Department of Commerce November 13, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Gulf of Mexico as an endangered or threatened distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended (ESA). We conducted a review of the status of this population, as described below. Based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that the petitioned action is not warranted.

The notice of an open meeting of the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2013 (78FR60851). Since the publication of the meeting notice, the starting time for the meeting on November 19, 2013 has changed from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the meeting adjournment has changed from 2:30 p.m. on November 20, 2013 to 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Beacon Hotel, 1615 Rhode Island Avenue, Washington, DC 20036. Please see the Web site, https://www.sab.noaa.gov/Meetings/meetings.html for the most recent agenda and directions to the meeting location.

The United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) publishes this notice to announce that the Director of the Census Bureau has determined the need to conduct the 2013 Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS). The AWTS covers employer firms with establishments located in the United States and classified in the Wholesale Trade sector as defined by the 2007 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Through this survey, the Census Bureau will collect data covering annual sales, e- commerce sales, purchases, total operating expenses, year-end inventories held both inside and outside the United States, commissions, total operating revenue, and gross selling value, for three components of wholesale activity: wholesale distributors; manufacturers' sales branches and offices; and agents, brokers, and electronic markets. These data are collected to provide a sound statistical basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. Results will be available for use for a variety of public and business needs such as economic and market analysis, company performance, and forecasting future demand. The Census Bureau conducts the AWTS to provide continuing and timely national statistical data on wholesale trade annually.

NIST is extending the deadline for submitting comments relating to Possible Models for the Administration and Support of Discipline-Specific Guidance Groups for Forensic Science. Due to the lack of availability of information posted on the NIST Web site, and the lack of NIST staff to respond to questions during the recent government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations, the public may not have been able to formulate or submit their input. To allow the public sufficient time to formulate and submit their comments, NIST is extending the comment period from 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, November 12, 2013 to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 26, 2013.

The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Federal Economic Statistics Advisory Committee (FESAC). The Committee will advise the Directors of the Economics and Statistics Administration's (ESA) two statistical agencies, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the Census Bureau, and the Commissioner of the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on statistical methodology and other technical matters related to the collection, tabulation, and analysis of federal economic statistics. Last minute changes to the agenda are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a notice inviting written public comment on the renewal of information collection 0651- 0032, Initial Patent Applications. The USPTO plans to conduct a roundtable to obtain additional public input regarding the burden associated with the Initial Patent Applications collection and ways to potentially reduce it. By providing this additional opportunity for public input, the USPTO hopes to increase the level of stakeholder participation in this information collection renewal. The roundtable will be open for any member of the public to provide input.

In accordance with 5 U.S. C. 4314 (c) (4), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Department of Commerce (DOC), announce the appointment of those individuals who have been selected to serve as members of BIS's Performance Review Board. The Performance Review Board is responsible for (1) reviewing performance appraisals and rating of Senior Executive Service (SES) members and (2) making recommendations to the appointing authority on other performance management issues, such as pay adjustments, bonuses and Presidential Rank Awards for SES members. The appointment of these members to the Performance Review Board will be for a period of twenty-four (24) months.

The regulations at 5 CFR 430.310 require agencies to publish notice of Performance Review Board appointees in the Federal Register before their service begins. In accordance with those regulations, this notice announces changes to the membership of the International Trade Administration's Performance Review Board.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration is amending the Notice published at 78 FR 42505, July 16, 2013, regarding the U.S. Healthcare Education Mission to New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, India to revise the contact.