Department of Commerce 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 301 - 350 of 2,625
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panels.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; U.S. Caribbean Commercial Fishermen Census
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.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Monitoring and Enforcement; At-Sea Scales Requirements
NMFS issues regulations to revise the at-sea scales program for catcher/processor vessels (C/Ps) and motherships that are required to weigh catch at sea. This action makes three major changes to current regulations. First, this action requires enhancements of daily scale testing for flow scales used to weigh catch at sea and requires electronic reporting of the daily flow scale test results. Second, this action requires that vessels required to use flow scales to weigh catch have electronics capable of logging and printing the frequency and magnitude of scale calibrations, as well as the time and date of each scale fault (or error) and scale startup. Third, this action requires that vessels use video to monitor the flow scale and the area around the flow scale. In addition, this action revises minor technical regulations related to equipment and operation regulations and removes certain regulations that are no longer applicable; and improves the accuracy of catch estimation by the C/Ps and motherships using at-sea scales and reduces the possibility of scale tampering. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable laws.
Availability of Report: California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy (CEMP) and Implementing Guidelines; Correction
This action corrects a web address provided for availability of the CEMP and Implementing Guidelines, responses to comments received on the draft CEMP, and other supporting documents in a notice that published on November 7, 2014.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technical Corrections for the Hawaiian Monk Seal
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service, announce the revised taxonomy of Monachus schauinslandi (Hawaiian monk seal) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are revising the Enumeration of endangered marine and anadromous species and Critical habitat for Hawaiian monk seals to reflect the scientifically accepted taxonomy and nomenclature of this species. We revise the scientific name of the species as follows: Neomonachus schauinslandi (= M. schauinslandi).
Endangered Species; File No. 19255
Notice is hereby given that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DENREC) [Michael Stangl, Responsible Party], 3002 Bayside Dr., Dover, Delaware 19977, has applied in due form for a permit to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Delaware River for purposes of scientific research.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) northern rockfish and BSAI skates, and the total allowable catch (TAC) of Bering Sea (BS) ``other rockfish'' and BSAI octopuses in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area.
Certain Large Diameter Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe From Japan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2012-2013
On July 23, 2014, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain large diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe (over 4 \1/2\ inches) from Japan for the period of review (POR) of June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013. For these final results, we continue to find that Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (SMI) failed to cooperate to the best of its ability and, accordingly, the Department is applying AFA to SMI. In addition, we find that no shipments were made by JFE Steel Corporation (JFE), Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon), and NKK Tubes (NKK) during the POR.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2014 Pacific ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Wooden Bedroom Furniture From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With Final Results of Administrative Review and Notice of Amended Final Results of Administrative Review Pursuant to Court Decision
On October 28, 2014, the United States Court of International Trade (``CIT'') sustained the Department of Commerce's (``the Department'') results of redetermination, pursuant to the CIT's remand order, in Lifestyle Enterprise, Inc., et al., v. United States, Consol. Ct. No. 09-00378.\1\ Consistent with the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (``CAFC'') in Timken Co. v. United States, 893 F.2d 337 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (``Timken''), as clarified by Diamond Sawblades Mfrs. Coalition v. United States, 626 F.3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (``Diamond Sawblades''), the Department is notifying the public that the final judgment in this case is not in harmony with the Department's AR 3 Final Results \2\ and is amending the final results with respect to the margins assigned to Guandong Yihua Timber Industry Co., Ltd. (``Yihua Timber'') for the period of review (``POR'') January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers Metrics
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 information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meeting
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Ad Hoc Red Snapper For-Hire Advisory Panel.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Research Steering Committee on December 3, 2014.
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's (Council) will hold public meetings to solicit public input on the management of bottomfish and yellowfin tuna in the Main Hawaiian Islands.
