Department of Commerce March 18, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On December 10, 2010, we, NMFS, published a proposed rule to list the Arctic (Phoca hispida hispida), Okhotsk (Phoca hispida ochotensis), Baltic (Phoca hispida botnica), and Ladoga (Phoca hispida ladogensis) subspecies of the ringed seal as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). As part of that proposal, we announced a public comment period to end on February 8, 2011, and then extended the comment period to March 25, 2011. NMFS has received requests for public hearings on this issue. In response, in a previous notice we announced public hearings to be held in Anchorage and Barrow, AK. In addition, in this notice NMFS is announcing a separate hearing that will be held in Nome, AK, to provide greater opportunity for public comment.

On September 13, 2010, the Department of Commerce (``Department'') published in the Federal Register the preliminary results of the first administrative review of the antidumping duty order on laminated woven sacks (``Sacks'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). See Laminated Woven Sacks From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR 55568 (September 13, 2010) (``Preliminary Results''). We gave interested parties an opportunity to comment on the Preliminary Results. Based upon our analysis of the comments and information received, we made changes to the margin calculations for the final results. We continue to find that the mandatory respondent has sold subject merchandise at less than normal value during the period of review (``POR''), January 31, 2008, through July 31, 2009.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator), has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. In support of research conducted by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation, Inc. (CFFI), this EFP would grant exemptions from the limited access scallop days-at-sea (DAS) program to allow CFFI to conduct tests with its low profile excluder dredge (CFFI dredge). In addition, limited access and limited access general category (LAGC) vessels would be authorized to temporarily retain fish that would otherwise be restricted by commercial fishing regulations. Such regulations include minimum fish sizes; fish possession limits; species quota closures; prohibited fish species, not including species protected under the Endangered Species Act; and gear-specific fish possession restrictions. The Assistant Regional Administrator has made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under this EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Atlantic sea scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue an EFP. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

NMFS has received an application from the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to Russian River estuary management activities. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to SCWA to take, by Level B Harassment only, several species of marine mammals during the specified activity.

On March 10, 2011, the binational panel issued its decision in the review of the determination on remand made by the International Trade Commission, respecting Light-Walled Rectangular Pipe and Tube from Mexico: Final Determination of Material Injury to a U.S. Industry (NAFTA Secretariat File Number USA-MEX-2008-1904-04). The binational panel affirmed the International Trade Commission's determination on remand. Copies of the panel's order are available from the U.S. Section of the NAFTA Secretariat.

In response to a request from an interested party, the Department of Commerce (the Department) initiated an administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering certain tin mill products from Japan. The period of review is August 1, 2009, through July 31, 2010. Based on the withdrawal of request from U.S. Steel Corporation (U.S. Steel), we are now rescinding this administrative review.