Department of Commerce November 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 1, 2012, the Department of Commerce (the ``Department'') published in the Federal Register its preliminary results of administrative review of the countervailing duty order on certain pasta from Italy for the period January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010. We received no comments on those preliminary results and we continue to determine that Molino e Pastificio Tomasello S.p.A. (``Tomasello'') received countervailable subsidies during the period of review.

This notice announces a public meeting of the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information on spectrum management policy matters.

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2012 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of Rhode Island. NMFS is adjusting the quotas and announcing the revised commercial quota for each state involved.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is amending the Notice regarding the U.S. Multi-Sector Trade Mission to South India (Chennai and Cochin) and Sri Lanka (Colombo) February 3-8, 2013, published at 77 FR 48499, August 14, 2012 to revise the application deadline from November 30, 2012 to the new deadline of December 21, 2012, to provide for selection of applicants on a rolling basis, and to expand the eligibility to include U.S. trade associations.

NOAA has long been concerned about the potential for a gap in polar satellite coverage in the afternoon orbit. In addition to reports from Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office on this topic, NOAA has also convened an Independent Review Team (IRT) to review the progress of our satellite programs and identify the challenges ahead. These reports have all substantiated NOAA's concerns regarding the gap. NOAA is taking positive steps to mitigate the negative impacts to NOAA's numerical weather forecasts that could be introduced by a lack of polar satellite data. To this end, NOAA has commissioned an investigative study to broadly explore all available options, such as substitute satellite observations, alternative non-satellite data, weather modeling, and data assimilation improvements. NOAA is convening teams of internal and external experts, industry leaders, foreign partners, and academia to study each of these areas. As a part of this effort, and to ensure we examine all potential solutions, NOAA is also seeking comments, suggestions, and innovative ideas from the public on how to preserve the quality and timeliness of NOAA's numerical weather forecasts should we experience a loss of polar satellite environmental data. Through this web portal, the public can submit ideas, review submissions from other parties, and make comments and collaborate on ideas.

NMFS proposes specifications for the 2013 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries, and the 2014 summer flounder and scup fisheries, and provides notice of two projects that may be requesting exempted fishing permits as part of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Research Set-Aside Program. The implementing regulations for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan require NMFS to publish specifications for the upcoming fishing year for each of these species and to provide an opportunity for public comment. Furthermore, regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require that NMFS allow the public an opportunity to comment on applications for exempted fishing permits. Accordingly, in addition to proposing catch specifications, NMFS announces exempted fishing permit requests, in accordance with the fishery management plan and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat Oversight Committee 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.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the National Ocean Service's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to rocky intertidal monitoring work and searching for black abalone, components of the Sanctuary Ecosystem Assessment Surveys.

The National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet on Monday, December 10, 2012 from 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The primary purpose of this meeting is to update the Committee on the status of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Disaster and Failure Studies Program, receive NIST's response to the Committee's 2011 annual report recommendations, update the Committee on the progress of the NIST Technical Investigation of the May 22, 2011 Tornado in Joplin, MO, and gather information for the Committee's 2012 Annual Report to Congress. The agenda may change to accommodate Committee business. The final agenda will be posted on the NIST Web site at https://www.nist.gov/el/ disasterstudies/ncst/.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received eight scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, the southern distinct population segment of eulachon, and Puget Sound/ Georgia Basin rockfish. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The applications may be viewed online at: https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/previewopen forcomment.cfm.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received an application for a permit (Permit 15610) to conduct research for scientific purposes from the Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (OSU). The requested permit would affect the endangered Southern California (SC) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The public is hereby notified of the availability of the permit application for review and comment before NMFS either approves or disapproves the application.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, allowing the take of small numbers of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to a bird mitigation research trial.

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.

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2012 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

NMFS announces its request for applications for the 2013 shark research fishery from commercial shark fishermen with directed or incidental shark limited access permits. The shark research fishery allows for the collection of fishery-dependent data for future stock assessments to meet the shark research objectives of the Agency. The only commercial vessels authorized to land sandbar sharks are those participating in the shark research fishery. Shark research fishery permittees may also land non-sandbar large coastal sharks (LCS), small coastal sharks (SCS), and pelagic sharks. Commercial shark fishermen who are interested in participating in the shark research fishery need to submit a completed Shark Research Fishery Permit Application in order to be considered.

The Department of Commerce publishes this proposed rule to request public comments on proposed modifications to the regulations for the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) System that would extend the system until March 2017. This extension would continue the Department's ability to track as early as possible certain steel mill imports into the United States and make the import data publicly available approximately seven weeks in advance of the full public trade data release by the Bureau of the Census. Having access to full information about imports provides the public with greater knowledge to evaluate current market conditions.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Southeast Regional Office, Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30602 [Thomas Sinclair: Responsible Party], has applied in due form for a permit [File No. 17367] to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) for purposes of conducting scientific research; and also that the USFWS, Northeast Fishery Center, PO Box 75, Lamar, PA 16848 [Michael Millard: Responsible Party], has applied in due form for a permit [File No. 17364] to take Atlantic sturgeon for purposes of conducting scientific research.

This notice contains the list of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) documents opening for Public Input, and it also contains information on the NFPA Revision Process. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is publishing this notice on behalf of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to announce the NFPA's proposal to revise some of its fire safety codes and standards and requests Public Input to amend existing or begin the process of developing new NFPA fire safety codes and standards. The purpose of this request is to increase public participation in the system used by NFPA to develop its codes and standards.