Department of Commerce October 21, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule removes obsolete language in the Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) regulations requiring that a Billfish Certificate of Eligibility accompany certain product. The requirement to possess a Billfish Certificate of Eligibility no longer applies because passage of 2018 amendments to the Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 prohibited the associated product sales. This amendment removes a now-obsolete requirement consistent with an already-effective statutory provision. As further discussed below, we anticipate finding good cause that notice is unnecessary and that it will not be necessary to provide an opportunity for public comment. No aspect of this action is controversial.

In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to further restrict exports and reexports of items to Cuba. Specifically, this rule amends the Cuba licensing policy in the EAR to establish a general policy of denial for leases of aircraft to Cuban state-owned airlines. This rule also amends License Exception Aircraft, Vessels and Spacecraft (AVS) to clarify that aircraft and vessels are not eligible for the license exception if they are leased to or chartered by a national of Cuba or a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Additionally, this rule amends the EAR to establish a general 10-percent de minimis level for Cuba. Finally, this rule revises License Exception Support for the Cuban People (SCP) to make the Cuban government and communist party ineligible for certain donations, removes an authorization for promotional items that generally benefits the Cuban government, and clarifies the scope of telecommunications items that the Cuban government may receive without a license. BIS is making these amendments to further restrict the Cuban government's access to items subject to the EAR, thereby supporting the Administration's national security and foreign policy decision to hold the Cuban regime accountable for its repression of the Cuban people and its support for the Maduro regime in Venezuela; the Cuban regime denies its people fundamental freedoms while keeping Maduro in power using Cuban military intelligence and state security services. These amendments are consistent with the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba, signed by the President on June 16, 2017.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that acetone from Singapore is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to Borusan Holding A.S. (Borusan Holding), Borusan Mannesmann Boru Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Borusan), and Borusan Istikbal Ticaret T.A.S. (Borusan Istikbal) (collectively the Borusan Companies) and Tos[ccedil]elik Profil ve Sac End[uuml]strisi A.[Scedil]. (Tos[ccedil]elik Profil), Tosyali Dis Ticaret A.S. (TDT), Tosyali Holding, Tos[ccedil]elik Toyo Celik (Tos[ccedil]elik Toyo), Tosyali Filmasin ve Insaat Demir (Tosyali Filmasin), Tos[ccedil]elik Spiral Boru (Tos[ccedil]elik Spiral), Tosyali Demir Celik San A.S. (TDC), Tos[ccedil]elik Granul San A.S. (Toselik Granul), and Tosyali Celik Ticaret A.S. (TCT) (collectively, the Tos[ccedil]elik Companies), producers/exporters of circular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes (pipes and tubes) from Turkey for the period of review (POR) January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that carbon and alloy steel threaded rod (steel threaded rod) from Thailand is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV) during the period of investigation (POI) January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. The final estimated dumping margins of sales at LTFV are shown in the ``Final Determination'' section of this notice.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an application submitted by the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance for an exempted fishing permit contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This exempted fishing permit would allow two commercial fishing vessels participating in an electronic monitoring program to fish in the Southern New England Regulated Mesh Area with a 6-inch (15.24 cm) diamond mesh codend. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed exempted fishing permits.

This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.

This announcement provides notice that the Department of Commerce (Department) has received a ``Notice of Appeal'' filed by WesternGeco (Appellant) requesting that the Secretary override an objection by the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management to a consistency certification for a proposed project to conduct a marine Geological and Geophysical seismic survey in the Atlantic Ocean.

NOAA announces the appointment of members who will serve on the NOAA Performance Review Board (PRB). The NOAA PRB is responsible for reviewing performance appraisals and ratings of Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior Level (SL), and Scientific and Professional (ST) members and making written recommendations to the appointing authority on retention and compensation matters, including performance-based pay adjustments, awarding of bonuses, and reviewing recommendations for potential Presidential Rank Award nominees. The appointment of members to the NOAA PRB will be for a period of two (2) years.