Department of Commerce April 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 201 - 242 of 242
Certain Tissue Paper Products from the People's Republic of China: Notice of Initiation of Anti-circumvention Inquiry
In response to a request from Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc. (the petitioner), the Department of Commerce (the Department) is initiating an anti-circumvention inquiry to determine whether certain imports of tissue paper from Vietnam are circumventing the antidumping duty order on certain tissue paper products (tissue paper) from the People's Republic of China (PRC). See Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Tissue Paper Products from the People's Republic of China, 70 FR 16223 (March 30, 2005) (Tissue Paper Order).
Pressure Sensitive Plastic Tape from Italy: Notice of Continuation of Antidumping Duty Finding
As a result of the determinations by the Department of Commerce (the Department) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) that revocation of the antidumping duty finding on pressure sensitive plastic tape (PSP Tape) from Italy would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time, the Department is publishing notice of the continuation of this antidumping duty finding.
Issuance of Electronic Documents and Related Recordkeeping Requirements
This rule enables BIS to eliminate the paper versions of most export and reexport licenses, notices of denial of license applications, notices of return of a license application without action, notices of results of classification requests, License Exception AGR notification results, and encryption review request results. This rule also changes certain recordkeeping requirements associated with the elimination of paper documents. BIS is making these changes to reduce mailing costs and to free up staff time currently devoted to mailing these documents for use in other tasks.
Pacific Halibut Fishery; Guideline Harvest Levels for the Charter Vessel Fishery for Pacific Halibut in International Pacific Halibut Commission Areas 2C and 3A
NMFS provides notice of the 2010 Pacific halibut guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for the charter vessel fishery in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory areas (Area) 2C and 3A. This notice is necessary to meet the regulatory requirement to publish notice announcing the GHLs and to inform the public about the 2010 GHLs for the charter vessel fishery for halibut. The GHLs are benchmark harvest levels for participants in the charter vessel fishery. The 2010 GHLs remain the same as the 2009 GHLs; the Area 2C GHL is 788,000 lb (357.4 mt), and the Area 3A GHL is 3,650,000 lb (1,655.6 mt).
Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Hawaii Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fisheries; Fishery Closure
NMFS is closing the commercial and non-commercial fisheries in the Main Hawaiian Islands fishery for seven deepwater bottomfish species (``Deep 7'' bottomfish) as a result of reaching the total allowable catch (TAC) for the 2009-10 fishing year.
Request for Comments on Proposed Change To Missing Parts Practice
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in response to a number of requests to reduce the costs due one year after filing a provisional application, is considering a change that would effectively provide a 12-month extension to the 12-month provisional application period (creating a net 24-month period). This change would be implemented through the missing parts practice in nonprovisional applications. Currently the missing parts practice permits an applicant on payment of a surcharge to pay the up-front filing fees and submit an executed oath or declaration after the filing of a nonprovisional application within a two-month time period set by the USPTO that is extendable on payment of extension of time fees for an additional five months. Under the proposal, applicants would be permitted to file a nonprovisional application with at least one claim within the 12-month statutory period after the provisional application was filed, pay the basic filing fee, and submit an executed oath or declaration. In addition, the nonprovisional application would need to be in condition for publication and applicant would not be able to file a nonpublication request. Applicants would be given a 12-month period to decide whether the nonprovisional application should be completed by paying the required surcharge and the search, examination and any excess claim fees due within that 12-month period. The proposal would benefit applicants by permitting additional time to determine if patent protection should be sought at a relatively low cost and by permitting applicants to focus efforts on commercialization during this period. The proposal would benefit the USPTO and the public by adding publications to the body of prior art, and by removing from the USPTO's workload those nonprovisional applications for which the applicants have decided not to pursue examination. Importantly, the extended missing parts period would not affect the 12-month priority period provided by the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and, thus, any foreign filings would still need to be made within 12 months of the filing date of the provisional application if applicant wishes to rely on the provisional application in the foreign- filed application.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Notice of 90-Day Finding on a Petition to List the Bumphead Parrotfish as Threatened or Endangered and Designate Critical Habitat Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
We (NMFS) announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) as threatened or endangered and designate critical habitat under the ESA. We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, we initiate a status review of the bumphead parrotfish to determine if listing under the ESA is warranted. To ensure this status review is comprehensive, we solicit scientific and commercial information regarding this species.
