Department of Commerce August 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 101 - 150 of 283
Patent Term Extension
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 comment on the extension 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)).
Patent Law Treaty
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 comment on the extension 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)).
United States Trade Finance Advisory Council
The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) has established the U.S. Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC) to solicit input regarding the challenges faced by U.S. exporters in accessing capital, innovative solutions that can address these challenges, and recommendations on strategies that can expand access to finance and educate U.S. exporters on available resources. This federal advisory committee is necessary to provide input to the Secretary on the development of strategies and programs that would help expand access to trade finance for U.S. exporters. The Department of Commerce is seeking applications for membership on the TFAC. In order to accommodate requests for extensions, we are now extending the deadline to receive applications until 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 29, 2016.
Hydrofluorocarbon Blends From the People's Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Order
Based on affirmative final determinations by the Department of Commerce (the Department) and the International Trade Commission (the ITC), the Department is issuing an antidumping duty order on hydrofluorocarbon blends from the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Certain New Pneumatic Off-the-Road Tires From India: Negative Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Postponement of Final Determination
The Department of Commerce (``Department'') preliminarily determines that certain new pneumatic off-the-road tires (``OTR tires'') from India are not being, or are not likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (``LTFV''). The period of investigation (``POI'') is January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. The estimated weighted-average dumping margins of sales at LTFV are shown in the ``Preliminary Determination'' section of this notice. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes From the People's Republic of China: Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review in Part; 2015-2016
The Department of Commerce (the Department) is rescinding its administrative review in part on small diameter graphite electrodes from the People's Republic of China (PRC) for the period of review (POR) February 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016.
Census Scientific Advisory Committee
The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of a meeting of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee (C-SAC). The Committee will address policy, research, and technical issues relating to a full range of Census Bureau programs and activities, including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geographic, information technology, and statistics. The C-SAC will meet in a plenary session on September 15-16, 2016. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible, which could prevent giving advance public notice of schedule adjustments. Please visit the Census Advisory Committees Web site for the most current meeting agenda at: https:// www.census.gov/cac. The meeting will be available via webcast at: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/census-live.html or at https:// www.ustream.tv/embed/6504322?wmode=direct.
Temporary General License: Extension of Validity
On March 24, 2016, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule, Temporary General License. The March 24 final rule created a temporary general license that restored, for a specified time period, the licensing requirements and policies under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) for exports, reexports, and transfers (in-country) as of March 7, 2016, to two entities (ZTE Corporation and ZTE Kangxun) that were added to the Entity List on March 8, 2016. At this time, the U.S. Government has decided to extend the temporary general license until November 28, 2016. In order to implement this decision, this final rule revises the temporary general license to remove the expiration date of August 30, 2016, and to substitute the date of November 28, 2016. This final rule makes no other changes to the EAR.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a webinar, which is open to the public.
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
The SEDAR 49 assessment of the Gulf of Mexico Data-limited Species will consist of a data workshop, a review workshop, and a series of assessment webinars. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Archival Tag Management Measures
This final rule revises the regulations that currently require persons surgically implanting or externally affixing archival tags on Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) to obtain written authorization from NMFS, and that require fishermen to report their catches of Atlantic HMS with such tags to NMFS. Archival tags are tags that record scientific information about the movement and behavior of a fish and include tags that are surgically implanted in a fish, as well as tags that are externally affixed, such as pop-up satellite archival tags (PSAT) and smart position and temperature tags (SPOT). Specifically, this final rule removes the requirement for researchers to obtain written authorization from NMFS to implant or affix an archival tag but would continue to allow persons who catch a fish with a surgically implanted archival tag to retain the fish only if they return the tag to the person indicated on the tag or to NMFS. Persons retaining such fish would no longer be required to submit to NMFS an archival tag landing report or make the fish available for inspection and tag recovery by a NMFS scientist, enforcement agent, or other person designated in writing by NMFS. Any persons who land an Atlantic HMS with an externally-affixed archival tag would be encouraged, but not required, to follow the instructions on the tag to return the tag to the appropriate research entity or to NMFS. This action will affect any researchers wishing to place archival tags on Atlantic HMS and any fishermen who might catch such a tagged fish.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Allow the Use of Longline Pot Gear in the Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Individual Fishing Quota Fishery; Amendment 101
NMFS issues a proposed rule to implement Amendment 101 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP) for the sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This proposed rule would authorize the use of longline pot gear in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. This proposed rule would establish management measures to minimize potential conflicts between hook-and-line and longline pot gear used in the sablefish IFQ fisheries in the GOA. This proposed rule also includes proposed regulations developed under the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act) to authorize harvest of halibut IFQ caught incidentally in longline pot gear used in the GOA sablefish IFQ fishery. This proposed rule is necessary to improve efficiency and provide economic benefits for the sablefish IFQ fleet and minimize potential fishery interactions with whales and seabirds. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Halibut Act, the GOA FMP, and other applicable laws.