Public User ID Badging
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 the revision of a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Comparing Health Insurance Measurement Error (CHIME)
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.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Framework Adjustment 52
Framework Adjustment 52 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan proposes two modifications to the windowpane flounder accountability measures. First, the size of the accountability measure gear restricted areas could be reduced if NMFS determines that improvements in windowpane flounder stock health occurred despite the catch limits being exceeded. Second, the duration of the accountability measure could be shortened if NMFS determines that an overage of the catch limit did not occur the previous fishing year. The proposed measures would allow NMFS to implement accountability measures based on more current survey and catch data. This proposed action is intended to increase fishing opportunities for the groundfish fishery while still preventing overfishing.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2014 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Gag
NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the commercial sector for gag in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial landings for gag, as estimated by the Science Research Director, are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for gag in the South Atlantic EEZ on November 21, 2014, for the remainder of the 2014 fishing year, through December 31, 2014. This action is necessary to protect the South Atlantic gag resource.
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Low-Energy Marine Geophysical Survey in the Ross Sea, January to February 2015
NMFS has received an application from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Polar Programs, and Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) on behalf of Louisiana State University, for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting a low-energy marine geophysical (seismic) survey in the Ross Sea, January to February 2015. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to NSF and ASC to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, 18 species of marine mammals during the specified activity.
Establishment of Commerce Data Advisory Council; Solicitation of Nominations for Membership
Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1512 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2, hereinafter the Act), the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Economics and Statistics Administration, announces the establishment of the Commerce Data Advisory Council (CDAC) by the Secretary, Department of Commerce. The CDAC will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on ways to make Commerce data easier to find, access, use, combine, and disseminate, and on other such matters as the Secretary determines. The Council will continue for two years unless renewed by the Secretary, Department of Commerce. With the exception of the limitations set out in 41 CFR part 102-3, the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, on behalf of the Secretary, Department of Commerce, will execute the functions and implement the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and its implementing regulation. This notice also requests nominations for membership on the Council.
Notice of Availability for a Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment for Potential Slant Test Well Project in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), which is part of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has finalized an Environmental Assessment (EA) which analyzed the potential impacts of a slant test well project proposed by California American Water, a privately-owned water and wastewater company, and prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to the environmental resources within MBNMS and adjacent shoreline areas. The proposed project described in the EA has been evaluated for consistency with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), sanctuary goals and objectives, and ONMS and MBNMS permitting regulations. The environmental impacts of the permitted action are described in the EA, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and related implementing regulations. The final EA and FONSI are available for download on the MBNMS Web site at: https://montereybay.noaa.gov/new/welcome.html#calam.
Changes To Permit Delayed Submission of Certain Requirements for Prioritized Examination
The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act includes provisions for prioritized examination of patent applications (also referred to as ``Track I''), which have been implemented by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) in previous rulemakings. The Office published an interim rule on March 5, 2014 (prioritized examination interim rule), to simplify the Track I prioritized examination practice to reduce the number of requests for prioritized examination that must be dismissed. In order to enable rapid processing and examination of those applications, the previous rulemakings provided that a request for Track I prioritized examination requires, upon filing of the application, an inventor's oath or declaration and all required fees, and that the application contain no more than four independent claims, thirty total claims, and no multiple dependent claims. If a request for Track I prioritized examination failed to meet these requirements on filing, then the request was dismissed. After operating under the previous rulemakings for some time, the Office determined that the time period for meeting the identified requirements could be expanded and still enable the Office to timely examine the patent application. Hence, on March 5, 2014, the Office published the prioritized examination interim rule to expand the time period for meeting the identified requirements. The Office received no comments from the public in response. This final rule adopts as final the amendments to the rules of practice originally set forth in the prioritized examination interim rule.
