel plate (``cut-to-length plate'') from Romania. The review covers Mittal Steel Galati, S.A. (``MS Galati'') a Romanian producer/exporter of the subject merchandise. This administrative review also covers Metalexportimport SA (``MEI''), an unaffiliated exporter that was not involved with any of the U.S. sales during the period of review and for which the Department is rescinding this review. The period of review is August 1, 2005, through December 14, 2005.\1\

The deadline for U.S. accredited colleges and universities to sponsor the U.S. Electronic Education Fairs for China and India by purchasing space on the corresponding Internet landing pages has been extended to November 16, 2007.