Department of Commerce January 15, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to add an entity to the list of validated 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). Specifically, this rule amends the EAR to add one additional validated end-user and identifies eligible items for export and reexport and transfer (in- country) to one facility 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.

NMFS has received an application from the U.S. Department of the Air Force, Headquarters 96\th\ Air Base Wing (U.S. Air Force), Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin AFB) for authorization to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (NEODS) training operations, military readiness activities, at Eglin AFB, FL from approximately October, 2010, to October, 2015. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the U.S. Air Force's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the U.S. Air Force's application and request. NMFS issued annual Incidental Harassment Authorizations pursuant to the MMPA, for similar specified activities in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. No activities have occurred to date.

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 31 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would implement restrictions applicable to the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The proposed restrictions would include a bottom longline endorsement requirement, a seasonal closed area, and a limitation on the number of hooks that could be possessed and fished. The intent of the proposed rule is to balance the continued operation of the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery in the eastern Gulf while maintaining adequate protective measures for sea turtles.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Implementation Team will have a teleconference on February 4, 2010. The conference number to call is (907) 271-2896.

The Joint Canada-U.S. Review Panel (Panel) for Pacific hake/ whiting will hold a work session that is open to the public.

The Secretary of Commerce is directed by Section 1866 of the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (TGAAA), which became effective May 17, 2009, to submit to Congress a report on the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program by the 15th of December each year. The TAAF Program is one of four Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs authorized by the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act). The mission of the TAAF Program is to provide technical and financial assistance to U.S. firms affected by import competition. The program provides assistance in the development of business recovery plans, which are known as Adjustment Proposals under Section 252 of the Trade Act, and matching funds to implement projects outlined in the Adjustment Proposals. The TAAF Program supports a national network of 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs) to help U.S. firms apply for assistance and prepare and implement strategies to guide their economic recovery.