Department of Commerce April 29, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, NMFS, initiate a status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the Oregon Coast coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) evolutionarily significant unit (ESU). To ensure that the status review is complete and based upon the best available scientific and commercial information, we solicit information regarding the population structure, status and trends, and limiting factors and threats of this coho salmon ESU.

In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to add a name to the list of end-users for the People's Republic of China (PRC) approved to receive exports, reexports and transfers of certain items under Authorization Validated End-User (VEU). This rule also amends the EAR to add and revise eligible items and destinations for existing VEU authorizations. Specifically, this rule amends the EAR to authorize one additional VEU and identify its respective eligible items for export and reexport to the PRC. This rule also amends the authorizations of two pre-existing VEUs in the PRC. Finally, this rule makes a modification to the listed name of an existing VEU in the PRC. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2007, BIS revised and clarified U.S. export control policy for the PRC, establishing Authorization VEU and identifying the PRC as the initial eligible destination. In a final rule published in the Federal Register on October 19, 2007, BIS published the names of the first five validated end-users in the PRC that were approved to receive certain specified items under Authorization VEU.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is extending the time limit for the final results of the changed circumstances review of the antidumping duty order on certain hot- rolled carbon steel flat products (``hot-rolled steel'') from Thailand. The period of review is July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007. This extension is made pursuant to 19 CFR 351.216(e) and 19 CFR 351.302(b).

As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS has incorporated public comments into revisions of marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs). These reports for 2008 are now final and available to the public.

On March 31, 2009, the Department of Commerce (the Department) issued a determination regarding the dumping margin calculation in the less-than-fair-value investigation of stainless steel sheet and strip in coils (stainless steel) from Mexico challenged by Mexico before the World Trade Organization (WTO). On April 23, 2009, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) instructed the Department to implement in whole this determination under section 129 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). The Department is now implementing this determination.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is proposing to amend the Reporting of Offsets Agreements in Sales of Weapon Systems or Defense-Related Items to Foreign Countries or Foreign Firms regulation (15 CFR part 701) to update and provide clarification with regard to the information U.S. companies are required to submit each year to BIS to support the preparation of the annual report to Congress on offsets in defense trade.