Department of Commerce September 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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, October 28, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, October 29, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 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 theme for the meeting is ``NIST's Roles in Innovation and NIST's Strategic Plan.'' The agenda will include an update on NIST, presentations on Safety at NIST, a review of NIST's roles in innovation, a review of NIST's external relationships, and an overview of NIST's Strategic Plan, followed by an update on the Biosciences Strategic Plan, the status of the Nanotechnology Strategic Plan, and a presentation on the NIST Facilities Strategic Plan. Guest speakers have been invited to address the benefits and potential benefits of selected NIST partnerships. Other agenda items include laboratory tours and a VCAT feedback session on draft recommendations for the 2008 Annual Report. The agenda may change to accommodate Committee business. The final agenda will be posted on the NIST Web site at https://www.nist.gov/ director/vcat/agenda.htm.

On June 14, 2002, the Bureau of Industry and Security (``BIS'') published a notice in the Federal Register that set forth a list of persons in foreign countries who were parties to past export transactions where pre-license checks (``PLC'') or post-shipment verifications (``PSV'') could not be conducted for reasons outside the control of the U.S. Government (``Unverified List''). Additionally, on July 16, 2004, BIS published a notice in the Federal Register that advised exporters that the Unverified List would also include persons in foreign countries in transactions where BIS is not able to verify the existence or authenticity of the end-user, intermediate consignee, ultimate consignee, or other party to the transaction. These notices advised exporters that the involvement of a listed person as a party to a proposed transaction constitutes a ``red flag'' as described in the guidance set forth in Supplement No. 3 to 15 CFR Part 732, requiring heightened scrutiny by the exporter before proceeding with such a transaction. The notices also stated that, when warranted, BIS would remove persons from the Unverified List. This notice removes one entity from the Unverified List based upon recently conducted PSVs or scheduled PSVs. The entity is: Fuchs Oil Middle East Ltd., P.O. Box 7955, Sharjah Airport Intl. Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

NMFS announces a meeting, via teleconference, of the General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in October 2008. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Eglin Air Force Base (EAFB) for the take of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (NEODS) training operations at EAFB, Florida.

This notice is to advise the public that the National Defense Stockpile Market Impact Committee, co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and State, is seeking public comments on the potential market impact of the proposed disposal levels of excess materials for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Annual Materials Plan.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463 as amended by Pub. L. 94-409, Pub. L. 96-523, Pub. L. 97-375 and Pub. L. 105-153), we are announcing a meeting of the Bureau of Economic Analysis Advisory Committee. The meeting will address ways in which the national economic accounts can be presented more effectively for current economic analysis and recent statistical developments in national accounting.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces its intent to issue an environmental assessment (EA) which analyzes the management options for the west-coast-based deep-set longline (DSLL) pelagic tuna fishery operating on the high seas. The preferred alternative is to allow for the continued operation and possible minor expansion of the west-coast- based DSLL pelagic tuna fishery operating on the high seas. Impacts to the human environment (e.g., effects of the proposed action on protected species, finfish, seabirds, and socioeconomics) were found to be insignificant for both alternatives being considered. In 2005 a single commercial vessel began participating in the DSLL fishery on the high seas; therefore, this EA will provide the needed analysis to manage the fishery based on the best available science to ensure that the fishery is consistent with all Federal statutes and management objectives.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations. The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues related to 2010 Decennial Census programs. The Committee also will discuss several economic initiatives, demographic program topics, as well as issues pertaining to 2010 communications. Last-minute changes to the agenda are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

This notice announces the next meeting of the National Technical Information Service Advisory Board (the Advisory Board), which advises the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) on policies and operations of the Service.