Changes to Continued Prosecution Application Practice
The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) revised and streamlined the requirements for the inventor's oath or declaration. In implementing the AIA inventor's oath or declaration provisions, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) provided that an applicant may postpone the filing of the inventor's oath or declaration until allowance if the applicant provides an application data sheet indicating the name, residence, and mailing address of each inventor. The rules pertaining to continued prosecution applications (which are applicable only to design applications) require that the prior nonprovisional application of a continued prosecution application be complete, which requires that the prior nonprovisional application contain the inventor's oath or declaration. The Office published an interim rule on March 5, 2014, to revise the rules pertaining to continued prosecution applications to permit the filing of a continued prosecution application even if the prior nonprovisional application does not contain the inventor's oath or declaration so long as the continued prosecution application is filed on or after September 16, 2012, and the prior nonprovisional application contains an application data sheet indicating the name, residence, and mailing address of each inventor (continued prosecution application interim rule). The Office received no comments from the public in response to the continued prosecution application interim rule published on March 5, 2014. This final rule adopts as final the amendments to the rules of practice originally set forth in the continued prosecution application interim rule.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meetings
The SEDAR 42 assessment of the Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper: a Data Workshop; a series of Assessment webinars; and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of the: Habitat and Environmental Protection Committee; Protected Resources Committee; Personnel Committee (closed session); Advisory Panel Selection Committee (closed session); Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) Committee; Snapper Grouper Committee; a joint meeting of the Dolphin Wahoo Committee and Snapper Grouper Committee; King & Spanish Mackerel Committee; Executive Finance Committee; Golden Crab Committee; Data Collection Committee; and a meeting of the Full Council. The Council will also hold a Council Member Visioning Project Workshop and receive a presentation on the Biscayne National Park Fishery Management Plan as part of the meeting. 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.
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2014 Commercial Fishing for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean; Commercial Retention Limit
NMFS is reopening the U.S. commercial fishery for Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) until the 500 metric ton (mt) catch limit is reached. If the 500-metric ton limit, which was established under the Tuna Conventions Act (TCA) and regulations implementing Resolution C-13-02 of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in the EPO, is not met, the fishery will close on December 31, 2014. This reopening of the fishery vacates the closure made by NMFS on September 5, 2014. Following the closure, NMFS received updated information indicating that only 404 mt of the 500 mt catch limit was caught. Thus, the closure was imposed prematurely. This rule also imposes a 1 mt trip limit on retention of PBF in the EPO by commercial vessels as an emergency action under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures
NMFS proposes 2015 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel, 2015-2017 specifications for Illex squid, 2015-2017 specifications for longfin squid, and 2015-2017 specifications for butterfish. This action also proposes simplifying the butterfish fishery closure mechanism. These proposed specifications and management measures are intended to promote the utilization and conservation of the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish resources.
Highly Migratory Species; Technical Amendment to Regulations
NMFS is hereby making technical amendments to our regulations without altering the substance of the regulations. These changes will make our rules more internally consistent and easier to use. As a result of reorganizing 50 CFR part 622 in a previously published final rule (September 19, 2013), two cross-references in 50 CFR part 635 are no longer accurate. This final rule only corrects the outdated cross- references. The rule does not make any substantive change to the regulations governing Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) or to species managed by NMFS' Southeast Regional Office (SERO).
Availability of Seats for National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils
ONMS is seeking applications for vacant seats for 7 of its 13 national marine sanctuary advisory councils (advisory councils). Vacant seats, including positions (i.e., primary member and alternate), for each of the advisory councils are listed in this notice under Supplementary Information. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of marine or Great Lake resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve two- or three-year terms, pursuant to the charter of the specific national marine sanctuary advisory council.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2014 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Fishing Year 2014; Emergency Gulf of Maine Cod Management Measures
This temporary rule implements commercial and recreational fishery management measure changes for Gulf of Maine cod protection in response to a recent updated assessment of the status of this severely depleted stock. The measures of this interim rule are necessary to reduce fishing mortality on GOM cod and to provide additional stock and spawning protection. The intended effect of these interim measures are to decrease fishing year 2014 catch so that overfishing is reduced and protect the stock until more permanent measures can be developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council).
