Department of Commerce November 14, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) publishes this final rule to amend certain requirements in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that apply to the Principality of Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein). In this final rule, BIS aligns license requirements and licensing policy under the EAR for Liechtenstein with those for Switzerland. As a result, for purposes of the EAR, Liechtenstein will be treated the same as Switzerland. By virtue of a Customs Union Treaty with Switzerland, Liechtenstein has adopted the export controls implemented under Swiss law, including controls equivalent to those prescribed under multilateral regimes, and has authorized Switzerland to administer and enforce export controls within Liechtenstein's territory. As a result of this arrangement, Liechtenstein and Switzerland serve as one territory for customs and export purposes. Having recently been made aware of the full scope of this arrangement and its consequences on export controls, BIS has determined that it is appropriate to codify the treatment of Liechtenstein and Switzerland as one territory for purposes of the EAR. This treatment of Liechtenstein is consistent with the effort of the United States to streamline licensing requirements where export controls prescribed by the multilateral regimes are implemented.

NMFS and the Pacific Fishery Management Council announce their intent to prepare an EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 to analyze the impacts on the human (biological, physical, social, and economic) environment of setting harvest specifications (including Overfishing Limits (OFLs), Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs), and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs)) and management measures for 2013 and 2014, pursuant to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan.

This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has determined that Pacific ocean perch, (Sebastes alutus), which is managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council, is in an overfished condition. NMFS notifies the appropriate fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition, or a stock is approaching an overfished condition.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is publishing this notice on behalf of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to announce the availability of and request comments on the technical reports that will be presented at NFPA's 2012 Fall Revision Cycle.

Notice is hereby given that Sea World, Inc., Sea World, Inc., 9205 South Park Center Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819 (Brad Andrews, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on and enhancement of Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) in permanent captivity.

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.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Research Steering Committee (Committee), in November, 2011, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The New England Fishery Management Council's (Council) VMS/ Enforcement Committee and Advisory Panel with the United States Coast Guard will hold a Commercial Fishing Gear Stowage Workshop to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).