Notice is hereby given that the Estuarine Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce has approved the revised management plan for the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Padilla Bay Reserve was designated in 1980 pursuant to Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1461. The reserve has been operating under a management plan approved in 1980. Pursuant to 15 CFR Section 921.33(c), a state must revise their management plan every five years. The submission of this plan brings the reserve into compliance with this requirement and sets a course for successful implementation of the goals and objectives of the reserve. The mission of the Padilla Bay Reserve is to provide leadership to promote informed management of estuarine and coastal habitats through scientific understanding and encourage good stewardship practices through partnerships, public education, and outreach programs. The management plan establishes three goals consistent with the Reserve's mission. These goals are (1) protect and improve habitat and biological diversity within the boundary of the Reserve, (2) increase the use of the Reserve and its research program to address priority coastal management issues of Washington State and (3) to support informed decision-making and responsible stewardship of coastal communities and ecosystems. Organized in a framework of programmatic goals and objectives, the Padilla Bay Reserve's management plan identifies specific strategies or actions for research, education/interpretation, public access, construction, land acquisition, and resource protection, restoration, and manipulation. Overall, the plan seeks to accomplish the mission of the Reserve by facilitating scientific research, encouraging stewardship, and addressing the local education and outreach needs. Specifically, stewardship is encompassed under resource protection, habitat restoration, and resource conservation priorities. These priorities address reserve efforts to evaluate natural and anthropogenic processes that affect the reserve and its habitats, support for research and monitoring of important resources, restore and protect natural habitats and to actively educate the public to inform resource management. Research and monitoring activities support independent research projects within the reserve and its vicinity with resources and background data. Staff and visiting researchers conduct monitoring and research within the boundaries of the reserve and Padilla Bay watershed and use GIS to map critical habitats. Research and monitoring results are made available to others and are translated to public and private users through education, training and outreach programs. Education at the reserve targets a wide variety of audiences including students, teachers, adults, resource users and coastal decision-maker audiences. The reserve's comprehensive approach to education including a K-12 education program, outreach and a coastal training program are designed to increase knowledge of the target audiences about Pacific Northwest estuaries. Public access at the Padilla Bay Reserve includes trails, an observation deck and boat launches. Administration at the reserve includes supporting the staffing and budget necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of the plan. The administration of the Padilla Bay Reserve is a collective effort involving the Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE), other state or local agencies and organizations, a Reserve oversight and programmatic advisory committee for research, education, coastal training, and stewardship, and the Padilla Bay Foundation. An established administrative framework implements and coordinates Reserve programs under the plan.

We, NMFS, apply the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protective regulations for threatened West Coast salmon and steelhead to the distinct population segment (DPS) of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Puget Sound, Washington.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) received a request for initiation of a changed-circumstances review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel wire rods (wire rods) from India from India Steel Works Limited (India Steel). After reviewing this request, we preliminarily determine that India Steel is the successor-in- interest to Isibars Limited (Isibars) and should therefore be accorded the same treatment previously accorded to Isibars with respect to the antidumping duty order on wire rods from India. Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results.

On May 5, 2008, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published its preliminary determination in the investigation of sales at less than fair value of polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip (PET Film) from Thailand. See Notice of Preliminary Determination of Sales at Not Less Than Fair Value: Polyethylene Terephthalate Film, Sheet, and Strip from Thailand, 73 FR 24565 (May 5, 2008) (Preliminary Determination). The Department has determined that PET Film is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value, as provided in section 735 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). The final weighted-average dumping margin is listed below in the section entitled ``Final Determination of Investigation.''

On May 5, 2008, the Department of Commerce (``Department'') published its preliminary determination of sales at less than fair value (``LTFV'') in the antidumping investigation of polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip (``PET Film'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). The period of investigation (``POI'') is January 1, 2007, through June 30, 2007. We invited interested parties to comment on our preliminary determination of sales at LTFV. Based on our analysis of the comments we received, we have made changes to our calculation for the mandatory respondent. The final dumping margins for this investigation are listed in the ``Final Determination Margins'' section below.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) determines that imports of polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet and strip (PET film) from Brazil are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value, as provided in section 735 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). The final dumping margins are listed below in the section entitled ``Final Determination of Investigation.''

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)).

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.

NMFS issues a final rule to amend the subsistence fishery rules for Pacific halibut in waters in and off Alaska. These regulations are necessary to address subsistence halibut management concerns, particularly in densely populated areas. This action is intended to support the conservation and management provisions of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982.