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

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) periodically review existing regulations that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, such as small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. This plan describes how NMFS will perform this review and describes the regulations that are being proposed for review during the current review-cycle.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, on behalf of the interagency Estuary Habitat Restoration Council, is soliciting comments on the draft revision of the ``Estuary Habitat Restoration Strategy.''

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is seeking public comments on the impact that implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), through the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act (CWCIA) and the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations (CWCR), has had on commercial activities involving ``Schedule 1'' chemicals during calendar year 2010. BIS reminds the public that the CWC, CWCIA, or CWCR have potential impacts on commercial activities whenever Schedule 1 chemicals (e.g., nitrogen mustards) are intermediates in the synthesis of other chemicals, not just when the Schedule 1 chemicals are end products. The purpose of this notice of inquiry is to collect information to assist BIS in its preparation of the annual certification to the Congress, which is required under Condition 9 of Senate Resolution 75, April 24, 1997, in which the Senate gave its advice and consent to the ratification of the CWC.

On June 14, 2010, the Department of Commerce published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain welded carbon steel standard pipes and tubes from India. The period of review is May 1, 2008, through April 30, 2009. We gave interested parties an opportunity to comment on the preliminary results. The review covers nine manufacturer/exporters. Based on our analysis of the comments received, we have made certain changes for the final results. The final weighted-average dumping margins for the respondents are listed below in the ``Final Results of the Review'' section of this notice.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2010 Pacific ocean perch total allowable catch specified for vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Western Aleutian District of the BSAI.

On October 1, 2010, the Department of Commerce (``Department'') initiated the sunset review of the antidumping duty order on non-frozen apple juice concentrate from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). Because the domestic interested parties did not participate in this sunset review, the Department is revoking this antidumping duty order.

NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fisheries. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2010 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the BSAI.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes changes to rules governing practice before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (Board or BPAI) in ex parte patent appeals. After considering public comments raised in response to an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which proposed potential modifications to the stayed final rule, the Office is proposing to rescind the stayed final rule and is issuing this notice seeking public comment on proposed new revisions to the current rule. The goal of this proposed rulemaking is to simplify the appellate process in a manner that effects an overall lessening of the burden on appellants and examiners to present an appeal to the Board.