Permanent Advisory Committee To Advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; Meeting Announcement
NMFS announces a meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) on October 6-October 7, 2016. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
The Incentives, Benefits, Costs, and Challenges to IPv6 Implementation
Recognizing the exhaustion of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address space and the imperative for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) implementation and use, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is seeking input to guide NTIA in future IPv6 promotional activities. Through this Notice, NTIA invites adopters and implementers of IPv6 as well as any other interested stakeholders to share information on the benefits, costs, and challenges they have experienced, as well as any insight into additional incentives that could aid future adoption, implementation, and support of IPv6. After analyzing the comments, the Department intends to aggregate input received into a report that will be used to inform domestic and global efforts focused on IPv6 promotion, including any potential NTIA initiatives.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) and Model Evaluation Workgroup (MEW) will hold a webinar, which is open to the public, to discuss and make recommendations on issues on the Council's September 2016 agenda.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet to review recent fishery performance and develop a Fishery Performance Report and/or other recommendations in preparation for the Council's review of specifications at the October 2016 Council meeting.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar
In accordance with regulations issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, we hereby give notification that we, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), have issued four one-year Letters of Authorization (Authorizations) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals by harassment incidental to their military readiness activities associated with the routine training, testing, and military operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar within the western and central North Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 9
This action proposes modifications to the Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The proposed changes would modify the southern and eastern boundaries of the Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area, which is in effect from January 1 through March 15 of each year. This rule is intended to increase access to traditional squid fishing areas, while maintaining protection for juvenile scup.
Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee: Meeting of the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC).
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar
In accordance with regulations issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, we hereby give notification that we, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), have issued four one-year Letters of Authorization (Authorizations) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals by harassment incidental to their military readiness activities associated with the routine training, testing, and military operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar within the western and central North Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
[Docket No. 160714611-6611-01] HEADOffice of Administration; Commerce Alternative Personnel System
This notice announces modifications to the provisions of the Commerce Alternative Personnel System, formerly the Department of Commerce Personnel Management Demonstration Project, published in the Federal Register on December 24, 1997. As published on January 2, 2015 (80 FR 25), the Commerce Alternative Personnel System implemented direct-hire authority, under section 3304(a)(3) of Title 5 of the United States Code, for recruitment of certain scientific and engineering positions in the ZP career path at the Pay Band IV and above. Direct-hire authority was authorized for positions located in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), employed under the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The System was modified again, as published on June 22, 2016 (81 FR 40653), to increase the number of positions FirstNet could fill under direct-hire authority and to include certain occupational series in the ZP career path at the Pay Band III level and above. This notice serves to make changes to the System to expand the use of direct-hire authority to the NTIA, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), and authorizes ITS to fill certain ZP positions, on a limited basis, at the Pay Band III level and above. This notice also serves to announce the addition of the 1520Mathematics occupational series to the Commerce Alternative Personnel System.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex Fishery; Framework Adjustment 3 and 2016-2017 Specifications
This rule approves regulations to implement Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan Framework Adjustment 3 management measures, including fishing year 2016-2017 specifications, and implements a new seasonal quota allocation for the skate wing fishery. This rule is necessary because it updates the Skate Fishery Management Plan to be consistent with the most recent scientific information and it improves management of the skate fisheries. The intended effect of this rule is to help conserve skate stocks while maintaining economic opportunities for the skate fisheries.
Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Harmonization of the Destination Control Statements
This final rule implements changes that were proposed on May 22, 2015, in a proposed rule entitled Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Harmonization of the Destination Control Statements. This final rule revises the destination control statement in Sec. 758.6 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to harmonize the statement required for the export of items subject to the EAR with the destination control statement in Sec. 123.9(b)(1) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Changes in Accelerated Examination Practice
In 2006, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) introduced the accelerated examination program to permit an application to be advanced out of turn if the applicant files a grantable petition under the program. Since its institution, the patent landscape has witnessed numerous legal changes such as the America Invents Act (AIA), the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act (PLTIA) implementing the provisions of the Patent Law Treaty (PLT), and the USPTO's adoption of the Cooperative Patent Classification system (CPC) along with changes to USPTO systems. Accordingly, the Office is updating the accelerated examination program to reflect these changes in the law and examination practice.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; National Standard 2-Scientific Information; Regional Peer Review Processes
NMFS is providing notice of the regional peer review processes established pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). This notice provides a summary of each regional peer review process which has been jointly established by the Secretary and the relevant regional fishery management council (Council) for review of scientific information used to advise the Council about the conservation and management of fisheries. It also directs the public to a Web page where detailed guidelines can be found for each peer review process. NMFS and the Councils may update those guidelines as necessary.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permit
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Florida Keys Commercial Fisherman's Association (Association). If granted, the EFP would authorize the deployment of four fish trap designs at several sites in the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the South Atlantic to determine the effectiveness of these gear types for attracting and collecting invasive lionfish and to obtain lionfish life-history information over a 1 year period. The EFP would also utilize an outreach and education program to inform the public about the status of lionfish as an invasive species, efforts to control the spread of the population, and utilization of lionfish as a consumer food source.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
NMFS announces that the State of Florida is transferring a portion of its 2016 commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York. These quota adjustments are necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provision. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial quotas for Florida and New York.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Small-Mesh Multispecies Fishery; Adjustment to the Northern Red Hake Inseason Possession Limit
We announce the reduction of the commercial per-trip possession limit for northern red hake for the remainder of the 2016 fishing year. This action is required to prevent the northern red hake total allowable landing limit from being exceeded. This announcement informs the public that the northern red hake possession limit is reduced.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a one-day work session that is open to the public.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Foreign Availability Procedures
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 Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Amendment 19
NMFS proposes to approve and implement through regulations measures included in Amendment 19 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan, which the New England Fishery Management Council adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. Amendment 19 would establish a specifications process outside of the current framework adjustment process to implement management measures that are typically adjusted on an annual or biennial basis and change the start of the scallop fishing year from March 1 to April 1. This amendment is intended to streamline the development and implementation of annual specifications and reduce the administrative burden.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Draft Recovery Plan for Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Yelloweye Rockfish and Bocaccio
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability of the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Yelloweye rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) and Bocaccio (S. paucispinis) Draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for public review. NMFS is soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the draft Plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the review period before submitting the Plan for final approval.
Conclusion of National Marine Fisheries Service International Trade Data System Tests Concerning the Electronic Submission of Certain Data Required for Fish Imports and Exports
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) previously announced tests under the National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) concerning the electronic transmission of certain data for NMFS-regulated commodities through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and through the Automated Export System (AES). The tests included electronic data submission for imports (published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2015) and for exports (published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2016). During the imports test, entry filers were able to use the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) and the Document Image System (DIS) to transmit the NMFS Partner Government Agency (PGA) message data and forms required for NMFS to make admissibility determinations for entries subject to the monitoring programs for tunas, swordfish and toothfish, under the Highly Migratory Species International Trade Program (HMS), the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Trade Monitoring Program (AMR), and the Tuna Tacking and Verification Program (TTVP). During the exports test, exporters were able to use the Automated Export System (AES) and the DIS to transmit the NMFS PGA data and forms required for NMFS to collect required information on exports subject to these same trade monitoring programs. It has been determined that ACE and AES are capable of accepting NMFS-regulated electronic entries. NMFS regulations effective on September 20, 2016 (published on August 3, 2016) will require the use of ACE or AES, as applicable, for electronic filings of regulated imports or exports of fish products. Accordingly, CBP and NMFS announce that the NCAP tests are ending on September 20, 2016. All importers and exporters of fish products regulated by NMFS are encouraged to use ACE or AES, as applicable, for their electronic filings in advance of September 20, 2016, when such filings will become mandatory.
Xanthan Gum From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, Preliminary Determination of No Shipments, and Preliminary Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2014-2015
In response to requests from interested parties, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is conducting an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on xanthan gum from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''). The period of review (``POR'') is July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. The Department preliminarily: Found that mandatory respondent Neimenggu Fufeng Biotechnologies Co., Ltd. (aka Inner Mongolia Fufeng Biotechnologies Co., Ltd.)/Shandong Fufeng Fermentation Co., Ltd./Xinjiang Fufeng Biotechnologies Co., Ltd. (``Fufeng'') did not make sales of subject merchandise in the United States at prices below normal value (``NV'') during the POR; applied total adverse facts available to A.H.A. International Co., Ltd. and Deosen Biochemical Ltd./Deosen Biochemical (Ordos) Ltd. (``Deosen''); granted separate rates to CP Kelco (Shandong) Biological Company Limited and Shanghai Smart Chemicals Co., Ltd.; included Hebei Xinhe Biochemical Co., Ltd. as part of the PRC- wide entity; and determined that three companies, Meihua Group International Trading (Hong Kong) Limited; Langfang Meihua Bio- Technology Co., Ltd.; and Xinjiang Meihua Amino Acid Co., Ltd., had no reviewable U.S. sales during the POR. Additionally, the Department is preliminarily rescinding this administrative review with respect to Inner Mongolia Jianlong Biochemical Co., Ltd (``Inner Mongolia Jianlong''). If these preliminary results are adopted in the final results of this review, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (``CBP'') to assess antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results.
Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
The SEDAR Data Best Practices Panel will develop, review, and evaluate best practice recommendations for SEDAR Data Workshops. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
List of Fisheries for 2017
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2017, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2017 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.
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