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

In compliance with Executive Order (E.O.) 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (November 6, 2000), the Department of Commerce (Department) adopted a Tribal Consultation and Coordination policy statement. This policy establishes the manner in which NOAA works with Federally recognized Indian Tribes when developing NOAA policies that have Tribal implications. This Handbook is intended to assist NOAA, including its regional and field staff, in conducting effective government-to- government consultations and fulfill NOAA's obligations under E.O. 13175 and Department Administrative Order 218-8 on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, and the Department of Commerce Tribal Consultation and Coordination Policy.

The SEDAR 38 stock assessment of South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico King Mackerel: A Data Workshop; an Assessment Workshop and webinars; and a Review Workshop. All workshops are open to the public. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

In this notice, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announces that it will begin accepting applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) for calendar year 2015 (January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015). The announcement also sets out the objectives, procedures and application review criteria for the IBP. The purpose of the IBP is to bring international buyers together with U.S. firms in industries with high export potential at leading U.S. trade shows. Specifically, through the IBP, the DOC selects domestic trade shows which will receive DOC assistance in the form of global promotion in foreign markets, provision of export counseling to exhibitors, and provision of matchmaking services at the trade show. This notice covers selection for IBP participation during calendar year 2015.

This notice sets forth the proposed schedule and agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.

NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the commercial sector for blue runner in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial landings for blue runner, as estimated by the Science and Research Director, are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on November 14, 2013. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for blue runner on November 14, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time, for the remainder of the 2013 fishing year, through December 31, 2013. This action is necessary to protect the blue runner resource in the South Atlantic.

The Council will hold a Council Member Visioning Workshop and a Council Member Data Workshop. In addition, the Council will hold a joint meeting of the Habitat and Ecosystem-Based Management Committees; Protected Resources Committee, Southeast Data, Assessment and Review Committee (partially CLOSED SESSION); Advisory Panel Selection Committee (CLOSED SESSION); Snapper Grouper Committee; King & Spanish Mackerel Committee; Executive Finance Committee; Personnel Committee (CLOSED SESSION); Dolphin Wahoo Committee; Data Collection Committee; and a meeting of the Full Council. The Council will take action as necessary. The Council will also hold an informal public question and answer session regarding agenda items and a formal public comment session.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), 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 this continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

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.

On August 1, 2013, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on solid urea from the Russian Federation (Russia). For the final results, we continue to find that MCC EuroChem has not sold subject merchandise at less than normal value.

The SEDAR 33 assessment of the Gulf of Mexico stocks of gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) and greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) will consist of two workshops and a series of webinars: a Data Workshop, an Assessment process conducted via webinars, and a Review Workshop. This series of workshops and webinars will be referred to as SEDAR 33. This notice is for additional Assessment Workshop webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

Below is a listing of individuals who are eligible to serve on the Performance Review Board (PRB) in accordance with the Economics and Statistics Administration's Senior Executive Service and Senior Professional Performance Management Systems: Kenneth A. Arnold William G. Bostic, Jr. Stephen B. Burke Joanne Buenzli Crane Susan R. Helper Ron S. Jarmin Enrique Lamas J. Steven Landefeld Jennifer Madans Brian E. McGrath Brian C. Moyer Nancy A. Potok Frederick Stephens Sonja Steptoe Frank A. Vitrano Katherine K. Wallman Adam Wilczewski The term of each PRB member will expire on December 31, 2015.

Notice is hereby given of a public meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). The meeting will be held in Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands at The Buccaneer Hotel, 5007 Estates Shoys, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands 00820. The meeting provides a forum for coordinated planning and action among federal agencies, state and territorial governments, and nongovernmental partners. The meeting will be held Friday, November 15, 2013. Additional workshops and field trips will be held in advance of the meeting on Tuesday, November 12, Wednesday, November 13 and Thursday, November 14. Registration is requested for all events associated with the meeting. This meeting has time allotted for public comment. All public comments must be submitted in written format. A written summary of the meeting will be posted on the USCRTF Web site within two months of occurrence. For information about the meeting, registering and submitting public comments, go to https://www.coralreef.gov, https:// dpnrczm.wufoo.com/forms/ or https://uscrtf-events-registration-form/or https://dpnrczm.wufoo.com/forms/uscrtf-registration-form. Commenters may address the meeting, the role of the USCRTF, or general coral reef conservation issues. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment, including personal identifying information may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Established by Presidential Executive Order 13089 in 1998, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force mission is to lead, coordinate and strengthen U.S. government actions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. Co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and Interior, Task Force members include leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states and territories and three freely associated states.