International Fisheries; Western and Central Pacific Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Fishing Effort Limits in Purse Seine Fisheries for 2014
NMFS issues regulations under authority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (WCPFC Implementation Act) to revise the 2014 limit on fishing effort by U.S. purse seine vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (U.S. EEZ) and on the high seas between the latitudes of 20[deg] N. and 20[deg] S. in the area of application of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Convention). The total limit for 2014 is revised from 2,588 fishing days to 1,828 fishing days. This action is necessary for the United States to implement provisions of a conservation and management measure (CMM) adopted by the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (Commission) and to satisfy the obligations of the United States under the Convention, to which it is a Contracting Party.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (RE&EEAC) will hold a meeting on December 17, 2014. The meeting is open to the public and the room is disabled-accessible. Public seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf, and South Atlantic; Aquaculture
NMFS reopens the comment period on the proposed rule to implement the Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) that published on August 28, 2014. The original comment period closed on October 27, 2014. NMFS is reopening the comment period for an additional 15 days to provide the public additional time to comment on this proposed rule. If implemented, the proposed rule would establish a comprehensive regulatory program for managing the development of an environmentally sound and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The purpose of the proposed rule is to increase the yield of Federal fisheries in the Gulf by supplementing the harvest of wild caught species with cultured product.
Chlorinated Isocyanurates From the People's Republic of China: Countervailing Duty Order
Based on affirmative final determinations by the Department of Commerce (``Department'') and the International Trade Commission (``ITC''), the Department is issuing a countervailing duty order on chlorinated isocyanurates (``Isos'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC'').
Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From the People's Republic of China: Final No Shipments Determination of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2012-2013
On July 30, 2014, the Department of Commerce (the ``Department'') published the Preliminary Results of the 2012-2013 administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain hot- rolled carbon steel flat products (``hot-rolled steel'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC'').\1\ The period of review (``POR'') is November 1, 2012, through October 31, 2013. We received no comments from interested parties. Therefore, the Department continues to find that Baosteel Group Corporation, Shanghai Baosteel International Economic & Trading Co., Ltd., and Baoshan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (collectively, ``Baosteel'') had no reviewable transactions of subject merchandise to the United States during the POR.
Certain Kitchen Appliance Shelving and Racks From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Expedited First Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
On August 1, 2014, the Department of Commerce (the ``Department'') published the notice of initiation of the first five- year (``sunset'') review of the antidumping duty order on certain kitchen appliance shelving and racks (``KASR'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC'') pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the ``Act'').\1\ As a result of this sunset review, the Department finds that revocation of the antidumping duty order on KASR from the PRC would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping. The magnitude of the dumping margins likely to prevail is indicated in the ``Final Results of Review'' section of this notice.
Drill Pipe From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2013
The Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an administrative review of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on drill pipe from the People's Republic of China (PRC). The period of review (POR) is January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013. We preliminarily determine that Shanxi Yida Special Steel Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. and its cross-owned affiliates received countervailable subsidies during the POR.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; National Saltwater Angler Registry
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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Distinct Population Segments of Yelloweye Rockfish, Canary Rockfish and Bocaccio
We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), issue a final rule to designate critical habitat for three species of rockfish listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): the threatened yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) Distinct Population Segment (DPS), the threatened canary rockfish (S. pinniger) DPS, and the endangered bocaccio (S. paucispinus) DPS (listed rockfish) pursuant to section 4 of the ESA. The specific areas in the final designation include 590.4 square miles (1529 square km) of nearshore habitat for canary rockfish and bocaccio, and 414.1 square miles (1072.5 square km) of deepwater habitat for yelloweye rockfish, canary rockfish and bocaccio. This final designation represents a reduction of approximately 15.2 percent (180.3 sq mi, 467 sq km) for canary rockfish and bocaccio, and a reduction of approximately 28 percent (160 sq mi, 416.2 sq km) for yelloweye rockfish, compared to our proposed critical habitat rule on August 6, 2013 (78 FR 47635). We exclude some particular areas from designation because the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion and exclusion of those areas will not result in the extinction of the species. No areas were excluded based on economic impacts. This final rule responds to and incorporates public comments received on the proposed rule and supporting documents, as well as peer reviewer comments received on our draft biological report.
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