Final Voluntary Product Standard; DOC PS 20-10 “American Softwood Lumber Standard”
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces voluntary product standard DOC PS 20-10 ``American Softwood Lumber Standard'' which will supersede DOC PS 20-05. The Standard establishes standard sizes and requirements for developing and coordinating the lumber grades of the various species of softwood lumber, the assignment of design values, and the preparation of grading rules applicable to each species. Its provisions include implementation of the Standard through an accreditation and certification program; establishment of principal trade classifications and lumber sizes for yard, structural, factory/shop use: Classification, measurement, grading and grade-marking of lumber; Definitions of terms and procedures to provide a basis for the use of uniform methods in the grading, inspection, measurement and description of softwood lumber; commercial names of the principal softwood species: Definitions of terms used in describing standard grades in lumber; and commonly used industry abbreviations. The Standard also includes the organization and functions of the American Lumber Standard Committee, the Board of Review, and the National Grading Rule Committee.
Endangered and Threatened Species; 90-Day Finding on a Petition to Delist Coho Salmon South of San Francisco Bay
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), are accepting a 2003 petition to delist coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in coastal counties south of the ocean entrance to San Francisco Bay, California, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. Coho salmon populations in this region are currently listed under the ESA as part of the Central California Coast (CCC) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). This action is being taken in response to a February 8, 2010, U.S. District Court decision that our previous rejection of the petition in 2006 was arbitrary and capricious. To ensure a comprehensive review, we are soliciting scientific and commercial data and other information relevant to the status of coho salmon in the coastal counties south of San Francisco Bay. We will publish the results of that review and will make a finding as to whether the petitioned action is or is not warranted on or before February 8, 2011.
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Rule to Revise Marine Mammal Special Exception Permit Requirements
On March 10, 2010, NMFS announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of a proposed rule to revise federal regulations implementing the Section 104 permit provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) with written comments due by May 10, 2010. NMFS has decided to allow additional time for submission of public comments on this action.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
Notice is hereby given that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has submitted a Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan (FMEP) pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Snake River steelhead, Snake River spring/summer Chinook, and Snake River fall Chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The FMEP specifies the future management of freshwater inland recreational fisheries potentially affecting basin steelhead and Chinook salmon in portions of the Snake River basin within the State of Washington. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the FMEP and associated draft environmental assessment (EA) for comment prior to a decision by NMFS whether to approve the proposed fisheries. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to the ESA.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Proposed 2010 Specifications for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery
NMFS proposes specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery for the 2010 fishing year (FY) (May 1, 2010, through April 30, 2011). The implementing regulations for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) require NMFS to publish specifications for up to a period of 5 years and to provide an opportunity for public comment. This specification setting will apply to FY 2010 only. The intent of this rulemaking is to specify the commercial quota and other management measures, and to rebuild the spiny dogfish resource. NMFS proposes that the annual quota be set at 12 million lb (5,443.11 mt), and that the possession limit for dogfish remain set at 3,000 lb (1.36 mt). These proposed specifications and management measures are consistent with the FMP and promote the utilization and conservation of the spiny dogfish resource.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Conducting Precision Strike Weapons Testing and Training by Eglin Air Force Base in the Gulf of Mexico
In accordance with provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that a letter of authorization (LOA) to take four species of marine mammals incidental to testing and training during Precision Strike Weapons (PSW) tests in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), a military readiness activity, has been issued to Eglin Air Force Base (AFB).
EDA Participation in the Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative
EDA announces its participation in the Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative (Initiative), the first pilot project of the Interagency Regional Innovation Clusters Taskforce (Taskforce). The Taskforce has been charged with developing a replicable and sustainable model for coordinated Federal and regional efforts that foster and use regional innovation clusters to: Develop and demonstrate sustainable and efficient models for attaining national strategic objectives; create and retain Good Jobs (defined below); eliminate gaps between the supply and demand for workers in specialized fields through training and education; increase regional gross domestic product (GDP); promote innovation in science and technology; and enhance the economic, technological, and commercial competitiveness of the United States on the global stage. The Taskforce has selected Energy Efficient Building Systems Design as the topical focus for its first pilot project. The pilot project will be anchored around a Department of Energy (DOE)-funded Energy Innovation Hub and will incorporate elements funded by each of EDA, SBA, and NIST/MEP. Capitalized terms used in this notice and request for applications have the meanings ascribed to them under the heading SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Questionnaire Pretesting Research
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)).
Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee; Public Meeting
Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (Committee) in Charleston, South Carolina.
Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves
The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Louisiana Coastal Management Program and the Great Bay (New Hampshire) National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation will be conducted pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA) and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, subpart L. The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of states with respect to coastal program implementation. Evaluation of a Coastal Management Program requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has met the national objectives, adhered to its Coastal Management Program document approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA.
Federal Geospatial Summit To Provide Information on Upcoming Improvements To the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), Including the Replacement of the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88)
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) will host a Federal Geospatial Summit to discuss the impact updating the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) will have on federal government agencies by replacing the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88), and other state and territorial island vertical datums. The proposed changes will affect the surveying, mapping, charting, and Geographic Information System (GIS) programs of federal government agencies, as well as those tribal, state, county, and municipal governments that have adopted the NSRS.
Certain Welded Carbon Steel Standard Pipe From Turkey: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review
The Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an administrative review of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on certain welded carbon steel standard pipe from Turkey for the period January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008. We preliminarily find that the net subsidy rate for each company under review is de minimis. See the ``Preliminary Results of Review'' section of this notice, infra. Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results. (See the ``Public Comment'' section, infra.)
Request for Nominations for Members to Serve on the National Technical Information Service Advisory Board
The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is seeking five (5) qualified candidates to serve as members of its Advisory Board, one of whom will also be designated as chairperson. The Board will meet at least semiannually to advise the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of NTIS on NTIS's mission, plans, general policies and fee structure. NTIS is seeking candidates who can provide guidance on trends in the information industry as the result of technological change and on how NTIS can best adapt to these changes in meeting the needs of its customers.
Initiation of Five-Year (“Sunset”) Review
In accordance with section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (``the Act''), the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is automatically initiating a five-year review (``Sunset Review'') of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders listed below. The International Trade Commission (``the Commission'') is publishing concurrently with this notice its notice of Institution of Five-Year Review which covers the same orders.
Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
The Department of Commerce (the ``Department'') has determined that polyethylene retail carrier bags (``PRCBs'') from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (``Vietnam'') are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (``LTFV''), as provided in section 735 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the ``Act''). The final dumping margins for this investigation are listed in the Final Determination Margins section of this notice.
Freshwater Crawfish Tail Meat From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Decision of the Court of International Trade Not in Harmony
On February 9, 2010, the Court of International Trade (CIT or Court) sustained the final results of redetermination made by the Department of Commerce (the Department) regarding the 2005-2006 administrative review of the antidumping duty order on freshwater crawfish tail meat from the People's Republic of China (PRC). See Washington International Insurance Company v. United States, Court No. 08-00156, Slip Op. 10-16 (February 9, 2010) (Wash. Int'l Ins. Co. II). Pursuant to the Court's remand order, in its redetermination the Department continued to apply to Xuzhou Jinjiang Foodstuffs Co., Ltd. (Xuzhou) a total adverse facts available (AFA) rate, but changed this rate from the 223.01 percent applied in the contested administrative review to 188.52 percent. Consistent with the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) in Timken Co. v. United States, 893 F.2d 337 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (Timken), the Department is publishing this notice of the CIT's decision which is not in harmony with the Department's final results in the 2005-2006 antidumping duty administrative review of freshwater crawfish tail meat from the PRC.
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From India: Initiation of Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review
The Department of Commerce (the Department) has received information sufficient to warrant the initiation of a changed circumstances review of the antidumping duty order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from India. Specifically, based on a request filed by Srikanth International, the Department is initiating a changed circumstances review to determine whether Srikanth International is the successor-in-interest to NGR Aqua International (NGR).
Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
The Department of Commerce (Department) has determined that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of polyethylene retail carrier bags (PRCBs) from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam). For information on the estimated countervailing duty rates, please see the ``Suspension of Liquidation'' section, below.
U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board: Meeting of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board
The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board) will hold a meeting to discuss topics related to the travel and tourism industry. To provide additional information regarding a Federal Register notice published March 24, 2010, Volume 75, Number 56, regarding the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (``Board'') intent to hold a meeting on April 8, 2010. The meeting has been rescheduled, please see below.
Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags From Indonesia: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
The Department of Commerce (the Department) has determined that imports of polyethylene retail carrier bags (PRCBs) from Indonesia are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LFTV) as provided in section 735 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). The estimated margins of sales at LTFV are listed in the ``Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation'' section of this notice.
Endangered Species; File Nos. 15112 and 13307-02
Notice is hereby given that NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, has applied in due form for a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), green (Chelonia mydas), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. Kristen Hart, Ph.D., USGS, Davie, FL has applied for a modification to scientific research Permit No. 13307-01 to take green sea turtles.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the 2010 Pacific cod allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Census Coverage Measurement Final Housing Unit Followup and Final Housing Unit Followup Quality Control Operations
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)).
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