Department of Commerce July 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This interim final rule creates a Federal requirement for vessels using trawl gear in the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery to complete and submit the trawl logbook form. Historically, the states of Washington, Oregon, and California each administered state logbook form requirements. However, the California Fish and Game Commission repealed its trawl logbook reporting requirement, effective July 1, 2019. In order to not lose data reporting coverage from vessels in California, NMFS is implementing a Federal requirement for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program to complete and submit logbook forms in the absence of similar state regulations. This rule is necessary to continue collection of data vital to coastwide management of the groundfish trawl fishery.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) has conducted an expedited review of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on certain softwood lumber products (softwood lumber) from Canada for the producers/exporters that requested a review. As a result, we are excluding certain producers/exporters from the CVD order on lumber from Canada. We also find that certain producers/exporters received countervailable subsidies at above de minimis rates during the January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, period of review.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) continues to find that none of the companies subject to this administrative review have established their entitlement to a separate rate during the May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018 period of review (POR) and are, therefore, part of the China-wide entity.

NMFS announces management measures for the 2019 summer flounder recreational fishery. The implementing regulations for this fishery require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year. The intent of this action is to achieve, but not exceed, the 2019 summer flounder recreational harvest limit and thereby prevent overfishing on the summer flounder stock.

NMFS has received a request from the United States Navy for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates that are one year later (July 16, 2020July 15 2021). The initial IHA authorized take of five species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to construction associated with the Service Pier Extension project (SPE) at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Washington. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA issued in 2018 will be initiated under the effective dates of that IHA (July 16, 2019 through July 15, 2020). The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers would not change, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting would remain the same as authorized in the 2018 IHA referenced above. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a second IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') is requesting nominations of individuals to serve on the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee. The USPTO will consider all timely nominations received in response to this notice as well as from other sources.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) amends the Rules of Practice in Trademark Cases, the Rules of Practice in Filings Pursuant to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, and the rules regarding Representation of Others Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office to require applicants, registrants, or parties to a trademark proceeding whose domicile is not located within the United States (U.S.) or its territories (hereafter foreign applicants, registrants, or parties) to be represented by an attorney who is an active member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state in the U.S. (including the District of Columbia or any Commonwealth or territory of the U.S.). A requirement that such foreign applicants, registrants, or parties be represented by a qualified U.S. attorney will instill greater confidence in the public that U.S. trademark registrations that issue to foreign applicants are not subject to invalidation for reasons such as improper signatures and use claims and enable the USPTO to more effectively use available mechanisms to enforce foreign applicant compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements in trademark matters.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that polyester textured yarn (yarn) from the People's Republic of China (China) is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.

NMFS issues this final rule to implement annual management measures and catch limits for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine for the fishing year from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. This action prohibits directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the U.S. Pacific Coast, except in the live bait or minor directed fisheries, or as part of exempted fishing permit activities, and establishes limits on the incidental harvest of Pacific sardine in other fisheries. This action is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast.

Notice is hereby given that Linnea Pearson, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 21006.