Department of Commerce March 15, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to certain producers and exporters of aluminum extrusions from Mexico. The period of investigation is January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.

In this final rule, BIS amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to apply more restrictive treatment to exports and reexports to, and transfers (in-country) within, Nicaragua of items subject to the EAR. This action is consistent with the State Department's addition of Nicaragua to the list of countries that are subject to a U.S. arms embargo under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). To reflect this changed status under the ITAR, BIS adds Nicaragua to Country Group D:5. BIS's amendments also address concerns regarding the Nicaraguan Government's commission of human rights abuses against citizens and civil society groups, as well as the regime's ongoing military and security cooperation with Russia. Specifically, BIS is moving Nicaragua from Country Group B to Country Group D, a more restrictive country grouping, applying a stringent licensing policy for items controlled for national security reasons, and making the country subject to `military end use' and `military end user' restrictions. This rule advances the U.S. Government's efforts to restrict the availability of items subject to the EAR to Nicaragua's military and security services. Additionally, consistent with BIS's authorities under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, this rule demonstrates a commitment to using export controls to protect human rights and promote democracy.

Notice is hereby given that Lars Bejder, Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Manoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on cetaceans.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to bp Exploration and Production Inc. (bp) for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public webinar to collect input on the Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum.