[May 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 93)] [Unified Agenda] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [frwais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID: f:ua050404.wais] [Page 26656-26741] Department of Commerce ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part IV ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Semiannual Regulatory Agenda [[Page 26656]] DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC) _______________________________________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Office of the Secretary 13 CFR Ch. III 15 CFR Subtitle A; Subtitle B, Chs. I, II, III, VII, VIII, IX, and XI 19 CFR Ch. III 37 CFR Chs. I, IV, and V 48 CFR Ch. 13 50 CFR Chs. II, III, IV, and VI Spring 2005 Semiannual Agenda of Regulations AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Commerce. ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda. _______________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY: In compliance with Executive Order 12866 entitled ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, the Department of Commerce (Department), in the spring and fall of each year, publishes in the Federal Register an agenda of regulations under development or review over the next 12 months. Rulemaking actions are grouped according to prerulemaking, proposed rules, final rules, long- term actions, and rulemaking actions completed since the fall 2004 agenda. The purpose of the agenda is to provide information to the public on regulations currently under review, being proposed, or issued by the Department. The agenda is intended to facilitate comments and views by interested members of the public. The Department's spring 2005 regulatory agenda includes regulatory activities that are expected to be conducted during the period April 1, 2005, through March 31, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Specific: For additional information about specific regulatory actions listed in the agenda, contact the individual identified as the contact person. General: Comments or inquiries of a general nature about the agenda should be directed to Daniel Cohen, Chief Counsel for Regulation, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone: 202-482-3151. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to publish an agenda of those regulations that are under consideration pursuant to this order. By memorandum of February 4, 2005, the Office of Management and Budget issued guidelines and procedures for the preparation and publication of the Spring 2005 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., requires agencies to publish, in the spring and fall of each year, a regulatory flexibility agenda which contains a brief description of the subject area of any rule which is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The agenda also identifies those entries that have been selected for periodic review under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Within the Department, the Office of the Secretary and various operating units may issue regulations. Operating units, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Patent and Trademark Office issue the greatest share of the Department's regulations. A large number of regulatory actions reported in the agenda deal with fishery management programs of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). To avoid repetition of programs and definitions, as well as to provide some understanding of the technical and institutional elements of the NMFS programs, a section on ``Explanation of Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries'' is provided below. Explanation of Information Contained in NMFS Regulatory Entries The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) (Act) governs the management of fisheries within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ refers to those waters from the outer edge of the State boundaries, generally 3 nautical miles, to a distance of 200 nautical miles. Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) are to be prepared for fisheries, which require conservation and management measures. Regulations implementing these FMPs regulate domestic fishing and foreign fishing where permitted. Foreign fishing can be conducted in a fishery in which there is no FMP only if a preliminary fishery management plan has been issued to govern that foreign fishing. Under the Act, eight Regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils) prepare FMPs or amendments to FMPs for fisheries within their respective areas. In the development of such plans or amendments and their implementing regulations, the Councils are required by law to conduct public hearings on the draft plans and to consider the use of alternative means of regulating. The Council process for developing FMPs and amendments makes it difficult for NMFS to determine the significance and timing of some regulatory actions under consideration by the Councils at the time the semiannual regulatory agenda is published. The Department's spring 2005 regulatory agenda follows. Jane T. Dana, Acting General Counsel. Office of the Secretary--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 294 Civil Monetary Penalties; Adjustment for Inflation.................................... 0690-AA34 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 26657]] Bureau of Economic Analysis--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 295 Change in Reporting Requirements for BE-577, Direct Transactions of U.S. Reporter With 0691-AA57 Foreign Affiliate..................................................................... 296 Change in Reporting Requirements for BE-11, Annual Survey of U.S. Direct Investment 0691-AA58 Abroad................................................................................ 297 International Services Surveys: Cancellation of Five Annual Surveys................... 0691-AA59 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of Economic Analysis--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 298 BE-80, Benchmark Survey of Financial Services Transactions Between U.S. Financial 0691-AA51 Services Providers and Unaffiliated Foreign Persons................................... 299 Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad--2004............................... 0691-AA52 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of the Census--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 300 Cutoff Dates for Recognition of Boundary Changes for Census 2000 and for the 0607-AA35 Intercensal Period.................................................................... 301 Mandatory Automated Export System (AES) Filing for Export Shipments Requiring 0607-AA38 Shipper's Export Declaration Information.............................................. 302 Requirement for Reporting the Kimberley Process Certificate Number for Exports 0607-AA44 (Reexports) of Rough Diamonds......................................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of the Census--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 303 Establishment of the 2010 Census Redistricting Program................................ 0607-AA42 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Economic Development Administration--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 304 Economic Development Administration Regulations....................................... 0610-AA63 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- General Administration--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 305 Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, Technical Amendments............. 0605-AA17 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Trade Administration--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 306 Procedures for Conducting Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing 0625-AA51 Duty Orders........................................................................... 307 Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System........................................... 0625-AA64 [[Page 26658]] 308 Imports of Certain Worsted Wool Fabric: Implementation of Tariff Rate Quota 0625-AA67 Established Under Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000.................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Trade Administration--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 309 Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabric: Implementation of Tariff Rate Quota Established 0625-AA58 Under Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000................................ 310 Commercial Availability of Fabric and Yarn............................................ 0625-AA59 311 Proposed Amendment to Regulation Concerning Certification of Factual Information to 0625-AA66 Import Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings.......... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of Industry and Security--Prerule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 312 Export Administration Regulations: Clarifications to Deemed Export and Reexport Policy 0694-AD29 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of Industry and Security--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 313 Short Supply Controls: Crude Oil Exports.............................................. 0694-AC25 314 Additional Protocol Regulations....................................................... 0694-AD26 315 Removal of License Exception GBS Eligibility for Certain Microwave Monolithic 0694-AD36 Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Power Amplifiers............................................ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of Industry and Security--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 316 Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations............................................... 0694-AB06 317 De Minimis Expansion of Eligibility: U.S.-Origin Software Incorporated Into Foreign- 0694-AC17 Made Commodities...................................................................... 318 License Exception AVS: Cuba, Libya, and Serbia........................................ 0694-AC33 319 Clarifications to Part 753: Special Comprehensive License Requirements................ 0694-AC34 320 Removal of Licensing Exemption for Exports and Reexports of Missile Technology- 0694-AC48 Controlled Items Destined to Canada................................................... 321 Export and Reexport Controls on Iraq.................................................. 0694-AC84 322 Knowledge Definition, Safe Harbor, Red Flags.......................................... 0694-AC94 323 Adding Systems, Including Cameras, Incorporating Non-Space Qualified Non-Linear (2- 0694-AD06 Dimensional), Infrared Focal Plane Arrays Based on Silicon (Including Silicon- Germanium) Microbolometer Materials................................................... 324 Clarification of ``Space-Qualified'' Parts, Components, and Technology Subject to the 0694-AD07 Export Administration Regulations..................................................... 325 Revision of Export and Reexport Restrictions on Libya................................. 0694-AD14 326 Amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Implementing the ``Catch- 0694-AD15 All'' Provisions in the Australia Group (AG) ``Guidelines for Transfers of Sensitive Chemical or Biological Items''........................................................ 327 Cuba: Revisions of Personal Baggage Rules, Statement of Licensing Policy, and 0694-AD23 Modification of License Application Requirements...................................... 328 Licensing Policy for Entities Sanctioned Under Specified Statutes; License Requirement 0694-AD24 for Certain Sanctioned Entities; and Imposition of License Requirement for Tula Instrument Design Bureau.............................................................. [[Page 26659]] 329 License Exception GOV Exports and Reexports for Official IAEA International Inspection 0694-AD27 and Verification Use in Accordance With the U.S.-IAEA Safeguards Agreement, as Amended by the Additional Protocol............................................................ 330 Exports of Nuclear-Grade Graphite: Change in Licensing Jurisdiction................... 0694-AD28 331 Revisions and Clarifications to the Export Administration Regulations................. 0694-AD30 332 Clarification on License Exception Restrictions as Relating to Exports and Reexports 0694-AD33 of Crime Control and Detection Instrument Equipment, and Related Technology and Software.............................................................................. 333 Removal of Certain Night Vision Devices From Eligibility for License Exception APR for 0694-AD34 Reexports To, From, and Among Country Group A:1....................................... 334 Expansion of the Country Scope of the License Requirements That Apply to Chemical/ 0694-AD37 Biological (CB) Equipment and Related Technology; Amendments to CB-Related End-User/ End-Use and U.S. Person Controls...................................................... 335 Removal of Advisory Notes............................................................. 0694-AD39 336 Editorial Corrections to Part 730 of the Export Administration Regulations............ 0694-AD40 337 December 2004 Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary Agreement Implementation: Categories 1, 2, 0694-AD41 3, 4, 5 Part I (Telecommunications), 6, 7, 8, and 9 of the Commerce Control List; Wassenaar Reporting Requirement....................................................... 338 Entity List--India: Reduction in Scope of Items That Require a License for End-Users 0694-AD44 Subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards....................... 339 Technical Corrections to the Export Administration Regulations........................ 0694-AD46 340 Revisions and Clarification of License Exception Availability for Certain Crime 0694-AD47 Control Items and Removal of License Requirements on Other Crime Control Items........ 341 Revision of Telephone Numbers, Addresses, and Nomenclature Change and Removal of 0694-AD48 Redundant Reporting Requirement....................................................... 342 Revisions to the Import Certificate Requirements in the Export Administration 0694-AD50 Regulations........................................................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of Industry and Security--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 343 Export Administration Regulations: Support Documentation.............................. 0694-AC04 344 Exports and Reexports to Sudan........................................................ 0694-AC05 345 Expansion of License Exception GOV; Exports and Reexports to International 0694-AC15 Organizations......................................................................... 346 Mandatory Electronic Filing of License Applications, Classification Requests, and 0694-AC20 License Exceptions Notifications via BIS's Simplified Network Application Process (SNAP)................................................................................ 347 Revision to the Export Administration Regulations: Replacement Licenses............... 0694-AC23 348 Chemical Weapons Convention: Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations....... 0694-AC35 349 Implementation of General Order No. 3 and Deletion of General Order No. 1............. 0694-AC47 350 License Exception APR for Reexports To, From, and Among Countries in Country Group A:1 0694-AC69 351 Revisions to License Exception TSR: Expansion to Scope of Eligible Countries.......... 0694-AC71 352 Revisions of Aircraft Export Licensing Jurisdiction Based on Review of the United 0694-AC74 States Munitions List................................................................. 353 Imposition of Foreign Policy Controls on Surreptitious Communications Intercepting 0694-AC82 Devices............................................................................... 354 Export Administration Regulations: Removal of Country Groups.......................... 0694-AD09 355 Implementation of the Wassenaar Arrangement Statement of Understanding on the Control 0694-AD10 of Non-Listed Dual-Use Items.......................................................... 356 Export Administration Regulations: Establish Special Intra-Company License (SIL)...... 0694-AD22 357 Restrictions on Exports and Reexports to China (and Transfers Within China) of Certain 0694-AD49 Items Intended for Military End-Uses.................................................. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of Industry and Security--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 358 Revisions to the Export Administrative Regulations: Removal of the List of Missile 0694-AC46 Projects From Certain Country Groups and Revisions to Missile Controls................ 359 License Application Denial Policy, ``Red Flag'' Indicators of Possible Inappropriate 0694-AC68 End-Use, End-User, or Destination..................................................... [[Page 26660]] 360 Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations: Missile Technology Production 0694-AC93 Equipment and Facilities Controlled Under ECCNs 9B115 and 9B116....................... 361 Termination of Certain Emergencies With Respect to Yugoslavia and Related Removal of 0694-AC98 Restrictions on Transactions With Persons Identified by the Bracketed Initials (FRYM) Under the Export Admin. Regs.......................................................... 362 Expansion of Availability of License Exception CIV for Certain Deemed Exports of 0694-AD04 Microprocessor Technology; and Establishment of ``Foreign National Review'' Support Statement for Deemed Exports.......................................................... 363 Revision of Licensees' Responsibility To Communicate License Conditions............... 0694-AD05 364 Revisions and Clarifications to the Export Administration Regulations................. 0694-AD08 365 Revisions to Export Administration Regulations as a Result of Membership Expansion of 0694-AD11 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)............................................. 366 Entity List: Removal of Four Russian Entities......................................... 0694-AD12 367 India: Removal of Indian Entity and Revision in License Review Policy for Certain 0694-AD13 Indian Entities and a Clarification................................................... 368 Revision of Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 2B351 To Conform With the 0694-AD16 Australia Group (AG) ``Control List of Dual-Use Chemical Manufacturing Facilities and Equipment and Related Technology''.................................................... 369 Expansion of Computer Technology and Software Eligible for Export or Reexport Under 0694-AD18 License Exception CTP; and Establishment of ``Foreign National Review'' Procedure Under License Exception CTP........................................................... 370 Encryption Export and Reexport Controls Revisions..................................... 0694-AD19 371 Implementation of the Understandings Reached at the June 2004 Australia Group (AG) 0694-AD25 Plenary Meeting; Clarifications to the Scope of ECCNs 1A004, 1A995, and 2B351......... 372 Nomenclature Change: References to Another Agency..................................... 0694-AD31 373 Technical Corrections to the Export Administration Regulations........................ 0694-AD32 374 Defense Priorities and Allocations System: Electronic Transmission of Reasons for 0694-AD35 Rejecting Rated Orders................................................................ 375 Revision of License Exception TMP for Activities by Organizations Working To Relieve 0694-AD38 Human Suffering in Sudan.............................................................. 376 Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations Based on the 2004 Missile 0694-AD42 Technology Control Regime Plenary Agreements; Additions to the Entity List; Revisions to the Missile Catch-All Controls..................................................... 377 Denied Persons and Specially Designated Nationals..................................... 0694-AD43 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Institute of Standards and Technology--Prerule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 378 Draft Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201, Personal Identification 0693-AB54 Verification for Federal Employees and Contractors.................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Prerule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 379 American Lobster Fishery; Fishing Effort Control Measures To Complement Interstate 0648-AT31 Lobster Management Recommendations by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 380 Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Crustacean Fisheries of the 0648-AL67 Western Pacific Region................................................................ 381 Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Bottomfish Fisheries of the Western 0648-AM98 Pacific Region........................................................................ 382 Amendment 18A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf 0648-AN09 of Mexico............................................................................. 383 Measures to Prevent or Mitigate and Conserve, Manage, and Allow Full Utilization of 0648-AN76 Sharks................................................................................ 384 Regulatory Amendment Modifying the Gulf of Mexico BRD Framework Under the Fishery 0648-AN84 Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP).................... 385 Revision of American Lobster Regulations for the EEZ.................................. 0648-AP18 [[Page 26661]] 386 Regulatory Amendment To Implement Permit Stacking in the Limited-Entry Fixed-Gear 0648-AP38 Sablefish Fishery in 2005 and Beyond.................................................. 387 Comprehensive Amendment Addressing Sustainable Fisheries Act Requirements Regarding 0648-AP51 Overfishing, Bycatch, Fishing Communities and Provisions for Fishery Management Plans for the Caribbean..................................................................... 388 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 9....................... 0648-AP60 389 Implementation of the Regulatory Changes Resulting From the Amendments and Extension 0648-AP61 of the South Pacific Tuna Act......................................................... 390 Amendment 71A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering 0648-AP67 Sea and Aleutian Islands Area......................................................... 391 Regulatory Amendment To Adjust Permit Renewal Requirements and Transferability 0648-AQ20 Restrictions in NWHI's Hoomalu Zone and Mau Limited Access Programs................... 392 Fisheries of the United States; National Standard 1................................... 0648-AQ63 393 Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan........................... 0648-AQ87 394 Turtle Mitigation for Non-Hawaii-Based Pelagic Longline and Non-Longline Vessels...... 0648-AQ91 395 Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Gulf of 0648-AR06 Alaska and Amendment 62 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area................................................................. 396 Regulatory Rulemaking To Revise Accounting for Externally Tagged Halibut.............. 0648-AR09 397 Catcher Vessel Electronic Report...................................................... 0648-AR30 398 Atlantic Striped Bass Fisheries in the EEZ; Modification of Federal Regulations....... 0648-AR33 399 Amendment 13B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the 0648-AR38 South Atlantic Region................................................................. 400 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments to the Fishery Management Plan for 0648-AR60 Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Billfish.............................................................................. 401 Full Retention and Monitoring Program in the Shorebased Pacific Whiting Fishery....... 0648-AR63 402 Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Bottomfish Fisheries of the Western 0648-AR65 Pacific Region........................................................................ 403 Regulatory Amendment to Add and Revise Certain Species Codes in 50 CFR 679............ 0648-AR67 404 Amendment 72 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.. 0648-AR72 405 Revisions To Revise the Definitions of Exempted Fishing and Scientific Research....... 0648-AR78 406 Gear Identification Markings on Buoys................................................. 0648-AR90 407 Fish and Seafood Promotion Act........................................................ 0648-AS09 408 Community Development Quota Regulatory Amendment to Modify Several Fishery Management 0648-AS13 Elements of the CDQ Program........................................................... 409 Amendment 13 to Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, 0648-AS15 U.S. Waters........................................................................... 410 Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the South 0648-AS16 Atlantic Region....................................................................... 411 Amendment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery................. 0648-AS22 412 Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Tilefish Fishery................... 0648-AS25 413 Regulatory Amendment To Establish Measures Authorizing the Optional Use of Electronic 0648-AS29 Logbook Forms in the Western Pacific Fisheries........................................ 414 Measures To Reduce Interactions With Seabirds in the Hawaii-Based Longline Fishery.... 0648-AS30 415 Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Precious Corals Fisheries of the 0648-AS31 Western Pacific Region................................................................ 416 Framework 1 to the Red Crab Fishery Management Plan................................... 0648-AS35 417 Fee System for Repayment of the Loan to Harvesters of Pacific Groundfish Fishery and 0648-AS38 California, Washington, and Oregon Fisheries for Dungeness Crab and Pink Shrimp....... 418 Fee System for Repayment of the Loan to Harvestors of Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King 0648-AS46 and Tanner Crabs...................................................................... 419 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Reducing Sea Turtle Takes.................... 0648-AS49 420 Announcement of the Optimum Yield and Harvest Limit for Pacific Mackerel.............. 0648-AS59 421 Establish Management Measures for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 0648-AS63 Bottomfish Fishery Under the Western Pacific Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish FMP... 422 Revise Precious Coral Measures To Increase the Protection of Black Coral Resources in 0648-AS64 Hawaii................................................................................ 423 Generic Amendment to Provide for Regulations of Offshore Aquaculture of Selected Fish. 0648-AS65 424 Generic Amendment for Addressing Essential Fish Habitat Requirements, Habitat Areas of 0648-AS66 Particular Concern, and Gear Restrictions for All Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico............................................................................. 425 Amendment 25 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources in 0648-AS68 the Gulf of Mexico.................................................................... 426 Amendment 24 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources in 0648-AS69 the Gulf of Mexico.................................................................... 427 Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of 0648-AS70 the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic................................................. 428 Establish Management Measures for the Western Pacific Squid Fishery................... 0648-AS71 429 Amendment to Regulations Implementing the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention 0648-AS75 Act of 1984........................................................................... 430 Individual Fishing Quota Program; Restructure Date-Specific Quota Share Regulations... 0648-AS77 431 Correct and Clarify Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 0648-AS80 [[Page 26662]] 432 Halibut and Sablefish IFQ Program Amendments.......................................... 0648-AS84 433 FMP for the Scallop Fishery Off Alaska Amendment 10................................... 0648-AS90 434 Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West Coast Salmon 0648-AS96 Fisheries; Amendment 14; Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Descriptions for Pacific Salmon. 435 Area 4C/4D Selective IFQ/CDQ Boundary Permeability.................................... 0648-AT03 436 Amendment 79 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 0648-AT04 Islands Management Area Establishing a Groundfish Retention Standard.................. 437 Framework Adjustment 41 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan......... 0648-AT08 438 Identify and Manage Alaska Fishery Management Plans for EFH and HAPC.................. 0648-AT09 439 Framework Adjustment 17 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan........... 0648-AT10 440 Amendment 11 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan................... 0648-AT11 441 Regulatory Amendment to the Reef Fish Management Plan To Set Red Grouper TAC and 0648-AT12 Shallow-Water Grouper Management Measures for the 2006-2008 Seasons................... 442 Transfer of Management Authority for the Atlantic Coast Red Drum Resource From the 0648-AT13 South................................................................................. 443 Specifications for the 2006 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries........ 0648-AT19 444 Specifications for the 2006 Atlantic Bluefish Fishery................................. 0648-AT20 445 Specifications for the 2006 Atlantic Herring Fishery.................................. 0648-AT21 446 Specifications for the 2006 Monkfish Fishery.......................................... 0648-AT22 447 Framework 42 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery.................................... 0648-AT24 448 Framework 18 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery...................................... 0648-AT25 449 Framework 16 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries............... 0648-AT26 450 Specifications for the 2006 Fishing Year for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea 0648-AT27 Bass Fisheries........................................................................ 451 Specifications for the 2006 Recreational Fisheries for Summer Flounder, Scup, and 0648-AT28 Black Sea Bass........................................................................ 452 Framework 1 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery.............................................. 0648-AT29 453 West Coast Highly Migratory Species, Correcting Amendment............................. 0648-AT32 454 Restrictions for 2005 Purse Seine and Longline Fisheries in the Eastern Tropical 0648-AT33 Pacific Ocean......................................................................... 455 Limited Entry Program for Longline and Drift Gillnet Vessels.......................... 0648-AT35 456 Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Taking Marine Mammals Incidental To Conducting 0648-AQ71 Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in the Gulf of Mexico.............................. 457 Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large 0648-AS01 Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations................................................. 458 Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction..................................................... 0648-AS36 459 Sea Turtle Requirements for Commercial Scallop Fishing................................ 0648-AS92 460 Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Operation of Offshore Oil Production Facilities in 0648-AS98 Beaufort Sea.......................................................................... 461 Proposed Threatened Status for Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American 0648-AT02 Green Sturgeon........................................................................ 462 Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary; Designation and Implementation 0648-AS83 of Regulations........................................................................ 463 Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review............... 0648-AT14 464 Monetary Bay National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review......................... 0648-AT15 465 Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review...................... 0648-AT17 466 Consideration of Marine Reserves and Marine Conservation Areas Within the Channel 0648-AT18 Islands National Marine Sanctuary..................................................... 467 Licensing of Private Land Remote-Sensing Space Systems................................ 0648-AT00 468 Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review......................... 0648-AT16 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 469 Require Mandatory Observer Coverage in the At-Sea Processing Sector of the Whiting 0648-AK26 Fishery............................................................................... 470 Proposed Highly Migratory Species Process............................................. 0648-AK40 471 Amendment 2 to Monkfish Fishery Management Plan....................................... 0648-AQ25 472 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species: Billfish and Swordfish Recreational Fishing........ 0648-AQ65 473 Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western 0648-AQ92 Pacific Region (American Samoa Longline Limited Access Permit Program)................ 474 CDQ Transfer, Eligible Vessels, and Fishing Plan Regulations.......................... 0648-AS00 475 Announcement of the Optimum Yield and Harvest Limit for Pacific Sardine............... 0648-AS17 [[Page 26663]] 476 Amendment 23 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan To Set Vermilion Snapper 0648-AS19 Sustainable Fisheries Act Targets and Thresholds and To Establish a Plan To End Overfishing and Rebuild the Stock..................................................... 477 Annual Recreational Specifications for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass 0648-AS21 Fishery for Fishing Year 2005......................................................... 478 Specifications for the 2005 Fishing Year for the Atlantic Herring Fishery............. 0648-AS23 479 Specifications for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery for Fishing Year 2005.................... 0648-AS24 480 Framework 40B to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan................... 0648-AS33 481 Amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands 0648-AS47 King and Tanner Crabs--Crab Rationalization Program................................... 482 Amendment Number 15 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic 0648-AS53 Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Region............................. 483 2005-2006 Management Measures for Commercial, Recreational, and Treaty Indian Salmon 0648-AS58 Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California........................ 484 Annual Adjustment to Measures for the Monkfish Fishery for the 2005 Fishing Year...... 0648-AS72 485 Adjustment of Quota Overages in the U.S./Canada Area.................................. 0648-AS74 486 List of Fisheries for 2005............................................................ 0648-AS78 487 Seafood Dealer Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements............................... 0648-AS87 488 Correction to Final Rule for Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan......... 0648-AS89 489 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); 2005 Bluefin Tuna Quota Specifications and 0648-AT01 Effort Controls....................................................................... 490 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Atlantic Shark Commercial Management Measures 0648-AT07 491 2006-2007 Management Measures for Commercial, Recreational, and Treaty Salmon 0648-AT34 Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California........................ 492 Hydropower/Mandatory Conditions Review Process (MCRP) Rule............................ 0648-AS55 493 Provide Regulations for Permits for Capture, Transport, Import, and Export of 0648-AH26 Protected Species for Public Display, and for Maintaining a Captive Marine Mammal Inventory............................................................................. 494 Designate Critical Habitat for 7 Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of Pacific 0648-AO04 Salmon and Steelhead in California.................................................... 495 Taking of the Cook Inlet, Alaska, Stock of Beluga Whales by Alaska Natives............ 0648-AO16 496 Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocket Launches From the Kodiak Launch Complex, 0648-AP62 Kodiak Island, Alaska................................................................. 497 Designate Critical Habitat for 13 Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of Pacific 0648-AQ77 Salmon and Steelhead in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.................................. 498 Regulations Implementing the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan................... 0648-AR39 499 Listing Determinations for 27 Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of West Coast 0648-AR93 Salmon and Oncorhynchus Mykiss........................................................ 500 Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Operation.................................... 0648-AR99 501 Threatened Status for Southern Resident Killer Whales................................. 0648-AS95 502 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Lifting Trade Restrictive Measures................. 0648-AT05 503 Civil Procedures Governing Prosecution and Administrative Proceedings................. 0648-AS54 504 Sea Turtle Conservation; Exceptions to Taking Prohibitions for Endangered Sea Turtles. 0648-AS57 505 Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary................................................. 0648-AQ41 506 Certification Requirements for NOAA Electronic Navigational Chart Distribution........ 0648-AR87 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 507 Amendment 22 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan................................. 0648-AP02 508 Regulatory Amendment to Section 679 Permits or Permit-Related Issues.................. 0648-AQ07 509 Individual Fishing Quota for Guided Recreational Charter Halibut Fishery.............. 0648-AR96 510 Amendment 26 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 0648-AS67 Mexico to Establish a Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota Program.................... 511 Commercial Grouper Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Establishment of a Control Date..... 0648-AS88 512 Changes to Regulations Governing the Observer Communications System................... 0648-AS93 513 North Atlantic Whale Protection....................................................... 0648-AM85 514 Preventing Harassment From Human Activities Directed at Marine Mammals in the Wild.... 0648-AN43 515 Procedural Changes to the Federal Consistency Process................................. 0648-AP98 516 Coastal Zone Management Act Federal Consistency Regulations........................... 0648-AR16 [[Page 26664]] 517 Regional Marine Research Program...................................................... 0648-AF20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 518 Adjustment of Management Program: Bottomfish Fisheries in the Hawaiian Islands-- 0648-AK82 Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.............................................. 519 Full Retention of Demersal Shelf Rockfish in Gulf of Alaska Area 650.................. 0648-AP73 520 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Bigeye Tuna and Swordfish Trade Statistical 0648-AQ37 Document Programs..................................................................... 521 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Swordfish Quotas.......................... 0648-AQ90 522 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Trade Restrictive Measures......................... 0648-AR10 523 Framework 5 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery.................. 0648-AR50 524 Annual Specifications for Fishing Year 2005 for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black 0648-AR51 Sea Bass Fishery...................................................................... 525 Annual Specifications for the Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fishery for Fishing Year 2005- 0648-AR52 2007.................................................................................. 526 Framework 16 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan and Framework 0648-AR55 Adjustment 39 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan................... 527 Annual Specifications for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery for 0648-AR56 Fishing Year 2005..................................................................... 528 Annual Specifications for the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery for Fishing Year 2005......... 0648-AR57 529 Annual Specifications for the Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery for Fishing Year 2005......... 0648-AR59 530 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Amendment 2 to the Atlantic Billfish Fishery 0648-AR61 Management Plan....................................................................... 531 Consideration of Revision to Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Guidelines (50 CFR Part 600) 0648-AR76 532 Amendment 48 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering 0648-AR77 Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska........................................... 533 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); 2004 Bluefin Tuna Quota Specifications and 0648-AR86 General Category Effort Controls...................................................... 534 Halibut Subsistence II................................................................ 0648-AR88 535 Announcement of the Optimum Yield and Harvest Limit for Pacific Mackerel.............. 0648-AR97 536 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Commercial Management Measures...... 0648-AS08 537 Eastern Pacific Tuna Controls......................................................... 0648-AS18 538 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western 0648-AS27 Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures.............................................................................. 539 Request for Research Proposals Supported Under a Research Set-Aside Program for 0648-AS32 Fishing Year 2006..................................................................... 540 Framework 40A to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan................... 0648-AS34 541 Amendment 82 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and 0648-AS37 Aleutian Islands Management Area...................................................... 542 Restrictions for 2004 Purse Seine and Longline Fisheries in the Eastern Tropical 0648-AS39 Pacific Ocean......................................................................... 543 Gulf of Alaska Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures Revisions......................... 0648-AS41 544 Reorganize, by Redesignation, the Fishing Capacity Reduction Program (FCRP) 0648-AS44 Regulations and FCRP Fee System Regulations........................................... 545 Seasonal Closure of Grammanik Bank.................................................... 0648-AS56 546 Revisions to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for 2005 and Beyond............... 0648-AS61 547 Framework Adjustment 1 to the Red Crab Fishery Management Plan........................ 0648-AS73 548 Clarify the Days-at-Sea (DAS) Baseline Allocation Procedure Implemented in Amendment 0648-AS81 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.............................. 549 Notice of Control Date for the Purpose of Limiting Entry to the General Category 0648-AS82 Fishery; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP)........................... 550 Emergency Rule To Implement a Trip Limit for the Commercial Grouper Fishery in the 0648-AS97 Gulf of Mexico for 2005............................................................... 551 Emergency Rule To Reopen Application Process for Charter Vessel and Headboat Permit 0648-AS99 Moratorium in Gulf of Mexico.......................................................... 552 Annual Management Measures for the International Pacific Halibut Commission Pacific 0648-AT06 Halibut Annual Management Measures.................................................... 553 Endangered and Threatened Species: Permit Exemptions.................................. 0648-AO37 554 Atlantic Large Whale 2002 Seasonal Area Management (SAM) Program...................... 0648-AP68 555 Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Tuna Purse Seine 0648-AS05 Vessels in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP)................................... [[Page 26665]] 556 Taking and Importing Marine Mammals: Military Readiness Activities and Scientific 0648-AS06 Research Activities Conducted by or on Behalf of the Federal Government............... 557 Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Tuna Purse Seine 0648-AS45 Vessels in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean......................................... 558 Regulations Governing the Approach to North Atlantic Right Whales..................... 0648-AS76 559 Sea Turtle Requirements for Commercial Shrimp Fishing................................. 0648-AS79 560 Sea Turtle Requirements for Commercial Shrimp Fishing................................. 0648-AS91 561 Technical Revisions to Right Whale Listing Under the Endangered Species Act........... 0648-AS94 562 Revision of Overflight Regulations.................................................... 0648-AI91 563 Interagency Consultation for the National Marine Sanctuary Program.................... 0648-AL06 564 Installing and Maintaining Commercial Submarine Cables in National Marine Sanctuaries. 0648-AO36 565 Quality Assurance Program for Hydrographic Products................................... 0648-AS50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Telecommunications and Information Administration--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 566 Repeal of Mandatory Reimbursement Rules for Frequency Band or Geographic Relocation of 0660-AA15 Federal Spectrum-Dependent Systems.................................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patent and Trademark Office--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 567 Changes to Representation of Others Before the United States Patent and Trademark 0651-AB55 Office................................................................................ 568 Changes in Trademark Rules of Practice in Inter Partes Proceedings Before the 0651-AB56 Trademark Trial and Appeal Board...................................................... 569 Revision of Ex Parte and Inter Partes Reexamination Practice.......................... 0651-AB77 570 Changes To Implement the Refund Provisions of the United States Patent and Trademark 0651-AB79 Fee Modernization Act of 2004......................................................... 571 Revision of Patent and Trademark Fees for Fiscal Year 2006............................ 0651-AB81 572 Revision of Signature and Power of Attorney Provisions To Provide for Persons Granted 0651-AB85 Limited Recognition To Prosecute Applications and Other Miscellaneous Matters......... 573 Requirements To Receive a Reduced Fee for Filing an Application Through the Trademark 0651-AB88 Electronic Application System......................................................... 574 Amendment of Trademark Rules of Practice.............................................. 0651-AB89 575 Amendment of Rules for Filing Intent To Use Documents in Section 1(b) Applications.... 0651-AB90 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patent and Trademark Office--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 576 Revision of Search and Examination Fees for Patent Cooperation Treaty Applications 0651-AB84 Entering the National Stage in the United States...................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patent and Trademark Office--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 577 Changes To Implement Priority Application Exchange Between Intellectual Property 0651-AB75 Offices............................................................................... 578 Changes To Implement the Cooperative Research and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) Act 0651-AB76 of 2004............................................................................... [[Page 26666]] 579 Changes to the Practice for Handling Patent Applications Filed Without the Appropriate 0651-AB87 Fees.................................................................................. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patent and Trademark Office--Completed Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 580 Changes To Implement the Patent Fee Related Provisions of the Consolidated 0651-AB54 Appropriations Act, 2005.............................................................. 581 Fast Track Examination................................................................ 0651-AB62 582 Changes to Support Implementation of the United States Patent and Trademark Office 0651-AB64 21st Century Strategic Plan........................................................... 583 Changes in Fees for Filing Applications for Trademark Registration.................... 0651-AB83 584 Correspondence with the United States Patent and Trademark Office..................... 0651-AB86 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technology Administration--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 585 Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under 0692-AA14 Government Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.............................. 586 Acquisition and Protection of Foreign Rights in Inventions............................ 0692-AA15 587 Licensing of Government-Owned Inventions.............................................. 0692-AA19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Completed Actions Office of the Secretary (OS) _______________________________________________________________________ 294. [bull] CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES; ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: PL 101-410; PL 104-134 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 6 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This final rule is being issued to adjust each civil monetary penalty provided by law within the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce (the Department). The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, required the head of each agency to adjust its civil monetary penalties (CMP) for inflation no later than October 23, 1996, and requires them to make adjustments at least once every four years thereafter. These inflation adjustments will apply only to violations that occur after the effective date of this rule. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 12/14/04 69 FR 74416 Final Action Effective 12/14/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Peter Robbins, Attorney Advisor, Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary, HCHB Room 5876, Office of the General Counsel, 15th & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3151 Fax: 202 482-0512 Email: probbins@doc.gov RIN: 0690-AA34 [[Page 26667]] _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Proposed Rule Stage Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) _______________________________________________________________________ 295. CHANGE IN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR BE-577, DIRECT TRANSACTIONS OF U.S. REPORTER WITH FOREIGN AFFILIATE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 806 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend existing rule 15 CFR 806.14 to change the reporting requirements for the BE-577, Direct Transactions of U.S. Reporter with Foreign Affiliate, and to bring the survey into conformity with the BE-10, Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad-2004. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 02/00/06 Final Action 04/00/06 Final Action Effective 05/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Obie G. Whichard, Chief, International Investment Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 606-9890 Fax: 202 606-5318 Email: obie.whichard@bea.gov RIN: 0691-AA57 _______________________________________________________________________ 296. CHANGE IN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR BE-11, ANNUAL SURVEY OF U.S. DIRECT INVESTMENT ABROAD Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 806 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend existing rule 15 CFR 806.14 to change the reporting requirements for the BE-11, Annual Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad, and to bring the survey into conformity with the BE- 10, Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad-2004. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Final Action 12/00/06 Final Action Effective 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Obie G. Whichard, Chief, International Investment Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 606-9890 Fax: 202 606-5318 Email: obie.whichard@bea.gov RIN: 0691-AA58 _______________________________________________________________________ 297. [bull] INTERNATIONAL SERVICES SURVEYS: CANCELLATION OF FIVE ANNUAL SURVEYS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 801.9 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action amends 15 CFR part 801 by revising section 801.9(b) to remove the reporting requirements for five annual surveys that collect data covering international trade in services. These surveys have been replaced by quarterly surveys that collect essentially the same information. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Final Action 08/00/05 Final Action Effective 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Local, State Agency Contact: Obie G. Whichard, Chief, International Investment Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 606-9890 Fax: 202 606-5318 Email: obie.whichard@bea.gov RIN: 0691-AA59 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Completed Actions Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) _______________________________________________________________________ 298. BE-80, BENCHMARK SURVEY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN U.S. FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS AND UNAFFILIATED FOREIGN PERSONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 801 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend existing rule 15 CFR 801.11 to provide for the conduct of the BE-80, Benchmark Survey of Financial Services Transactions Between U.S. Financial Services Providers and Unaffiliated Foreign Persons - 2004, as required in the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act, 22 USC 3101 to 3108 (see especially section 4(b) of the Act). The existing rule covers a similar survey for 1999, which has been completed and which the new survey will update. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/27/04 69 FR 52613 NPRM Comment Period End 10/26/04 Final Action 11/30/04 69 FR 69508 Final Action Effective 12/30/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Local, State Agency Contact: Obie G. Whichard, Chief, International Investment Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, [[Page 26668]] 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 606-9890 Fax: 202 606-5318 Email: obie.whichard@bea.gov RIN: 0691-AA51 _______________________________________________________________________ 299. BENCHMARK SURVEY OF U.S. DIRECT INVESTMENT ABROAD - 2004 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 806 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend existing rule 15 CFR 806.16 to provide for the conduct of the BE-10, Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad - 2004, as required in the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act, 22 USC 3101 to 3108 (see especially section 4(b) of the Act). The existing rule covers a similar survey for 1999 which has been completed and which the new survey will update. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/17/04 69 FR 51020 NPRM Comment Period End 10/18/04 Final Action 12/07/04 69 FR 70543 Final Action Effective 01/06/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Obie G. Whichard, Chief, International Investment Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 606-9890 Fax: 202 606-5318 Email: obie.whichard@bea.gov RIN: 0691-AA52 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Final Rule Stage Bureau of the Census (CENSUS) _______________________________________________________________________ 300. CUTOFF DATES FOR RECOGNITION OF BOUNDARY CHANGES FOR CENSUS 2000 AND FOR THE INTERCENSAL PERIOD Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 5 USC 553(b)(3)(A); 5 USC 604(a); 44 USC 35 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 70 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is establishing cutoff dates for recognition of boundary changes to geographic entities for which the Census Bureau reports data in various surveys, estimates, censuses, programs, compilations, and publications throughout the period between decennial censuses (years 2001 through 2009). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/25/02 67 FR 3631 NPRM Comment Period End 02/25/02 Final Action 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Local, State Agency Contact: Robert La Macchia, Chief, Geography Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Stop 7400, Washington Plaza, Room 651, 4700 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233 Phone: 301 763-1022 RIN: 0607-AA35 _______________________________________________________________________ 301. MANDATORY AUTOMATED EXPORT SYSTEM (AES) FILING FOR EXPORT SHIPMENTS REQUIRING SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION INFORMATION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: PL 107-228, sec 1404 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 30 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of the Census is amending the Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations to require mandatory filing through the Automated Export System (AES) of all export information for shipments where filing of a Shipper's Export Declaration was formerly required. The AES is an electronic method by which export information is transmitted. This amendment will specify the provisions and filing responsibilities of parties exporting commodities from the United States. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 10/22/03 68 FR 60301 ANPRM Comment Period End 11/21/03 NPRM 02/17/05 70 FR 8200 NPRM Comment Period End 04/18/05 Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Stephanie Dunlap, Regulations, Outreach, & Education Branch, Foreign Trade Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Room 3125, 4700 Silver Hill Road, FB-3, Washington, DC 20233 Phone: 301 763-2238 Fax: 301 457-3765 Email: stephanie.b.dunlap@census.gov Related RIN: Related to 0607-AA29, Related to 0607-AA31, Related to 0607-AA30 RIN: 0607-AA38 _______________________________________________________________________ 302. [bull] REQUIREMENT FOR REPORTING THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS CERTIFICATE NUMBER FOR EXPORTS (REEXPORTS) OF ROUGH DIAMONDS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 13 USC 301; 13 USC 302 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 30 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The U.S. Census Bureau (Census Bureau) is amending the Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (FTSR) to incorporate the requirement for reporting the Kimberley Process Certificate (KPC) number for the exports (reexports) of rough diamonds filed through the Automated Export System (AES) in accordance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Kimberley Process) in the United States. This rule is issued to carry out [[Page 26669]] the purposes of Executive Order 13312 of July 29, 2003, which implemented the Clean Diamond Trade Act and the Kimberley Process. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/12/05 70 FR 2072 NPRM Comment Period End 02/11/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: C. Harvey Monk Jr., Chief, Foreign Trade Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 4700 Silver Hill Road FB- 3, Room 2104, Washington, DC 20233 Phone: 301 763-2255 Fax: 301-457-2645 Email: c.harvey.monk.jr@census.gov RIN: 0607-AA44 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Long-Term Actions Bureau of the Census (CENSUS) _______________________________________________________________________ 303. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 2010 CENSUS REDISTRICTING PROGRAM Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: None Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 05/13/04 69 FR 26547 Notice 02/15/05 70 FR 7713 Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Agency Contact: Catherine C. McCully Phone: 301 763-4039 RIN: 0607-AA42 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Final Rule Stage Economic Development Administration (EDA) _______________________________________________________________________ 304. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 42 USC 3121 et seq; 19 USC 3121 et seq; 42 USC 6701; 42 USC 184; 42 USC 5141; 42 USC 3123; 42 USC 6709; 42 USC 6101; 20 USC 1681; 29 USC 794; 42 USC 2000d-1; . . . CFR Citation: 13 CFR 300 to 318 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Economic Development Administration will be reviewing and reissuing all regulations in order to make them more user-friendly and effective, and in order to more directly align them with the reissued version of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, currently before Congress. EDA plans to have the regulations drafted within three months of reauthorization. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Governmental Jurisdictions, Organizations Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal Agency Contact: Hina Shaikh, Attorney Advisor, Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-4687 RIN: 0610-AA63 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Long-Term Actions General Administration (ADMIN) _______________________________________________________________________ 305. FEDERAL POLICY FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS, TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 27 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Tricia Choe Phone: 202 482-4265 Fax: 202 482-0512 Email: tchoe@doc.gov RIN: 0605-AA17 [[Page 26670]] _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Final Rule Stage International Trade Administration (ITA) _______________________________________________________________________ 306. PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEWS OF ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY ORDERS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 19 USC 1671 et seq; 19 USC 1673 et seq; 19 USC 1303 CFR Citation: 19 CFR 351 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: On May 19, 1997 (62 FR 27296), the Department of Commerce (the Department) published final rules on, inter alia, procedures for conducting antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings to conform the Department's existing regulations to the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). Although these regulations contain provisions on the conduct of sunset reviews, the Department is planning to amend the regulations to provide more guidance on the procedures for conducting sunset reviews. Specifically, the Department proposes to amend the procedural regulations for participation in, and conduct of, sunset reviews to add two definitions to provide shorthand expressions for 120-day and 240-day sunset reviews; provide deadlines for certain submissions; clarify the information to be provided by parties participating in a sunset review; clarify when the Department will conduct a 120-day or a 240-day sunset review; and provide time limits for actions to be taken by the Department. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 03/20/98 63 FR 13516 Interim Final Rule Effective 03/20/98 Final Action 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Stacy Ettinger, Attorney, Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Room 3828, 14th & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-4618 RIN: 0625-AA51 _______________________________________________________________________ 307. STEEL IMPORT MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 13 USC 301(a); 13 USC 302 CFR Citation: 19 CFR 360 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Department of Commerce amends its regulations to enhance the steel import monitoring and analysis system. The Department is seeking to improve the system in order to provide the public with accurate and timely information on imports of certain steel products. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 08/25/04 69 FR 52211 NPRM 03/11/05 70 FR 12133 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Julie Al-Saadawi, Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, 14th & Constitution Ave., NW, Room 3713, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-1930 RIN: 0625-AA64 _______________________________________________________________________ 308. [bull] IMPORTS OF CERTAIN WORSTED WOOL FABRIC: IMPLEMENTATION OF TARIFF RATE QUOTA ESTABLISHED UNDER TITLE V OF THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: PL 108-429 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 335; 15 CFR 340 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Department of Commerce amends its regulation to implement the amendment to the Trade Act included in the Miscellaneous Trade Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-429). Principally, this rule amends the regulations to specify which HTS categories may be allocated as TRQs and to eliminate Commerce's authority to modify these quotas. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sergio Botero, Industry Economist, Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, HCHB Room 3119, Office of Textiles and Apparel, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-4058 Fax: 202 482-0667 RIN: 0625-AA67 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Long-Term Actions International Trade Administration (ITA) _______________________________________________________________________ 309. IMPORT OF CERTAIN WORSTED WOOL FABRIC: IMPLEMENTATION OF TARIFF RATE QUOTA ESTABLISHED UNDER TITLE V OF THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000 Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 335; 15 CFR 340 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 01/22/01 66 FR 6459 Interim Final Rule Comment Period End 03/23/01 Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Sergio Botero Phone: 202 482-4058 Fax: 202 482-0667 RIN: 0625-AA58 _______________________________________________________________________ 310. COMMERCIAL AVAILABILITY OF FABRIC AND YARN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 345 [[Page 26671]] Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Janet Heinzen Phone: 202 482-4006 RIN: 0625-AA59 _______________________________________________________________________ 311. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO REGULATION CONCERNING CERTIFICATION OF FACTUAL INFORMATION TO IMPORT ADMINISTRATION DURING ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY PROCEEDINGS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 19 CFR 351 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/22/04 69 FR 56738 Next Action Undetermined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Robert E. Nielsen Phone: 202 482-5340 Email: robert--neilsen@ita.doc.gov RIN: 0625-AA66 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Prerule Stage Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) _______________________________________________________________________ 312. EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS: CLARIFICATIONS TO DEEMED EXPORT AND REEXPORT POLICY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 1701; 50 USC 2401; EO 12938; EO 13020; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 734; 15 CFR 772 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is reviewing the recommendations contained in the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General Report entitled ``Deemed Export Controls May Not Stop the Transfer of Sensitive Technology to Foreign Nationals in the U.S.'' (Final Inspection Report No, IPE-16176-March 2004). Certain of these recommendations would require regulatory changes that would affect existing requirements and policies for deemed export licenses. BIS is seeking comments on how these revisions would affect industry, the academic community, and U.S. Government agencies involved in research. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD29 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Proposed Rule Stage Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) _______________________________________________________________________ 313. SHORT SUPPLY CONTROLS: CRUDE OIL EXPORTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 10 USC 7420, 7430(e); 30 USC 185(s), 185(u); 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 750; 15 CFR 754 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security is amending the short supply provisions of the Export Administration Regulations to revise the restrictions on exports of crude oil. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC25 _______________________________________________________________________ 314. ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL REGULATIONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 22 USC 6701; 50 USC 1601; 50 USC 1701; EO 13128; EO 12938; EO 13094; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 781; 15 CFR 782; 15 CFR 783; 15 CFR 784; 15 CFR 785; 15 CFR 786; 15 CFR 787; 15 CFR 788 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Following ratification by the United States of the Protocol Additional to the Agreement Between the United States of America and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America (AP or Protocol), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposes to establish the Additional Protocol Regulations (APR) to implement the provisions of the Protocol affecting U.S. industry and other U.S. persons. In the aftermath of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, international inspectors determined that Iraq had been engaged in a clandestine nuclear weapons development program at locations not directly subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. The international community determined [[Page 26672]] that the safeguards system needed to be strengthened and negotiated a model Additional Protocol to amend existing bilateral safeguards agreements. The model Additional Protocol requires enhanced information collection and access to provide IAEA inspectors with greater ability to detect clandestine nuclear activities in non-nuclear weapons states (NNWS), and covers almost all of a state's nuclear fuel cycle. The United States, as a nuclear weapons state (NWS) party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), is not obligated to accept IAEA safeguards on its nuclear activities. However, the United States voluntarily signed the U.S. Additional Protocol on June 12, 1998. In this U.S. Additional Protocol, the United States accepts all of the measures of the Model Protocol, except where their application would result in access by the IAEA to activities with direct national security significance to the United States or to locations or information associated with such activities. By submitting itself to the same safeguards on all of its civil nuclear activities that NNWS are subject to (except those of national security significance), the United States intends to demonstrate that adherence to the model Additional Protocol does not place other countries at a commercial disadvantage. Declarations submitted under the U.S. Additional Protocol would provide the IAEA with information about additional aspects of the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle, including mining and milling of nuclear materials, nuclear- related equipment manufacturing, nuclear-related imports and exports, research and development not involving nuclear material, and other nuclear material activities not currently subject to the U.S. Safeguards Agreement. There are no routine inspections under the U.S. Additional Protocol, but IAEA inspectors may be provided access (referred to as ``complementary access'') to the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle to assure the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities or where there is a question or an inconsistency about the completeness or correctness of the U.S. declaration, which could relate to declared or undeclared industrial locations. Access to most industrial locations is predicated upon an IAEA request for clarification of a declaration. As with the U.S.-IAEA Safeguards Agreement, the IAEA would not be required to seek access to any U.S. locations. In carrying out the responsibilities delegated to it for implementation of the U.S. Additional Protocol, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will apply a philosophy of ensuring compliance while minimizing intrusion and the burden on commercial activities and emphasizing the protection of confidential business, national security, and other critical information to the maximum extent possible. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Related to 0694-AD27 RIN: 0694-AD26 _______________________________________________________________________ 315. [bull] REMOVAL OF LICENSE EXCEPTION GBS ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN MICROWAVE MONOLITHIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (MMIC) POWER AMPLIFIERS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; EO 13026; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations by removing License Exception GBS eligibility for certain microwave monolithic integrated circuit power amplifiers (MMICs) controlled on the Commerce Control List that can be used in phased array radar systems. License Exception GBS authorizes exports and reexports to Country Group B destinations when an item requires a license to such destinations for national security reasons only. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeffery Lynch, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3451 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: jlynch@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD36 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Final Rule Stage Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) _______________________________________________________________________ 316. CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION REGULATIONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; EO 12002; EO 12058; EO 12214; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 710 et seq Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act of 1998 (the Act or CWCIA) (22 U.S.C. 6701 et seq.), enacted on October 21, 1998, authorizes the United States to require the U.S. chemical industry and other private entities to submit declarations, notifications and other reports and also to provide access for on-site inspections conducted by inspectors sent by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Executive Order (E.O.) 13128 delegates authority to the Department of Commerce to promulgate regulations, obtain and execute warrants, provide [[Page 26673]] assistance to certain facilities, and carry out appropriate functions to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), consistent with the Act. The Department of Commerce implements CWC import restrictions under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the National Emergencies Act, and E.O. 12938, as amended by E.O. 13128. The Departments of State and Commerce have implemented the CWC export restrictions under their respective export control authorities. E.O. 13128 designates the Department of State as the United States National Authority (USNA) for purposes of the CWC and the Act. On December 30, 1999, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Department of Commerce, published an interim rule that established the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations (CWCR) (15 CFR parts 710-722). The CWCR implemented the provisions of the CWC, affecting U.S. industry and U.S. persons, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. This rule updates the CWCR to include additional requirements identified as necessary for the implementation of certain CWC provisions and amends the CWCR to clarify other CWC requirements. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/21/99 64 FR 39193 Interim Final Rule 12/30/99 64 FR 73744 Second NPRM 12/07/04 69 FR 70754 Final Action 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AB06 _______________________________________________________________________ 317. DE MINIMIS EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY: U.S.-ORIGIN SOFTWARE INCORPORATED INTO FOREIGN-MADE COMMODITIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; EO 12002; EO 12058; EO 12214; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by allowing foreign-made commodities that incorporate a de minimis, i.e., low percentage, value of controlled U.S.-origin software to be considered ``not subject'' to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC17 _______________________________________________________________________ 318. LICENSE EXCEPTION AVS: CUBA, LIBYA, AND SERBIA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; EO 12002; EO 12058; EO 12214; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by allowing equipment, spares, and plane stores under the provisions of License Exception AVS on foreign-registered aircraft subject to the EAR that are temporarily reexported to Libya and Serbia, and on U.S.- or foreign-registered aircraft subject to the EAR that are temporarily exported or reexported to Cuba. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC33 _______________________________________________________________________ 319. CLARIFICATIONS TO PART 753: SPECIAL COMPREHENSIVE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; EO 12002; EO 12058; EO 12214; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 700 to 799 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security administers the Special Comprehensive License (SCL) program to provide an effective export control mechanism for exporters who routinely ship to multiple end- users. This rule amends the SCL provisions of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to conform with changes in the SCL licensing process and to provide SCL applicants and consignees with additional guidance on how to fill out the forms required to submit a license application or to request changes in their SCLs. This rule also creates two new elements for SCL internal control programs. These new elements require the establishment of procedures for screening customers and items to ensure that SCL transactions conform with the antiboycott provisions of the EAR and with EAR provisions concerning entities involved in weapons of mass destruction activities. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 10/00/05 [[Page 26674]] Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC34 _______________________________________________________________________ 320. REMOVAL OF LICENSING EXEMPTION FOR EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS OF MISSILE TECHNOLOGY-CONTROLLED ITEMS DESTINED TO CANADA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2501 et seq; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 742 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises the existing license exemption in the Export Administration Regulations for the export of missile technology controlled items to Canada. It implements recommendations contained in the General Accounting Office report entitled Export Controls: Regulatory Change Needed to Comply with Missile Technology Licensing Requirements (GA-01-530). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 12/20/01 66 FR 65666 Interim Final Rule 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Matthew Blaskovich, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: mblaskov@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC48 _______________________________________________________________________ 321. EXPORT AND REEXPORT CONTROLS ON IRAQ Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430; 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 287; 22 USC 3201; 22 USC 6004; 30 USC 185; 42 USC 2139; 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354; 46 USC 466; 50 USC app 5; PL 106- 387; PL 107-56; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 750; 15 CFR 752; 15 CFR 758; 15 CFR 762; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule establishes the new export control policy for exports to Iraq under the licensing responsibility of the Bureau of Industry and Security. The new export control policy reflects the changed circumstances in Iraq and is consistent with changes in U.S. legal authorities concerning Iraq and actions taken by the United Nations Security Council with respect to the embargo against Iraq. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 07/30/04 69 FR 46060 Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., HCHB Room 2096, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Email: squarter@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC84 _______________________________________________________________________ 322. KNOWLEDGE DEFINITION, SAFE HARBOR, RED FLAGS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; EO 12938; EO 13020; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 752; 15 CFR 764; 15 CFR 772 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises the knowledge definition in the Export Administration Regulations to incorporate a ``reasonable person'' standard and replaces the phrase ``high probability'' with the phrase ``more likely than not.'' It also updates the ``red flags'' guidance and would provide a safe harbor from liability arising from knowledge under that definition. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/13/04 69 FR 60829 NPRM Comment Period Extended 11/15/04 69 FR 65555 Final Action 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC94 _______________________________________________________________________ 323. ADDING SYSTEMS, INCLUDING CAMERAS, INCORPORATING NON-SPACE QUALIFIED NON-LINEAR (2-DIMENSIONAL), INFRARED FOCAL PLANE ARRAYS BASED ON SILICON (INCLUDING SILICON-GERMANIUM) MICROBOLOMETER MATERIALS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 287c; 22 USC 3201; 22 USC 6004; 30 USC 185(s) and 185(u); 42 USC 2139a; 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354; 46 USC app 466c; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule imposes unilateral ``National Security'' (NS) and ``Anti-Terrorism'' (AT) controls on the export and reexport of (1) systems, including cameras, Incorporating Non-Space Qualified non- linear (2-dimensional), infrared focal plane arrays based on silicon (including silicon-germanium) microbolometer material (SIIRFPA), (2) software related to the production and development of these systems, and (3) technology related to the production and development of these systems and [[Page 26675]] software. This rule places these items, previously classified as EAR99, on the Commerce Control List. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeffery Lynch, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3451 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: jlynch@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD06 _______________________________________________________________________ 324. CLARIFICATION OF ``SPACE-QUALIFIED'' PARTS, COMPONENTS, AND TECHNOLOGY SUBJECT TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 287c; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 22 USC 6004; 30 USC 185(s) and 185(u); 42 USC 2139a; 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354; 46 USC app 466c; 50 USC app 5; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Commerce Control List entry for space launch vehicles and ``spacecraft'' to remove outdated notes and to clarify that ``space qualified'' parts, components and technology subject to the EAR are controlled under other entries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeffery Lynch, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3451 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: jlynch@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD07 _______________________________________________________________________ 325. [bull] REVISION OF EXPORT AND REEXPORT RESTRICTIONS ON LIBYA Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 287c; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 22 USC 6004; 30 USC 185(s), 185(u); 42 USC 2139a; 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354; 46 USC app 466c; 50 USC app 5; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 762; 15 CFR 772 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule implements the President's decision to revise United States sanctions against Libya. It also transfers licensing jurisdiction for exports to Libya of items subject to the EAR from the Department of Treasury to the Department of Commerce. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 04/29/04 69 FR 23626 Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Additional Information: This RIN was published in error as a completed action in the Fall 2004 Unified Agenda. BIS corrects this error by reinstating this RIN. The final rule to this action is expected to be published in February 2005. Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., HCHB Room 2096, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Email: squarter@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD14 _______________________________________________________________________ 326. AMENDMENTS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS (EAR) IMPLEMENTING THE ``CATCH-ALL'' PROVISIONS IN THE AUSTRALIA GROUP (AG) ``GUIDELINES FOR TRANSFERS OF SENSITIVE CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL ITEMS'' Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401; 50 USC 1701; 22 USC 3201; 42 USC 2139a ; PL 106-387; PL 107-56 ; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 12947; EO 13026; EO 13099; EO 13222; EO 13224 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the ``end-user/end-use'' controls in section 744.4(a) of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to conform with the country scope of the ``catch-all'' provisions in the Australia Group's ``Guidelines for Transfers of Sensitive Chemical or Biological Items.'' Currently, section 744.4(a) of the EAR requires a license only to countries of concern for chemical and/or biological weapons reasons (i.e., Country Group D:3 in Supplement No. 1 to Part 740 of the EAR). This rule would amend section 744.4(a) of the EAR by expanding the number of countries subject to this EAR ``end-user/end-use'' license requirement to include all destinations, worldwide, including the countries identified in Country Group A:3 (i.e., the AG-participating countries). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD15 [[Page 26676]] _______________________________________________________________________ 327. CUBA: REVISIONS OF PERSONAL BAGGAGE RULES, STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY, AND MODIFICATION OF LICENSE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 50 USC app. 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; PL 106- 387; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 748 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises the policy implemented in a rule that BIS published on June 22, 2004 (RIN 0694-AD17, 69 FR 34565). That rule, inter alia, placed a limit of 44 pounds on the amount of baggage that most travelers to Cuba are allowed to take under License Exception BAG. This rule clarifies that restriction by exempting wearing apparel and articles of personal adornment worn by the traveler while traveling to Cuba, personal safety and medical commodities for use by the traveler including wheelchairs, walkers, portable medical devices, child safety seats, and strollers from the 44 pound weight limit. This rule also states BIS licensing policy regarding aircraft and vessels on temporary sojourn to Cuba and imposes new information requirements for license applications for certain aircraft and vessels on temporary sojourn to Cuba. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Related to 0694-AD17 RIN: 0694-AD23 _______________________________________________________________________ 328. LICENSING POLICY FOR ENTITIES SANCTIONED UNDER SPECIFIED STATUTES; LICENSE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN SANCTIONED ENTITIES; AND IMPOSITION OF LICENSE REQUIREMENT FOR TULA INSTRUMENT DESIGN BUREAU Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app. 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387 sec 901 to 911; PL 107-56 sec 221; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 12947; EO 13026; EO 13099; EO 13222; EO 13224 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Several statutes authorize or require the United States Government to impose export sanctions on entities if such entities have engaged in activities that contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or are otherwise contrary to the foreign policy interests of the United States. This rule sets forth BIS's licensing policy for entities subject to sanctions imposed by the State Department under the Iran-Iraq Arms Nonproliferation Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-484), the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 107-178) and section 11B(b)(1) of the Export Administration Act of 1979. This rule also sets forth a new license requirement for certain entities sanctioned by the State Department, and imposes a license requirement for a specific entity, Tula Instrument Design Bureau of Russia, pursuant to the new license requirement. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 03/07/05 70 FR 10865 Interim Final Rule Comment Period End 05/06/05 Final Rule 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD24 _______________________________________________________________________ 329. LICENSE EXCEPTION GOV EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS FOR OFFICIAL IAEA INTERNATIONAL INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE U.S.-IAEA SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED BY THE ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; EO 13026; EO 13222; PL 106- 387; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the License Exception GOV provisions in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to authorize exports and reexports of certain items for official International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection and verification use in accordance with the terms of the Agreement Between the United States of America and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States, and Protocol Thereto (U.S.-IAEA Safeguards Agreement), as amended by the U.S.-IAEA Additional Protocol (Additional Protocol). These new License Exception GOV provisions authorize exports and reexports of a broader range of items than those currently eligible under the IAEA-Euratom provisions of License Exception GOV, because exports and reexports under these new License Exception GOV provisions are authorized only in connection with official international inspection and verification activities by the IAEA under the terms of the U.S.-IAEA Safeguards Agreement, as amended by the Additional Protocol. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & [[Page 26677]] Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Related to 0694-AD26 RIN: 0694-AD27 _______________________________________________________________________ 330. EXPORTS OF NUCLEAR-GRADE GRAPHITE: CHANGE IN LICENSING JURISDICTION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430; 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 3201; PL 106-387; EO 13026; EO 13222; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule implements the transfer of licensing jurisdiction, from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), of nuclear-grade graphite intended for non-nuclear end-uses. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeffery Lynch, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3451 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: jlynch@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD28 _______________________________________________________________________ 331. REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 764; . . . Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by making certain corrections and clarifications, including insertion of material inadvertently omitted from previous rules. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Timothy Mooney, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th and Pennsylvania NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3371 Email: tmooney@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD30 _______________________________________________________________________ 332. CLARIFICATION ON LICENSE EXCEPTION RESTRICTIONS AS RELATING TO EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS OF CRIME CONTROL AND DETECTION INSTRUMENT EQUIPMENT, AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; PL 106- 387; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by clarifying the listing of countries which are exempt from the license exception restriction imposed on exports and reexports of specially designed crime control and detection instrument equipment. This rule also authorizes the usage of License Exception GOV on shipments of the aforementioned equipment. Finally, this rule expands the license exception restriction for crime control reasons to include all items (commodities, technology, and software) instead of only commodities. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Matthew Blaskovich, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: mblaskov@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD33 _______________________________________________________________________ 333. REMOVAL OF CERTAIN NIGHT VISION DEVICES FROM ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSE EXCEPTION APR FOR REEXPORTS TO, FROM, AND AMONG COUNTRY GROUP A:1 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; PL 106- 387; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Paragraphs (a) and (b) of License Exception APR allow reexports of certain commodities to, from, and among destinations in Country Group A:1 (Supp. No. 1 to part 740 of the EAR) even in some situations in which no license exception would be eligible for similar exports from the United States to the same destination. Some commodities are excluded from the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of License Exception APR. This rule adds some night vision related equipment to those exclusions. BIS is taking this action because of the importance of night vision equipment in military operations and its potential use by terrorists. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD34 [[Page 26678]] _______________________________________________________________________ 334. [bull] EXPANSION OF THE COUNTRY SCOPE OF THE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO CHEMICAL/BIOLOGICAL (CB) EQUIPMENT AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY; AMENDMENTS TO CB-RELATED END-USER/END-USE AND U.S. PERSON CONTROLS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 3201; 42 USC 2139a; PL 107-56; PL 108-11; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule increases the country scope of chemical/biological (CB) controls on those Commerce Control List (CCL) entries that control chemical/biological equipment and related technology included on the Australia Group (AG) ``Control List of Dual-Use Chemical Manufacturing Facilities and Equipment and Related Technology.'' Specifically, this rule expands the country scope of the CB license requirements for these CCL entries from certain countries of concern for chemical/biological weapons reasons to all destinations, worldwide, except for those countries that participate in the Australia Group (AG). The changes made by this rule are intended to make the EAR license requirements that apply to AG-listed chemical/biological equipment and related technology conform with the AG ``Guidelines for Transfers of Sensitive Chemical or Biological Items.'' This rule also expands the CB-related end-user/end-use controls in Section 744.4 of the EAR to include in- country transfers, as well as exports and reexports. In addition, this rule expands the country scope of the CB-related U.S. person restrictions in Section 744.6 of the EAR from countries of concern for CB weapons reasons (i.e., Country Group D:3) to any country or destination, worldwide. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD37 _______________________________________________________________________ 335. [bull] REMOVAL OF ADVISORY NOTES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 3201; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by removing all references to ``Advisory Notes'' from the provisions of the EAR. In addition, this rule amends Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 2B018 on the Commerce Control List (CCL) by removing the Advisory Note from this ECCN and making conforming changes to the License Exception GBS and License Exception CIV paragraphs in this ECCN. Advisory Notes were included in the CCL to indicate favorable licensing treatment for strategic items included on the control lists of the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM), a multilateral export control organization that existed during the Cold War era. Strategic items included on the control lists of the COCOM successor regime, the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), do not have Advisory Notes. Therefore, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the EAR to remove the only remaining Advisory Note and all references to Advisory Notes, wherever located. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Marcus Cohen, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th & Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Mail Stop 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202-482-2440 Fax: 202-482-3355 Email: mcohen@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD39 _______________________________________________________________________ 336. [bull] EDITORIAL CORRECTIONS TO PART 730 OF THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Info./Admin./Other Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 18 USC 2510; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This final rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by making editorial corrections to update the organization descriptions and contact information of the offices in the Bureau of Industry and Security. In addition, this rule updates the list of Paperwork Collections that authorize the collection of information under the requirements of the EAR. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD40 _______________________________________________________________________ 337. [bull] DECEMBER 2004 WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT PLENARY AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION: CATEGORIES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 PART I (TELECOMMUNICATIONS), 6, 7, 8, AND 9 OF THE COMMERCE CONTROL LIST; WASSENAAR REPORTING REQUIREMENT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 743; 15 CFR 772; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None [[Page 26679]] Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) maintains the Commerce Control List (CCL), which identifies items subject to Department of Commerce export controls. This final rule revises certain entries controlled for national security reasons in Categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 part I (telecommunications), 6, 7, 8, and 9 to conform with changes in the List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies maintained and agreed to by governments participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (Wassenaar Arrangement). The Wassenaar Arrangement focuses on implementation of effective export controls on strategic items with the objective of improving regional and international security and stability. The purpose of this final rule is to make the necessary changes to the Commerce Control List, definitions of terms used in the EAR, and Wassenaar reporting requirements to implement Wassenaar List revisions that were agreed upon in the December 2004 meeting. In addition, this rule adds Slovenia to the list of Wassenaar member countries in the EAR. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD41 _______________________________________________________________________ 338. [bull] ENTITY LIST--INDIA: REDUCTION IN SCOPE OF ITEMS THAT REQUIRE A LICENSE FOR END-USERS SUBJECT TO INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) SAFEGUARDS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 42 USC 2139(a); EO 12947; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: On January 12, 2004, President George W. Bush announced the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) with India. The proposed cooperation outlined in the NSSP will progress through a series of reciprocal steps that build on each other, including steps related to enhancing cooperation in peaceful uses of space technology and steps to create the appropriate environment for successful high technology commerce. This rule implements a revision the United States has agreed to take under the NSSP by reducing the scope of the items that exporters are informed require a license for facilities subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards (Rajasthan 1 & 2 and Tarapur 1 & 2). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD44 _______________________________________________________________________ 339. [bull] TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app. 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 734; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule clarifies the requirements of several license exceptions, replaces supplements to the EAR with codified text, removes several provisions that have no legal effect and revises several software and technology Commerce Control List entries to make them more closely track related commodity entries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Previously reported as 0694-AC93 RIN: 0694-AD46 _______________________________________________________________________ 340. [bull] REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATION OF LICENSE EXCEPTION AVAILABILITY FOR CERTAIN CRIME CONTROL ITEMS AND REMOVAL OF LICENSE REQUIREMENTS ON OTHER CRIME CONTROL ITEMS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app. 2401 et seq.; 50 USC 1701 et seq.; 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq.; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; PL 108-11; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule expands and clarifies the availability of License Exceptions for items listed on the Commerce Control List (CCL) for Crime Control reasons. It also removes some such items from the CCL altogether by removing four Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) from that list. BIS is making these changes because it has concluded that the License Exception exclusions that this rule removes and the license requirements that were imposed pursuant to the ECCNs that this rule removes from the CCL are not necessary for the continued support of U.S. foreign policy to promote human rights throughout the world. Such support is the basis for crime control export license requirements as stated in Sec. 742.7 of the EAR. This rule also reiterates and emphasizes BIS policy of treating specially designed implements [[Page 26680]] of torture and similar items differently than crime control items that have legitimate law enforcement uses by creating a separate paragraph in Sec. 740.2 excluding the former from all license exceptions. Finally this rule makes technical corrections in several ECCNs Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD47 _______________________________________________________________________ 341. [bull] REVISION OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS, ADDRESSES, AND NOMENCLATURE CHANGE AND REMOVAL OF REDUNDANT REPORTING REQUIREMENT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app. 2401 et seq.; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 18 USC 2510 et seq.; 22 USC 3201 et seq.; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; PL 108-11; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 762; 15 CFR 764 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises addresses, telephone, and facsimile numbers; makes a nomenclature change; removes a redundant notification requirement; and corrects a citation error. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD48 _______________________________________________________________________ 342. [bull] REVISIONS TO THE IMPORT CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS IN THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; EO 13026; EO 13222; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 748 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security is removing the requirement to obtain an Import Certificate in support of an export or reexport licence when the ultimate consignee or purchaser is a foreign government or agency of India, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. This requirement is being removed for India, because of its highly effective export control program. The requirement is being removed for the other countries, because of their membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and their commitment to export control, as is reflected by their membership to multiple export control regimes, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and Nuclear Suppliers Group. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD50 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Long-Term Actions Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) _______________________________________________________________________ 343. EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS: SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 748 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Sharron Cook Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC04 _______________________________________________________________________ 344. EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TO SUDAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 774 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC05 _______________________________________________________________________ 345. EXPANSION OF LICENSE EXCEPTION GOV; EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774 [[Page 26681]] Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman Phone: 202 482-2440 Email: squarter@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC15 _______________________________________________________________________ 346. MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING OF LICENSE APPLICATIONS, CLASSIFICATION REQUESTS, AND LICENSE EXCEPTIONS NOTIFICATIONS VIA BIS'S SIMPLIFIED NETWORK APPLICATION PROCESS (SNAP) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 743; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 754; 15 CFR 772 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/12/03 68 FR 64009 NPRM Comment Period End 01/12/04 Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC20 _______________________________________________________________________ 347. REVISION TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS: REPLACEMENT LICENSES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 748 to 750 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC23 _______________________________________________________________________ 348. CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION: REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 700 to 799 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC35 _______________________________________________________________________ 349. IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ORDER NO. 3 AND DELETION OF GENERAL ORDER NO. 1 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 758; 15 CFR 764 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Timothy Mooney Phone: 202 482-3371 Email: tmooney@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC47 _______________________________________________________________________ 350. LICENSE EXCEPTION APR FOR REEXPORTS TO, FROM, AND AMONG COUNTRIES IN COUNTRY GROUP A:1 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC69 _______________________________________________________________________ 351. REVISIONS TO LICENSE EXCEPTION TSR: EXPANSION TO SCOPE OF ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Matthew Blaskovich Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: mblaskov@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC71 _______________________________________________________________________ 352. REVISIONS OF AIRCRAFT EXPORT LICENSING JURISDICTION BASED ON REVIEW OF THE UNITED STATES MUNITIONS LIST Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 774 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC74 _______________________________________________________________________ 353. IMPOSITION OF FOREIGN POLICY CONTROLS ON SURREPTITIOUS COMMUNICATIONS INTERCEPTING DEVICES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 752; . . . Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No [[Page 26682]] Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman Phone: 202 482-2440 Email: squarter@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Related to 0694-AB41 RIN: 0694-AC82 _______________________________________________________________________ 354. EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS: REMOVAL OF COUNTRY GROUPS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 724; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 750; 15 CFR 752; 15 CFR 758; 15 CFR 770; 15 CFR 772; 15 CFR 774 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD09 _______________________________________________________________________ 355. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE CONTROL OF NON-LISTED DUAL-USE ITEMS Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 748 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD10 _______________________________________________________________________ 356. EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS: ESTABLISH SPECIAL INTRA-COMPANY LICENSE (SIL) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730; 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 753; . . . Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD22 _______________________________________________________________________ 357. [bull] RESTRICTIONS ON EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TO CHINA (AND TRANSFERS WITHIN CHINA) OF CERTAIN ITEMS INTENDED FOR MILITARY END-USES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 22 USC 3201; EO 13026; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to impose a license requirement on exports and reexports to China (and transfers within China) of certain aircraft engines intended for military end-uses. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Hillary Hess, Director, Regulatory Policy Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: hhess@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD49 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Completed Actions Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) _______________________________________________________________________ 358. REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: REMOVAL OF THE LIST OF MISSILE PROJECTS FROM CERTAIN COUNTRY GROUPS AND REVISIONS TO MISSILE CONTROLS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; EO 12002; EO 12058; EO 12214; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by revising the footnote to Country Group D, which includes missile projects of concern. This rule updates the list of missile projects by adding missile projects and revising others by expanding the scope to missile project series. This rule increases the amount of applications for license submitted to the Bureau of Industry and Security, while curtailing the availability of goods and technology that could contribute to missile proliferation. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 11/08/04 69 FR 64657 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 [[Page 26683]] Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC46 _______________________________________________________________________ 359. LICENSE APPLICATION DENIAL POLICY, ``RED FLAG'' INDICATORS OF POSSIBLE INAPPROPRIATE END-USE, END-USER, OR DESTINATION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401; 50 USC 1701; EO 13026; EO 13222; 22 USC 3201; 42 USC 2139a; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 12947; EO 13026; EO 13099; EO 13222; EO 13224 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 744.11 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule makes explicit BIS's policy of denying export license applications when a sanction imposed on a party pursuant to a statute requires such denial. Such sanctions are imposed for activities contrary to United States foreign policy interests or that contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This rule also makes the imposition of such sanctions or publication of a party's name on the BIS ``Unverified List'' a ``red flag'' triggering a need for heightened scrutiny when dealing with such parties in transactions that are subject to the Export Administration Regulations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Merged With 0694-AD24 11/15/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Merged with 0694-AD24 RIN: 0694-AC68 _______________________________________________________________________ 360. REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS: MISSILE TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES CONTROLLED UNDER ECCNS 9B115 AND 9B116 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the Commerce Control List (CCL) (Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the EAR) to clarify and correct the scope of controls for production equipment and facilities for MT items in ECCNs 9B115 and 9B116. Specifically, because the MTCR Annex does not list production equipment for space launch vehicles or sounding rockets, this rule revises 9B115 to remove production equipment described in ECCN 9A004, the ECCN describing MT controls on space launch vehicles, and ECCN 9A104, the ECCN describing MT controls on sounding rockets. The MTCR Annex does list production facilities for space launch vehicles; however, because 9A004 includes ``spacecraft'' that are not controlled for MT reasons, the scope of control for production facilities described by ECCN 9B116 is too broad. Therefore, this rule amends ECCN 9B116 to specify that only production facilities for space launch vehicles described in ECCN 9A004 are subject to MT control. In addition, the headings of ECCNs 9B115 and 9B116 are revised to include production equipment and production facilities, respectively, for components, systems and structures for launch vehicles, launch vehicle propulsion systems or ``spacecraft'' described in ECCN 9A010. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Merged With 0694-AD46 02/18/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeffery Lynch, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3451 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: jlynch@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC93 _______________________________________________________________________ 361. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN EMERGENCIES WITH RESPECT TO YUGOSLAVIA AND RELATED REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSACTIONS WITH PERSONS IDENTIFIED BY THE BRACKETED INITIALS (FRYM) UNDER THE EXPORT ADMIN. REGS. Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app. 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 12947; EO 13026; EO 13099; EO 13222; EO 13224 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The President issued Executive Order 13304, effective on May 29, 2003, that, among other actions, terminated certain emergencies with respect to Yugoslavia that were declared in 1992 and 1998. Executive Order 13304's termination of the 1998 emergency removed most controls on certain persons identified by the bracketed initials [FRYM] on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Department of the Treasury in 31 CFR chapter V. In this rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security removes from its regulations the restrictions on exports and reexports to persons identified by the bracketed initials [FRYM] on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 11/12/04 69 FR 65368 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., HCHB Room 2096, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Email: squarter@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AC98 [[Page 26684]] _______________________________________________________________________ 362. EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF LICENSE EXCEPTION CIV FOR CERTAIN DEEMED EXPORTS OF MICROPROCESSOR TECHNOLOGY; AND ESTABLISHMENT OF ``FOREIGN NATIONAL REVIEW'' SUPPORT STATEMENT FOR DEEMED EXPORTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 18 USC 2510; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is expanding the availability of License Exception CIV for certain deemed exports of microprocessor technology on the Commerce Control List (CCL) of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) under Export Classification Control Numbers (ECCN) 3E001 and 3E002. These ECCNs control technology that can be used for the development and production of microprocessors. The proposed rule published on October 24, 2003, included the export and reexport of general purpose microprocessor technology under License Exception CIV. Eligibility for License Exception CIV in the final rule is limited to deemed exports for certain microprocessor technology. BIS has determined that further liberalization of controls on exports of microprocessor technology must await agreement in the Wassenaar Arrangement. This rule also establishes a new ``Foreign National Review'' (FNR) Support Statement requirement for deemed exports of technology in the EAR, incorporating guidance that has been posted on BIS's Web site. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/24/03 68 FR 60891 Final Action 11/05/04 69 FR 64490 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: efoia.bis.doc.gov/pubcomm/computer%20tech%20and%20software/final.pdf Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Split from 0694-AC95 RIN: 0694-AD04 _______________________________________________________________________ 363. REVISION OF LICENSEES' RESPONSIBILITY TO COMMUNICATE LICENSE CONDITIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401; 50 USC 1701; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 750 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises section 750.1 of the Export Administration Regulations to require licensees to communicate in writing specific license conditions to the parties to whom they apply. This is done in accordance with the General Accounting Office's (GAO) post-shipment verification recommendations to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) (found in GAO-04-357). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 11/23/04 69 FR 68076 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeffery Lynch, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3451 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: jlynch@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD05 _______________________________________________________________________ 364. REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 734; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 746 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule removes outdated notes from, and makes editorial corrections and clarifications to, 15 CFR parts 732, 734, 736, 742, and 746. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Merged With 0694-AD46 02/18/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeffery Lynch, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3451 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: jlynch@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Previously reported as 0694-AD08 RIN: 0694-AD08 _______________________________________________________________________ 365. REVISIONS TO EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AS A RESULT OF MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION OF NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 287c; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 22 USC 6004; 30 USC 185(s) and 185(u); 42 USC 2139a; 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354; 46 USC app. 466c; 50 USC app 5; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 772; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises the Export Administration Regulations to eliminate certain license requirements for exports and reexports to Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia because of their recent accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 06/28/04 69 FR 36009 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None [[Page 26685]] Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD11 _______________________________________________________________________ 366. ENTITY LIST: REMOVAL OF FOUR RUSSIAN ENTITIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 12947; EO 13026; EO 13099; EO 13222; EO 13224 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule implements a determination made pursuant to section 6 of Executive Order 12938 of November 14, 1994, as amended by Executive Order 13094 of July 28, 1998, to remove nonproliferation measures that have been imposed on four Russian entities, their subunits, and successors. The rule removes these entities from the Entity List found at 15 CFR 744, Supp. No. 4. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 11/15/04 69 FR 65539 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD12 _______________________________________________________________________ 367. INDIA: REMOVAL OF INDIAN ENTITY AND REVISION IN LICENSE REVIEW POLICY FOR CERTAIN INDIAN ENTITIES AND A CLARIFICATION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule removes the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Headquarters in Bangalore from the Department of Commerce Entity List contained in Supplement No. 4 to Part 744 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). It removes the license requirement for the seven (7) ISRO subsidiaries listed on the Entity List for all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) having a classification of EAR99 or a classification where the third through fifth digits of the Export Commodity Classification Number (ECCN) are ``999'', e.g., XX999. It establishes a presumption of approval for all items not controlled for nuclear proliferation reasons going to the ``balance of plant'' portion of Indian nuclear facilities subject to International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards (Rajasthan 1 & 2 and Tarapur 1 & 2). ``Balance of plant'' refers to the part of a nuclear power plant used for power generation (e.g., turbines, controllers, or power distribution) to distinguish it from the nuclear reactor. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 11/22/04 69 FR 56693 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD13 _______________________________________________________________________ 368. REVISION OF EXPORT CONTROL CLASSIFICATION NUMBER (ECCN) 2B351 TO CONFORM WITH THE AUSTRALIA GROUP (AG) ``CONTROL LIST OF DUAL-USE CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY'' Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 287c; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 22 USC 6004; 30 USC 185(s) and 185(u); 42 USC 2139a; 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354; 46 USC app 466c; 50 USC app 5; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 2B351 on the Commerce Control List (CCL) (Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the EAR) to conform with the Australia Group (AG) ``Control List of Dual-Use Chemical Manufacturing Facilities and Equipment and Related Technology.'' Specifically, this rule amends ECCN 2B351 by removing a technical note that contained an overly broad description of the types of toxic gas monitoring systems and detectors subject to chemical/ biological (CB) controls under the EAR. The technical note covered a number of toxic gas monitoring systems and detectors not included on the AG control list. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 12/23/04 69 FR 76842 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD16 [[Page 26686]] _______________________________________________________________________ 369. EXPANSION OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXPORT OR REEXPORT UNDER LICENSE EXCEPTION CTP; AND ESTABLISHMENT OF ``FOREIGN NATIONAL REVIEW'' PROCEDURE UNDER LICENSE EXCEPTION CTP Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 10 USC 7420; 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 3201; 30 USC 185; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule expands the availability of license exceptions for exports and reexports of computer technology and software under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), as set forth in a proposed rule published on October 24, 2003. In addition, this rule clarifies certain provisions of License Exception CTP. This rule also establishes a new ``Foreign National Review (FNR)'' procedure for deemed exports of technology or source code software under License Exception CTP. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/24/03 68 FR 60891 Final Action 11/05/04 69 FR 64483 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For Public Comments: efoia.bis.doc.gov/pubcomm/computer%20tech%20and%20software/final.pdf Agency Contact: Sharron Cook, Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 2096/MS 2705, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: scook@bis.doc.gov Related RIN: Related to 0694-AC95 RIN: 0694-AD18 _______________________________________________________________________ 370. ENCRYPTION EXPORT AND REEXPORT CONTROLS REVISIONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 2139a; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 12947; EO 13026; EO 13099; EO 13222; EO 13224 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 734; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 772 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action removes the requirements for a separate case-by- case, U.S. Government review of some encryption items to determine whether foreign-made items incorporating them are eligible for de minimis treatment. Foreign-made items incorporating those encryption items will now be treated like other U.S. origin items in determining de minimis eligibility. This rule reduces the notification requirements for exports and reexports of certain ``publicly available'' items that have been posted to the Internet by removing the requirement to notify the U.S. Government of updates or modifications if the Internet location has not changed. This rule simplifies License Exception ENC review requirements for exports and reexports of eligible encryption items, by implementing a 30-day limit on most encryption reviews and by clarifying the criteria by which licensing requirements to certain ``government end-users'' is determined. In connection with this new 30- day limit, this rule authorizes BIS to require additional technical information about a reviewed item after the review is completed and, if the information is not furnished, to suspend or revoke authorization to use License Exception ENC with respect to the item for which the information is sought. This rule also expands the list of countries to which certain encryption items may be sent immediately after notification to the U.S. Government. The list now covers all current members of the European Union. This rule updates and clarifies several encryption review requirements by revising License Exception ENC, Supplement No. 3 to part 740 and the definition of the term ``hold without action'' in the Export Administration Regulations. This rule also makes some technical changes. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 12/09/04 69 FR 71356 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD19 _______________________________________________________________________ 371. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED AT THE JUNE 2004 AUSTRALIA GROUP (AG) PLENARY MEETING; CLARIFICATIONS TO THE SCOPE OF ECCNS 1A004, 1A995, AND 2B351 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 287(c); 22 USC 3201; PL 106-387; PL 107- 56; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 745; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to: implement the understandings reached at the June 2004 plenary meeting of the Australia Group (AG) and through a subsequent AG intersessional decision; clarify the scope of controls on chemical detection equipment in ECCNs 1A004, 1A995, and 2B351; restore the text of license requirements notes inadvertently omitted from three ECCNs in a previously published rule; and update the list in the EAR that identifies countries that are States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Specifically, this rule implements the understandings reached at the June 2004 plenary meeting by adding three bacteria and two viruses to the list of AG-controlled plant pathogens described on the Commerce Control List (CCL) (Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the EAR). This rule also revises the AG-related licensing policies in the EAR, consistent with changes in the AG ``Guidelines for Transfers of Sensitive Chemical or Biological Items,`` by adding a new licensing factor to the list of factors that BIS will consider when determining what action should be taken on license applications to export or reexport AG-listed items on the CCL. In addition, this rule removes [[Page 26687]] the chemical/biological (CB) licensing requirement for certain medical products that contain conotoxins. This rule revises Supplement No. 1 to part 740 (Country Groups) by adding to Country Group A:3 (Australia Group) the names of five countries that recently became AG members and by removing Bulgaria from Country Group D:3 (countries of concern for chemical/biological reasons) the latter change was inadvertently omitted from an AG plenary rule that BIS published on May 31, 2002. Supplement No. 1 to part 738 (Commerce Country Chart) is amended by removing the licensing requirements for the five new AG member countries, under CB Column 2, in conformance with the licensing policy that applies to AG participating countries.This rule amends the EAR to implement an AG intersessional decision, which was adopted after the June 2004 AG plenary meeting, by adding nine precursor chemicals to the list of AG-controlled precursor chemicals described in ECCN 1C350 on the CCL. In addition, this rule amends ECCNs 1A004 and 2B351 to eliminate an apparent overlap between the controls of these two ECCNs as they apply to certain chemical detection equipment therefor specially designed or modified to identify or detect chemical warfare agents, but not specially designed for military use. This rule also amends three CCL entries, which control certain precursor chemicals and/or mixtures and test kits containing such chemicals, to restore the text of the license requirements notes that were inadvertently omitted from these ECCNs in a rule that BIS published on July 30, 2004. Finally, this rule revises Supplement No. 2 to part 745 of the EAR (titled ``States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction``) by adding the names of seven countries that recently became States Parties to the CWC. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 12/29/04 69 FR 77890 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482 3355 Email: wfisher@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD25 _______________________________________________________________________ 372. NOMENCLATURE CHANGE: REFERENCES TO ANOTHER AGENCY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730; 15 CFR 734; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 770; . . . Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This nomenclature change is being made to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to update the name of the U.S. State Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls to its new name, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 10/12/04 69 FR 60545 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Timothy Mooney, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th and Pennsylvania NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3371 Email: tmooney@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD31 _______________________________________________________________________ 373. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app. 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 10 USC 7420; 10 USC 7430(e); 18 USC 2510 et seq; 22 USC 287c; 22 USC 2151 note, PL 108-175; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 22 USC 6004; 30 USC 185(s); 42 USC 2139a; 42 USC 6212; 43 USC 1354; 46 USC app. 466c; 50 USC app. 5; PL 106-387; PL 107-56; EO 11912; EO 12002; EO 12058; EO 12214; EO 12851; EO 12854; EO 12918; EO 12938; EO 12947; EO 12981; EO 13020; EO 13026; EO 13099; EO 13222; EO 13224; EO 13338; 30 USC 185(u) CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 756; 15 CFR 762; 15 CFR 764; 15 CFR 766; 15 CFR 772; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule makes technical corrections and procedural changes to the Export Administration Regulations. Specifically, it: Updates the description of BIS's general plan of organization in section 730.4; revises and shortens the description of the scope of the Commerce Country Chart in section 738.3(a); clarifies availability of License Exception TMP for exhibition and demonstration in Country Group D:1; clarifies availability of License Exception TMP for reexports of kits of replacement parts to Country Group D:1; adds the Under Secretary for Industry and Security as an official who may determine whether information subject to section 12(c) of the Export Administration Act may be released to the public to conform to actual agency practice; removes a superfluous statement about responsibility to classify items from section 748.3(a); revises the description of emergency processing of license applications to conform to current agency practice; corrects a citation to the recordkeeping requirements pertaining to certificates or other documents obtained in connection with exports subject to the Inter-American Firearms Convention; redesignates two paragraphs in section 748.11 to conform to the standard Code of Federal Regulations structure; sets the value of aircraft and vessels on temporary sojourn to $0 for license application purposes to prevent confusing statistical values of items licensed for export to embargoed destinations; revises the titles of the head and deputy head of BIS in part 756 (Appeals) to conform to the currently applicable Departmental Organizational Orders; corrects a citation error in the prohibition against concealment or misrepresentation of facts and adds another citation to clearly distinguish the export control documents from the boycott report documents that are subject to section 764.2(g); revises the titles of the head of BIS in part 766 (Administrative Enforcement Proceedings) to conform to [[Page 26688]] the currently applicable Departmental Organizational Orders; revises the definition of the term ``controlled country'' to make clear that they are countries subject to national security export controls, to add two previously omitted countries, and to reflect the shift of North Korea from Country Group E:2 to D:1; removes a reference to a no longer existent technical note and corrects the name of another document referenced in ECCN 1C018; and revises the ECCN 3A001 License Exceptions paragraph to exclude certain commodities controlled for missile technology reasons consistent with section 740.2(a)(5). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 02/18/05 70 FR 8245 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD32 _______________________________________________________________________ 374. [bull] DEFENSE PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS SYSTEM: ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF REASONS FOR REJECTING RATED ORDERS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2061 et seq; 42 USC 5195 et seq; EO 12919; 50 USC app 468; 10 USC 2538; 50 USC 82; EO 12742; EO 12656 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 700 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends section 700.13(d) of the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) regulations to allow a person who has rejected a rated order to give his or her reasons for the rejection in writing or through electronic means rather than requiring the person to submit the rationale in writing (not electronically). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/22/04 69 FR 67872 Final Action 03/07/05 70 FR 10864 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Steve Baker, Export Specialist, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-4060 RIN: 0694-AD35 _______________________________________________________________________ 375. [bull] REVISION OF LICENSE EXCEPTION TMP FOR ACTIVITIES BY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO RELIEVE HUMAN SUFFERING IN SUDAN Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; PL 106- 387; EO 13026; EO 13222 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule revises license exception TMP to allow employees and staff of certain organizations to take equipment such as portable telephones, personal computers and global positioning system receivers to Sudan for up to one years to facilitate the work of those organizations. The organizations covered by this rule are organizations registered by the Treasury Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control pursuant to 31 CFR section 538.521d and organizations that have been authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to take, for humanitarian purposes, actions that would otherwise violate the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 538). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 02/18/05 70 FR 8251 Correction 02/28/05 70 FR 9703 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, HCHB Room 2096, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Fax: 202 482-3355 Email: warvin@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD38 _______________________________________________________________________ 376. [bull] REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS BASED ON THE 2004 MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME PLENARY AGREEMENTS; ADDITIONS TO THE ENTITY LIST; REVISIONS TO THE MISSILE CATCH-ALL CONTROLS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 22 USC 3201; EO 12851; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 772; 15 CFR 774 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including various entries on the Commerce Control List (CCL), to reflect changes to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex that were agreed to by MTCR member countries at the October 2004 Plenary in Seoul, South Korea. In addition to these changes, the EAR provide that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) may inform exporters, individually or through amendment to the EAR, that a license is required for exports or reexports to certain entities. The EAR contain a list of such entities called the Entity List. This rule adds to the Entity List four entities located in Syria. Lastly, this rule revises the missile catch-all controls for Restrictions on Certain Rocket Systems, by clarifying that the general prohibition includes a license requirement for items that will be used, anywhere in the world except by governmental programs for nuclear weapons delivery of NPT Nuclear Weapons States that are also members of NATO, in the design, development, production or use of rocket systems or unmanned air vehicles, regardless of range capabilities, for the delivery of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 02/10/05 70 FR 11858 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None [[Page 26689]] Agency Contact: Timothy Mooney, Export Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th and Pennsylvania NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-3371 Email: tmooney@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD42 _______________________________________________________________________ 377. [bull] DENIED PERSONS AND SPECIALLY DESIGNATED NATIONALS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; EO 13026; EO 13222; EO 12938; EO 13020 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 758; 15 CFR 764; 15 CFR 766; 15 CFR 772 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This final rule removes all references in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to the supplement containing the list of persons denied export privileges (i.e., the ``Denied Persons List'' or DPL), because no such supplement exists in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15 Part 764. The DPL is described, but not published, in the Code of Federal Regulations. This change is also being made because the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is discontinuing its practice of including unofficial versions of both the DPL and the ``Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons'' (SDN) List in the unofficial loose-leaf edition of the EAR that is available by subscription from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Revisions to the DPL and SDN List are issued frequently enough as to make the quarterly, hard-copy versions of the lists inaccurate. The removal of these lists from the loose-leaf edition of the EAR will eliminate the possibility that any violations of the EAR would occur due to reliance upon outdated information contained in these lists. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Rule 02/23/05 70 FR 8718 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Marcus Cohen, Regulatory Policy Analyst, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th St. & PA Ave., N.W., Room 2705, Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-2440 Email: mcohen@bis.doc.gov RIN: 0694-AD43 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Prerule Stage National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) _______________________________________________________________________ 378. [bull] DRAFT FEDERAL INFORMATION PROCESSING STANDARD (FIPS) 201, PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: HSPD 12; PL 107-347 CFR Citation: None Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The President tasked the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate, in accordance with applicable law, a Federal standard for secure and reliable forms of identification for Federal employees. The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201, Personal Identification Verification for Federal Employees and Contractors (FIPS 201) would specify the minimum necessary technical and operational requirements for such Federal identification credentials. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 11/23/04 69 FR 68128 Notice 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: William Barker, Computer Security Division, Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 Phone: 301 975-8443 Email: william.barker@nist.gov RIN: 0693-AB54 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Prerule Stage National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE ____________________________________________________ 379. [bull] AMERICAN LOBSTER FISHERY; FISHING EFFORT CONTROL MEASURES TO COMPLEMENT INTERSTATE LOBSTER MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 5101 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 697 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS announces that it is considering, and seeking public comment on, revisions to Federal American lobster regulations for the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) associated with effort control measures as recommended for Federal implementation by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) as outlined in the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster (ISFMP). This action will evaluate effort control measures in certain Lobster Conservation Management Areas including: limits on future access based on historic participation criteria; procedures to allow trap transfers among qualifiers and impose a trap reduction or conservation tax on any trap transfers; and, implement a trap reduction schedule to meet the goals of the ISFMP. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 06/00/05 [[Page 26690]] ANPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None URL For More Information: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/statefedoff URL For Public Comments: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/comments/index.html Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT31 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Proposed Rule Stage National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE ____________________________________________________ 380. AMENDMENT 12 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE CRUSTACEAN FISHERIES OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, September 2005, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: Amendment 12 to the Crustaceans FMP would establish the U.S. EEZs around the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Pacific remote island areas as crustaceans management areas and establish permit and reporting requirements for the crustacean fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AL67 _______________________________________________________________________ 381. AMENDMENT 7 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE BOTTOMFISH FISHERIES OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, October 2005, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: Amendment 7 to the Bottomfish FMP would close all Federal waters within 50 nm around Guam to bottomfish fishing vessels greater than 50 feet in length and establish permit and reporting requirements for these vessels. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AM98 _______________________________________________________________________ 382. AMENDMENT 18A TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE REEF FISH RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, February 2006, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: Amendment 18A would address several administrative, enforcement, and monitoring issues in the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery including: (1) the use of VMS (2) the use of reef fish as bait, (3) the simultaneous possession of commercial and charter vessel permits on a vessel, and (4) maximum crew size on a charter vessel when fishing commercially. Additionally, the amendment would address release gear and protocols for releasing sea turtles. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AN09 _______________________________________________________________________ 383. MEASURES TO PREVENT OR MITIGATE AND CONSERVE, MANAGE, AND ALLOW FULL UTILIZATION OF SHARKS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 [[Page 26691]] Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, March 2006, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: Implement Amendment 9 to the western Pacific pelagics FMP, which would establish trip limit for non-blue sharks in the Hawaii- based longline fishery, establish a new definition for bottom longline and prohibit its use in the Hawaiian Islands and other management measures to protect and conserve shark resources in the region. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 12/00/05 Final Action 02/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AN76 _______________________________________________________________________ 384. REGULATORY AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE GULF OF MEXICO BRD FRAMEWORK UNDER THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SHRIMP FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO (FMP) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, September 2005, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: In accordance with the FMP's framework procedure for regulatory adjustments, the Gulf Council requested that NMFS develop alternative data collection procedures and statistical tests to certify bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) for use in the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. The regulation would provide additional flexibility in sampling procedures to facilitate BRDs meeting the testing/certifying protocol's requirements while maintaining the scientific and statistical credibility in achieving the FMP's established bycatch reduction criterion for certified BRDs. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AN84 _______________________________________________________________________ 385. REVISION OF AMERICAN LOBSTER REGULATIONS FOR THE EEZ Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 5101 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 697 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: In accordance with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Act), 16 USC et seq., NMFS announces that it is considering, and seeking public comment on, revisions to Federal American lobster regulations for the Exclusive Economic Zone in response to recommendations from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to NMFS in Addenda II and III to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster (ISFMP). This action would develop regulations relative to Addendum III to the ISFMP, and combine those with Addendum II (ANPRM and NOI published May and September of 2001, respectively) into a single environmental impact statement. Addendum II management measures would include minimum gauge size increases in five of the seven Lobster Conservation Management Areas (LCMA), lobster trap gear modifications, a 4-year lobster trap reduction schedule for LCMA 3, and a logbook requirement for LCMA 3 lobster vessels. Addendum III would further modify Addendum II's gauge increase schedule and include new management measures for the majority of the LCMAs. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 05/24/01 66 FR 28726 ANPRM Comment Period End 06/25/01 ANPRM 09/05/02 67 FR 56800 ANPRM Comment Period End 10/07/02 NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Local, State Agency Contact: Thomas Meyer, Fisheries Biologist, Office of Intergovernmental/Recreational Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Suite 425, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 427-2014 RIN: 0648-AP18 _______________________________________________________________________ 386. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO IMPLEMENT PERMIT STACKING IN THE LIMITED- ENTRY FIXED-GEAR SABLEFISH FISHERY IN 2005 AND BEYOND Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, Final rule must be published 30 days after end of comment period on the proposed rule. Abstract: This regulatory amendment would implement the following Amendment 14 provisions: permit owners will be required to provide detailed ownership information to ensure that no person has ownership interest in or holds more than three permits; current permit owners who were not permit owners before November 1, 2000, will be required to be on board the vessel fishing against the sablefish cumulative limits [[Page 26692]] associated with that vessel's permit(s); vessels landing sablefish against their primary season limits will be required to contact enforcement officials before making sablefish landings; vessel owners wishing to freeze sablefish at sea will be required to provide proof of a history of freezing sablefish at sea in the years 1998, 1999, or 2000. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AP38 _______________________________________________________________________ 387. COMPREHENSIVE AMENDMENT ADDRESSING SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ACT REQUIREMENTS REGARDING OVERFISHING, BYCATCH, FISHING COMMUNITIES AND PROVISIONS FOR FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE CARIBBEAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, November 2005, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: NMFS amends its regulations to implement the Comprehensive Amendment Addressing the Sustainable Fisheries Act provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA) in the fishery management plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean. Specifically, the amendment includes actions to define fishery management units and sub-units; specifies biological reference points and stock status determination criteria; regulates fishing mortality; rebuilds overfished fisheries; conserves and protects yellowfin grouper; and achieves the MSFCMA bycatch mandates. Also incorporated into this FMP amendment are alternatives to describe and identify essential fish habitat (EFH), and alternatives to address adverse effects of fishing on EFH. The intended effect of this action is to ensure the stewardship of living marine resources for the benefit of the Nation. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 09/00/05 Final Action 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AP51 _______________________________________________________________________ 388. ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SQUID, AND BUTTERFISH FISHERIES; AMENDMENT 9 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of the end of the NPRM comment period. Abstract: Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries would establish a controlled access program for mackerel, address essential fish habitat, and revise the Illex quota procedures. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AP60 _______________________________________________________________________ 389. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATORY CHANGES RESULTING FROM THE AMENDMENTS AND EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC TUNA ACT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rulemaking would implement the regulatory changes resulting from the recently renegotiated Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America, as authorized under the South Pacific Tuna Act. These changes include the implementation of an electronic vessel monitoring system for U.S. purse seine vessels licensed to fish within the Treaty Area. The location information will be provided to the Forum Fisheries Agency, located in Honiara, Solomon Islands, as well as NOAA Fisheries. This rule would eliminate the prohibition of duly authorized U.S. longline vessels from fishing in the high seas areas within the Treaty Area. Additionally, it will impose minor modifications in the various reporting requirements, as well as modify the areas of fishing allowed in the exclusive economic zones of the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Pacific Islands Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 [[Page 26693]] Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700 Phone: 808 973-2985 RIN: 0648-AP61 _______________________________________________________________________ 390. AMENDMENT 71A TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GROUNDFISH FISHERY OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action will revise regulations governing the process under which a portion of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands quotas for groundfish, prohibited species, crab, and halibut are allocated to groups representing Western Alaska communities eligible for the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. The action also will revise administrative regulations for the economic development aspects of the CDQ Program. It will also allow the CDQ groups to invest in non- fisheries projects. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions, Organizations Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AP67 _______________________________________________________________________ 391. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO ADJUST PERMIT RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS AND TRANSFERABILITY RESTRICTIONS IN NWHI'S HOOMALU ZONE AND MAU LIMITED ACCESS PROGRAMS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This regulatory amendment under the Bottomfish FMP would remove annual landings requirement for permit renewal, revise permit transferability restrictions, establish permit eligibility for the Mau Zone, and establish a mechanism to facilitate permits through a community development program in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands bottomfish limited access programs. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Final Action 02/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 Related RIN: Merged with 0648-AK82 RIN: 0648-AQ20 _______________________________________________________________________ 392. FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES; NATIONAL STANDARD 1 Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS is considering revisions to the national standard guidelines for national standard 1 that specify criteria for determining overfishing and establishing rebuilding schedules. There have been concerns expressed by the scientific community, fisheries managers, the fishing industry, and environmental groups regarding the appropriateness of some aspects of these guidelines. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 02/14/03 68 FR 7492 ANPRM Comment Period End 03/17/03 Comment Period Extended 03/03/03 68 FR 9967 NPRM 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Millikin, Fishery Management Specialist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2341 RIN: 0648-AQ63 _______________________________________________________________________ 393. AMENDMENT 1 TO THE ATLANTIC HERRING FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement a limited access program, implement management measures to management area 1A, and make other adjustments to the Atlantic Herring FMP. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 04/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 05/00/06 Final Action 10/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AQ87 _______________________________________________________________________ 394. TURTLE MITIGATION FOR NON-HAWAII-BASED PELAGIC LONGLINE AND NON- LONGLINE VESSELS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This regulatory amendment under the western Pacific pelagics FMP [[Page 26694]] would establish the following sea turtle mitigation measures: gear and handling requirements, protected species workshop attendance, and shallow-setting restrictions for vessels registered for use with western Pacific longline general permits and non-longline vessels using hooks to target pelagic management unit species. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AQ91 _______________________________________________________________________ 395. AMENDMENT 62 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GROUNDFISH FISHERY OF THE GULF OF ALASKA AND AMENDMENT 62 TO THE FMP FOR THE GROUNDFISH FISHERY OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rulemaking would implement AFA single geographic location allowing AFA-qualified inshore floating processors the flexibility to relocate between reporting weeks rather than between fishing years for the purpose of processing targeted BSAI pollock. In addition, this rulemaking would address obsolete and inconsistent inshore/offshore language in both the BSAI and GOA groundfish FMPs and recommend removing the GOA inshore/offshore allocation sunset date. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR06 _______________________________________________________________________ 396. REGULATORY RULEMAKING TO REVISE ACCOUNTING FOR EXTERNALLY TAGGED HALIBUT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rulemaking would revise accounting procedures when deducting halibut catch from the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ). Only those halibut with external tags are excluded from IFQ quota deduction. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR09 _______________________________________________________________________ 397. CATCHER VESSEL ELECTRONIC REPORT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS revises it regulations to allow the operator of a catcher vessel the option of using an NMFS-approved electronic version of the logbook in place of the paper logbook. Currently, paper daily fishing logbooks are required from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet in length overall. Requirements for completion and submittal of the logbooks exist in the regulations at 50 CFR part 679. Recent advances in technology have allowed catcher vessels to use an electronic version of the logbook to record the required information. The current regulations would be changed to reflect the different options available to catcher vessels when submitting data. The use of the electronic logbooks would not be required by NMFS at this time. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR30 _______________________________________________________________________ 398. ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS FISHERIES IN THE EEZ; MODIFICATION OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1851 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 697 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS announces that it is considering, and seeking public comment on, revisions to Federal Atlantic striped bass regulations for the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in response to recommendations from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). The Commission recommended that the Secretary remove the moratorium on the harvest of Atlantic striped bass in the EEZ after a 13-year closure; implement a 28-inch minimum size [[Page 26695]] limit for the recreational and commercial Atlantic striped bass fisheries in the EEZ; and allow states the ability to adopt more restrictive rules for fishermen and vessels licensed in their jurisdiction. NMFS is soliciting comments with this notice regarding possible management measures and issues that NMFS should consider relative to these recommendations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 07/21/03 68 FR 43074 ANPRM Comment Period End 08/20/03 Comment Period Extended 08/26/03 68 FR 51232 Notice of Intent 10/20/03 68 FR 59906 NPRM 11/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Agency Contact: Thomas Meyer, Fisheries Biologist, Office of Intergovernmental/Recreational Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Suite 425, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 427-2014 RIN: 0648-AR33 _______________________________________________________________________ 399. AMENDMENT 13B TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SNAPPER- GROUPER FISHERY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 13B will: (1) Redefine, as needed, the snapper- grouper fishery management unit (FMU) and FMU sub-units; (2) define biomass-based estimates of biological reference points and status determination criteria for all stocks/complexes that comprise the FMU; (3) establish rebuilding schedules based on biomass-based estimates of status determination criteria for all overfished stocks/complexes in the FMU; (4) establish control rules and implement management measures, as needed, to end overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks; (5) review the implementation of the Logbook/Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program bycatch reporting program in the context of its consistency with the MSFCMA requirement to establish a standardized bycatch reporting methodology; (6) assess the practicability of additional bycatch reduction measures; and (7) assess the practicability of changes to the renewal period on commercial snapper- grouper permits. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 04/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AR38 _______________________________________________________________________ 400. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; AMENDMENTS TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ATLANTIC TUNAS, SWORDFISH, AND SHARKS AND THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ATLANTIC BILLFISH Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule will address numerous issues for the Atlantic tunas, swordfish, shark,and billfish fisheries. These issues include reviewing data for updates as part of a five-year review of essential fish habitat; considering workshops to reduce bycatch and bycatch mortality, increase regulatory compliance, and increase communication with fishermen; reviewing current time/area closures and the need for modifications; preventing overfishing of finetooth sharks and albacore tuna; adjusting bluefin tuna effort controls and quota allocations to improve management; considering changes to the fishing year definition and currently authorized gear types; and strengthening measures to reduce billfish mortality across all highly migratory species fisheries. This rule will also consider combining the two fishery management plans into one document. This action would affect fishermen fishing for highly migratory species in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Many of the actions in this rule will simplify or improve the management of the fisheries to help fishermen understand the regulations and the management process. Other actions in this rule could change quota allocations, but would not likely change overall quotas. Additionally, while the actions may establish new requirements, such as workshops, or modify existing requirements, such as the time/ area closures, the actions are not expected to reduce the number of people fishing for highly migratory species. Some actions, for example, modifications to time/area closures, could have negative or positive economic impacts, depending on the extent of the changes needed. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 Related RIN: Merged with 0648-AR61 RIN: 0648-AR60 [[Page 26696]] _______________________________________________________________________ 401. FULL RETENTION AND MONITORING PROGRAM IN THE SHOREBASED PACIFIC WHITING FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) at their October 21 to 25, 1996, meeting in San Francisco, California addressed the treatment and disposition of salmon in the groundfish trawl fisheries, specifically the shore-based whiting fishery. At that meeting, the Pacific Council discussed the retention of salmon in the shore-based whiting fishery and took action to maintain a viable shore- based whiting fishery by using exempted fishing permits (EFPs). These EFPs allowed the shore-based whiting fleet to temporarily deliver unsorted catch to processing plants and provided for the monitoring of incidentally taken salmon until a permanent monitoring program could be implemented. In keeping with the Pacific Council's recommendation, NMFS is proceeding with implementing a monitoring program for the shore- based whiting fishery. This action will aid in the sustainable management of Pacific Coast salmon and groundfish fisheries while providing an important economic opportunity to those associated with the harvest, processing, and selling of whiting taken by the shore- based whiting fleet. The need for implementing a permanent monitoring program in the shore-based Pacific whiting fishery is to provide for a full retention fishery by enabling the shore-based whiting fleet, comprised exclusively of catcher vessels, to deliver unsorted catch to processing plants. This practice is necessary to ensure that whiting landings are of market quality, while abiding by Federal groundfish regulations and those implementing the Pacific Coast salmon and groundfish fishery management plans (FMPs). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AR63 _______________________________________________________________________ 402. AMENDMENT 8 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE BOTTOMFISH FISHERIES OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 8 would establish bottomfish management areas in Federal waters around the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Pacific Remote Island Areas, add 48 bottomfish management unit species, and establish permit and reporting requirements. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AR65 _______________________________________________________________________ 403. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO ADD AND REVISE CERTAIN SPECIES CODES IN 50 CFR 679 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This regulatory amendment would add or revise species codes to an existing collection. These changes are done in coordination with Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The species codes currently in use are presented in table 2 to part 679. Code 112, Pacific hake, would be added because fishermen in the EEZ off the coast of Alaska are now catching more of this fish species and need a way to document the weight. Code 702, Big Skate, would be added because State of Alaska and NMFS management need to identify the catch of this species specifically rather than in the miscellaneous code 700, General Skates. Code 932, Opilio Tanner Crab, would be renamed as Snow Tanner Crab because this revised name is more common among the fishing industry. These changes in the species codes are not controversial and are expected to be supported by all interested entities. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR67 _______________________________________________________________________ 404. AMENDMENT 72 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GROUNDFISH OF THE GULF OF ALASKA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would eliminate an existing requirement under the Improved Retention/Improved Utilization (IR/IU) program that groundfish fisheries retain shallow water flatfish in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action may relieve some harvesting and utilization restrictions [[Page 26697]] on GOA groundfish harvesting and processing operations. It follows a parallel action taken in the BSAI to relieve those groundfish fisheries from requirements to retain all IR/IU flatfish species. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR72 _______________________________________________________________________ 405. REVISIONS TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF EXEMPTED FISHING AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS amends the regulations at 50 CFR 600.745. The action is intended to provide clearer guidance to the public for obtaining appropriate acknowledgments and permits and to facilitate the timely conduct of research to address bycatch and habitat issues in the fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AR78 _______________________________________________________________________ 406. GEAR IDENTIFICATION MARKINGS ON BUOYS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would revise requirements for markings on buoys as described at 679.24(a) by removing the requirement to mark the vessel's name on all hook and line, longline pot, and pot and line marker buoys carried on board or used by any vessel regulated by 50 CFR part 679. The buoys could then be marked with either the vessel's Federal fisheries permit number or the vessel's ADF&G vessel registration number. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 12/00/05 Final Action 02/00/06 Final Action Effective 03/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR90 _______________________________________________________________________ 407. FISH AND SEAFOOD PROMOTION ACT Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 4001 to 4017 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 270 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: In 1989, NOAA issued a final rule implementing the Fish and Seafood Promotion Act of 1986 (Act), as it pertains to seafood marketing councils for one or more species of fish or fish products. The rule was stricken from the Code of Federal Regulations as part of a Presidential regulatory reform effort along with a large number of other rules and regulations unused or little used. In light of evidence that seafood marketing councils may be a valuable tool in the near future NOAA now plans to reissue this rule which governs the establishment and operations of such councils. This rule is intended to implement the Act. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Gordon Helm, Deputy Director, Office of Constituent Affairs, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2379 RIN: 0648-AS09 _______________________________________________________________________ 408. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO MODIFY SEVERAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT ELEMENTS OF THE CDQ PROGRAM Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This regulatory amendment would modify several fishery management elements of the CDQ Program, including: how to address which annual CDQ reserves should be allocated among CDQ groups; relaxing strict quota accountability standards; and determining a means to accommodate changes made in the annual specifications process to preexisting CDQ percentage allocations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, [[Page 26698]] Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS13 _______________________________________________________________________ 409. AMENDMENT 13 TO FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SHRIMP FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO, U.S. WATERS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is developing Amendment 13 to establish a permitting system for the royal red shrimp fishery that is complementary to the existing permit system for the penaeid shrimp fishery. In accordance with requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Amendment also will establish or revise stock status thresholds and targets including MSY, OY, as well as the ``overfished'' and ``overfishing'' definitions for the shrimp species in the management unit, and a bycatch reporting methodology. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS15 _______________________________________________________________________ 410. AMENDMENT 6 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SHRIMP FISHERY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is developing Amendment 6 to refine and revise the management strategy for the various shrimp stocks. A permitting and reporting system will be established for the shrimp fishery of the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone. In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the amendment will revise or establish stock status thresholds and targets including MSY, OY, as well as the ``overfished'' and ``overfishing'' definitions for the shrimp species in the management unit. Additional actions will address bycatch reduction in the fisheries, as well as establish bycatch reporting requirements. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 03/07/05 70 FR 10931 Comment Period End 05/06/05 NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS16 _______________________________________________________________________ 411. AMENDMENT 14 TO THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management would revise the allocation of summer flounder quota. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 04/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 05/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS22 _______________________________________________________________________ 412. AMENDMENT 1 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE TILEFISH FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Tilefish Fishery would implement Individual Transferable Quotas in the tilefish fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 02/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS25 [[Page 26699]] _______________________________________________________________________ 413. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO ESTABLISH MEASURES AUTHORIZING THE OPTIONAL USE OF ELECTRONIC LOGBOOK FORMS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC FISHERIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, March 2006, Final, Statutory, Final regulations must be published within 30 days of NPRM comment period. Abstract: This regulatory amendment, under the western Pacific Pelagics FMP, would allow fishermen the option of using logbook forms in substitution of paper logbook forms for Federal data recording and reporting requirements. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 01/00/06 Final Action 02/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AS29 _______________________________________________________________________ 414. MEASURES TO REDUCE INTERACTIONS WITH SEABIRDS IN THE HAWAII-BASED LONGLINE FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This regulatory amendment under the western Pacific pelagics FMP would revise current seabird interaction mitigation measures governing the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery that may include longline gear side-setting methods, as well as other equally or more effective measures, to reduce the take of seabirds. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AS30 _______________________________________________________________________ 415. AMENDMENT 6 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PRECIOUS CORALS FISHERIES OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, Final, Statutory, Final regulations must be published within 30 days of NPRM comment period. Abstract: Amendment 6 to the Precious Corals FMP would designate the U.S. EEZ around the Northern Mariana Islands as an exploratory X-P-C and establish permit and reporting requirements, and harvest quota. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AS31 _______________________________________________________________________ 416. FRAMEWORK 1 TO THE RED CRAB FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This framework would implement a multi-year specification process for the deep sea red crab fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS35 _______________________________________________________________________ 417. FEE SYSTEM FOR REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN TO HARVESTERS OF PACIFIC GROUNDFISH FISHERY AND CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON, AND OREGON FISHERIES FOR DUNGENESS CRAB AND PINK SHRIMP Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1861 a(b) to 1861 a(e) CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action implements a fee system for repayment of the fishing capacity reduction loans in the Pacific coast groundfish fishery and California, Oregon, and Washington dungeness crab and pink shrimp fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/16/04 69 FR 67100 NPRM Comment Period End 12/16/04 Second NPRM 04/08/05 70 FR 17949 Second NPRM Comment Period End 05/09/05 Review of Comments 06/00/05 [[Page 26700]] Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Agency Contact: Michael L. Grable, Chief, Financial Services Division, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2390 Email: michael.grable@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS38 _______________________________________________________________________ 418. FEE SYSTEM FOR REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN TO HARVESTORS OF BERING SEA/ ALEUTIAN ISLANDS KING AND TANNER CRABS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1861a; 46 USC 1279f; PL 106-554 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement a fee system for repayment of the fishing capacity reduction loans in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands king and tanner crab fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Michael L. Grable, Chief, Financial Services Division, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2390 Email: michael.grable@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS46 _______________________________________________________________________ 419. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); REDUCING SEA TURTLE TAKES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend the regulations governing the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery based upon a June 1, 2004, Biological Opinion regarding Atlantic sea turtles. This amendment could include framework mechanisms that would allow the Agency to take action, such as partial or rolling closures or gear or effort restrictions, if the number of sea turtle interactions or mortalities exceed anticipated levels during a certain period of time. This action would not change established quotas for target species and is not expected to change overall effort in the fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 08/12/04 69 FR 49858 ANPRM Comment Period End 10/12/04 NPRM 08/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AS49 _______________________________________________________________________ 420. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPTIMUM YIELD AND HARVEST LIMIT FOR PACIFIC MACKEREL Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, July 1, 2005. Abstract: NMFS announces the annual harvest guideline for Pacific mackerel in the exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast. The Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its implementing regulations require NMFS to set an annual harvest guideline for Pacific mackerel based on a formula in the FMP. The intended effect of this action is to establish allowable harvest levels for Pacific mackerel off the Pacific coast and to minimize the impact on other coastal pelagic fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AS59 _______________________________________________________________________ 421. ESTABLISH MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS BOTTOMFISH FISHERY UNDER THE WESTERN PACIFIC BOTTOMFISH AND SEAMOUNT GROUNDFISH FMP Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, February 2005. Final, Statutory, April 2005. Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: This regulatory amendment under the western Pacific Bottomfish/Seamount Groundfish FMP would establish measures including limits on bottomfish harvest, reporting requirements, area closures, and gear vessel restrictions in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 01/00/06 Final Action 04/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, [[Page 26701]] Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AS63 _______________________________________________________________________ 422. REVISE PRECIOUS CORAL MEASURES TO INCREASE THE PROTECTION OF BLACK CORAL RESOURCES IN HAWAII Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, February 2005. Final, Statutory, May 2005. Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: This regulatory amendment under the western Pacific Precious Corals FMP would revise the minimum harvest size for black corals and other measures to protect and conserve Hawaii black corals. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Final Action 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AS64 _______________________________________________________________________ 423. GENERIC AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FOR REGULATIONS OF OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE OF SELECTED FISH Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would: (1) Summarize existing Gulf Federal statutes, programs and rules that apply to aquaculture of fish and marine organisms in waters of the EEZ; (2) list the fishery stocks that may be cultured in an aquaculture program; (3) discuss the environmental and other effects of the various aquaculture practices; (4) establish a permitting with conditions and requirements for permit issuance and renewal; (5) establish allowable marine aquaculture systems; (6) establish additional regulations to aid in the enforcement of marine aquaculture activities; and (7) consider designating areas for siting aquaculture facilities. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 03/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS65 _______________________________________________________________________ 424. GENERIC AMENDMENT FOR ADDRESSING ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT REQUIREMENTS, HABITAT AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN, AND GEAR RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, April 2005. Final, Statutory, June 2005. Abstract: This action would amend all seven of the Council's fishery management plans and proposes alternatives that will: (1) Describe and identify essential fish habitat (EFH) and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) for all species and life stages in the fishery management unit of the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing gear or activities on EFH. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS66 _______________________________________________________________________ 425. AMENDMENT 25 TO THE REEF FISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE REEF FISH RESOURCES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 25 would address whether to allow the current moratorium on the issuance of charter vessel/headboat (recreational for-hire) permits to expire on June 16, 2006, to extend the moratorium for a finite period (5 or 10 years), or replace the moratorium with a limited access system. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 [[Page 26702]] Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS68 _______________________________________________________________________ 426. AMENDMENT 24 TO THE REEF FISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE REEF FISH RESOURCES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 24 would address whether to allow the current moratorium on the issuance of reef fish permits to expire on December 31, 2005, and the reef fish fishery to revert to open access, to extend the moratorium for a finite period (5 or 10 years), or to replace the moratorium with a limited access system. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 04/06/05 70 FR 17401 NPRM Comment Period End 06/06/05 NPRM 04/23/05 70 FR 21170 NPRM Comment Period End 06/09/05 Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS69 _______________________________________________________________________ 427. AMENDMENT 17 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTH ATLANTIC Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 17 would address whether to allow the current moratorium on the issuance of charter vessel/headboat (recreational for-hire) permits to expire on June 16, 2006, or to extend the moratorium for a finite period (5 or 10 years), or replace the moratorium with a limited access system. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS70 _______________________________________________________________________ 428. ESTABLISH MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC SQUID FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Under an amendment to the Western Pacific Pelagics FMP, pelagic squid would be designated as a management unit species and measures would be established, governing the pelagic squid fishery in western Pacific region. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AS71 _______________________________________________________________________ 429. AMENDMENT TO REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE ANTARCTIC MARINE LIVING RESOURCES CONVENTION ACT OF 1984 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 2431 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300 subpart G Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This amendment to regulations for Antarctic Marine Living Resources implements measures adopted by the parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: John Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-1917 Email: john.dunnigan@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS75 _______________________________________________________________________ 430. INDIVIDUAL FISHING QUOTA PROGRAM; RESTRUCTURE DATE-SPECIFIC QUOTA SHARE REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 773 to 773k; 16 USC 1801; 16 USC 3631 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679; 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would restructure date-specific regulations governing the halibut U.S. Individual Fishing Quota fishery to reference a time, relative to the season opening and closing dates, when operational events should occur relative to certain fishing season milestones. This action is necessary to provide the International Pacific [[Page 26703]] Halibut Commission (IPHC) with flexibility to adjust fishing season durations and time periods to meet fishery management needs. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS77 _______________________________________________________________________ 431. CORRECT AND CLARIFY AMENDMENT 13 TO THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action makes corrections and clarifications to the final rule implementing Amendment 13, as well as previous groundfish actions. These corrections are administrative in nature and are intended to correct inaccurate references and other inadvertent errors and to clarify specific regulations to maintain consistency with the intent of Amendment 13. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS80 _______________________________________________________________________ 432. [bull] HALIBUT AND SABLEFISH IFQ PROGRAM AMENDMENTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 773 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300; 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The proposed action would amend regulations for the Halibut and Sablefish IFQ Program by: (1) Instituting an emergency medical transfer program; (2) tightening criteria for the use of hired masters; (3) adding vessel clearance requirements to the sablefish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; (4) changing product recovery rates for sablefish; (5) adjusting the halibut QS block program; and (6) amending vessel classification QS use allowances. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS84 _______________________________________________________________________ 433. [bull] FMP FOR THE SCALLOP FISHERY OFF ALASKA AMENDMENT 10 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 773; 16 USC 1801; 16 USC 3631 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rulemaking would modify the gear endorsements under the a license limitation program (scallop LLP) for the scallop fishery. The LLP limits access to the commercial scallop fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Alaska. This rulemaking would change the 6-foot dredge restriction endorsement in the scallop LLP to two 10-foot dredge (or two dredges with a combined width of 20 ft) restriction endorsement. This change would allow two LLP holders with the current endorsement to fish in federal waters outside Cook Inlet with a maximum of two ten-foot dredges. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ PR/Notice of Availability 03/24/05 70 FR 15063 NOA/Comment Period End 05/23/05 NPRM 04/13/05 70 FR 19409 NPRM Comment Period End 05/31/05 Final Action 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS90 _______________________________________________________________________ 434. [bull] FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES AND IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC; WEST COAST SALMON FISHERIES; AMENDMENT 14; ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT (EFH) DESCRIPTIONS FOR PACIFIC SALMON Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement Amendment 14 to the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP) to identify and describe Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Pacific salmon. The intent of this rule is to codify the EFH identifications and descriptions for freshwater and marine habitats of Pacific salmon managed under the Salmon FMP, including Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon in Washington, Oregon, and California. In addition, the intent of this rule is to comply with the October 1, 2003, court order of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, and to promote the conservation and enhancement of Pacific salmon EFH. [[Page 26704]] Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AS96 _______________________________________________________________________ 435. [bull] AREA 4C/4D SELECTIVE IFQ/CDQ BOUNDARY PERMEABILITY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 773 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300; 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would allow holders of Area 4C halibut Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) and Community Development Quota (CDQ) to harvest such halibut IFQ/CDQ in Area 4D. Currently, halibut IFQ and CDQ allocated in a particular area may only be harvested in that same area, in accordance with biomass-based quotas, except that halibut CDQ (only) allocated in Area 4D may be harvested in Area 4E. This action would also allow additional fishing opportunities to attain the assigned Area 4C IFQ and CDQ quotas for two Pribilof Island communities (St. Paul and St. George) in Area 4C, which are managed by two CDQ groups. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AT03 _______________________________________________________________________ 436. [bull] AMENDMENT 79 TO THE FMP FOR THE GROUNDFISH FISHERY OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS MANAGEMENT AREA ESTABLISHING A GROUNDFISH RETENTION STANDARD Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 3631; 16 USC 773-773k CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The rule implementing Amendment 79 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Groundfish FMP would establish a groundfish retention standard (GRS) for non-AFA catcher/processors that are 125 ft or greater in length overall (LOA). This rule would establish a year-round GRS of 75 percent in 2006 (that is, vessels would be required to retain at least 75 percent of their groundfish catch in the initial year of the program); 80 percent in 2007; and 85 percent in 2008. This action is intended to further minimize discards in the BSAI. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AT04 _______________________________________________________________________ 437. [bull] FRAMEWORK ADJUSTMENT 41 TO THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would allow greater participation in the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program approved under Framework Adjustment 40 A to the Northeast Multispecies FMP. Specifically, limited access vessels would be able to use Category B DAS to target healthy stocks of groundfish (haddock) in an area previously closed to fishing. The intended effect of this action would be to provide fishing opportunities that would mitigate some of the negative economic and social impacts caused by the effort reductions in Amendment 13. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT08 _______________________________________________________________________ 438. [bull] IDENTIFY AND MANAGE ALASKA FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR EFH AND HAPC Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: Final, Judicial, August 13, 2006, Court settlement deadline. Abstract: This rulemaking would identify essential fish habitat (EFH) and habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) in Alaska waters and implement management measures for the conservation of these areas. Portions of EFH have been established as management areas, HAPC, and zones where fishing activities would be restricted. Vessels fishing in the Aleutian Islands subarea would also be required to carry vessel monitoring systems. The implementation of these regulations is necessary to comply with a national court settlement regarding EFH. [[Page 26705]] Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AT09 _______________________________________________________________________ 439. [bull] FRAMEWORK ADJUSTMENT 17 TO THE ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Framework Adjustment 17 would revise a provision included in the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that allows vessels to terminate special access area trips early for unforeseen events. The revised provision eliminates an automatic charge and associated reduction in possession limit by allowing vessels to resume trips into the special access areas without loss of allowed scallop possession limit. Framework Adjustment 17 would also require that all vessels issued open access, General Category scallop permits that intend to land more than 40 pounds of scallops be equipped with electronic vessel monitoring systems to allow fishing activity to be monitored and tracked for enforcement and fishery evaluation purposes. General Category scallop vessels operating vessel monitoring systems would be allowed to turn off the vessel monitoring systems if the vessel does not have any scallops on board and while the vessel is secured to a fixed dock or mooring Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT10 _______________________________________________________________________ 440. [bull] AMENDMENT 11 TO THE COASTAL PELAGIC SPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, September 2005. Final, Statutory, December 2005. Abstract: Amendment 11 would implement a comprehensive, long-term allocation framework for annual apportionment of the Pacific sardine harvest guideline. Objectives of the action would include ensuring optimal utilization of the resource and equitably allocating harvest opportunity. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Final Action 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AT11 _______________________________________________________________________ 441. [bull] REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO THE REEF FISH MANAGEMENT PLAN TO SET RED GROUPER TAC AND SHALLOW-WATER GROUPER MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE 2006-2008 SEASONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: On July 15, 2004, Secretarial Amendment 1 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan was implemented and established a red grouper rebuilding plan made retroactive to 2003. The purpose of this regulatory amendment is to evaluate total allowable catch (TAC) increases for the 2006-2008 period in accordance with the projected red grouper rebuilding trajectories. In 2004, the commercial grouper fishery experienced quota closures for the first time. NMFS, in working with industry and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, established trip limits through an emergency rule in March 2005 to postpone the quota closure. Thus, the regulatory amendment additionally evaluates grouper trip limit alternatives to postpone quota closures during the fishing season as seen in 2004. This amendment would make the trip limits permanent. Finally, the regulatory amendment evaluates the effect of unexpectedly high recreational landings in 2004 and will develop measures to constrain the recreational harvest to levels consistent with the rebuilding plan. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 02/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AT12 _______________________________________________________________________ 442. [bull] TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE ATLANTIC COAST RED DRUM RESOURCE FROM THE SOUTH Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq [[Page 26706]] CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The rule will revoke the federal Atlantic Coast Red Drum Fishery Management Plan under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and transfer management authority from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission under the auspices of the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Management Act. This action will maintain the prohibition on possession and harvest of red drum in the Exclusive Economic Zone. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AT13 _______________________________________________________________________ 443. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2006 ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SQUID, AND BUTTERFISH FISHERIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would establish specifications for the 2006 fishing year for the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT19 _______________________________________________________________________ 444. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2006 ATLANTIC BLUEFISH FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement specifications for the 2006 fishing year for the Atlantic bluefish fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT20 _______________________________________________________________________ 445. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2006 ATLANTIC HERRING FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would establish specifications for the Atlantic herring fishery for the 2006 fishing year. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT21 _______________________________________________________________________ 446. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2006 MONKFISH FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would establish specifications for the 2006 fishing year for the Monkfish fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 02/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT22 _______________________________________________________________________ 447. [bull] FRAMEWORK 42 TO THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would make biennial adjustments for the Northeast multispecies fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 02/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and [[Page 26707]] Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT24 _______________________________________________________________________ 448. [bull] FRAMEWORK 18 TO THE ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would make biennial adjustments to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT25 _______________________________________________________________________ 449. [bull] FRAMEWORK 16 TO THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Framework 16 would provide alternatives for use of recreational data in setting specifications and to allow regional conservation equivalency. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT26 _______________________________________________________________________ 450. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2006 FISHING YEAR FOR THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action will establish specifications for the 2006 fishing year for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT27 _______________________________________________________________________ 451. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2006 RECREATIONAL FISHERIES FOR SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement the specifications for the 2006 fishing year for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 02/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 03/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT28 _______________________________________________________________________ 452. [bull] FRAMEWORK 1 TO THE SPINY DOGFISH FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Framework 1 would provide for multiple year specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AT29 _______________________________________________________________________ 453. [bull] WEST COAST HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES, CORRECTING AMENDMENT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, August 2005, Final rule must be published within 60 days of end of comment period on the proposed rule. Abstract: This rule will make clarifications and corrections to the final rules published to implement the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/05 [[Page 26708]] Final Action 09/00/05 Final Action Effective 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AT32 _______________________________________________________________________ 454. [bull] RESTRICTIONS FOR 2005 PURSE SEINE AND LONGLINE FISHERIES IN THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 951 to961 and 971 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, July 1, 2005, agreement under IATTC. Abstract: NMFS announces the 2005 conservation and management measures for international tuna fisheries in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. These are a six-week closure of purse seine fisheries and a closure of any national longline fishery which reaches a catch level for bigeye tuna equal to the catch made by that fleet in 2001. The intended effect of the rule is to establish prohibition of U.S. vessels purse seine fishing for tuna in the IATTC Convention Area for the November 20 to December 31 period and to announce that the U.S. longline fishery in the Convention Area will be closed if the catch in 2005 reaches the catch level of 2001. This will conform to the IATTC recommendation that was approved by the Department of State. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Final Action 07/00/05 Final Action Effective 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AT33 _______________________________________________________________________ 455. [bull] LIMITED ENTRY PROGRAM FOR LONGLINE AND DRIFT GILLNET VESSELS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, November 2005, Final rule must be published within 60 days of end of comment period on the proposed rule. Abstract: This rule will establish a limited entry program and associated management measures for vessels fishing with longline and drift gillnet gear under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Highly Migratory Species. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Final Action 11/00/05 Final Action Effective 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AT35 _______________________________________________________________________ 456. TAKING AND IMPORTING MARINE MAMMALS: TAKING MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO CONDUCTING OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1371(a)(5)(A) CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216.101 to 216.108 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service has received an application from the U.S. Minerals Management Service for regulations under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to authorize the taking of marine mammals incidental to conducting oil and gas exploration activities by U.S. citizens in the Gulf of Mexico. Without this authorization, the taking of marine mammals is prohibited by the MMPA. In order to authorize the taking and issue authorizations, NMFS must, through regulations, determine that the proposed activity will have no more than a negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Kenneth R. Hollingshead, Fishery Biologist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20912 Phone: 301 713-2055 Email: ken.hollingshead@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AQ71 _______________________________________________________________________ 457. TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS; ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN REGULATIONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 224 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement modifications of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP). The ALWTRP was developed pursuant to section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The commercial fishery requirements provided in this rule are intended to implement the additional requirements recommended by the [[Page 26709]] Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team and NMFS. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Federalism: This action may have federalism implications as defined in EO 13132. Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS01 _______________________________________________________________________ 458. RIGHT WHALE SHIP STRIKE REDUCTION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 224 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations are to implement a strategy to reduce the known mortalities to North Atlantic right whales as a result of collisions with vessels, which account for more confirmed right whale deaths than any other human-related activity. The strategy addresses the lack of recovery of the endangered North Atlantic right whale by reducing the likelihood and threat of ship strike mortalities to the species. NMFS has developed a framework of proposed, new operational measures for the shipping industry as an element of this strategy, including consideration of routing and speed restrictions. These operational measures would be limited to areas and times when North Atlantic right whales and ships overlap to reduce the likelihood of ship strikes to the extent practicable. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 06/01/04 69 FR 30857 ANPRM Comment Period Extended 07/09/04 69 FR 41446 ANPRM Comment Period Extended 09/13/04 69 FR 55135 NPRM 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal URL For More Information: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pr2 Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS36 _______________________________________________________________________ 459. [bull] SEA TURTLE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL SCALLOP FISHING Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 to 1543; 16 USC 1361 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS is preparing a rule to require sea turtle conservation measures for all scallop vessels fishing in the mid-Atlantic from May 1 through November 30 each year. Implemented under the Endangered Species Act, the purpose of this rulemaking is to minimize the take of sea turtles in scallop gear. This rule would require all scallop vessels, regardless of size or permit category, to modify their dredge(s) when fishing south of 41 deg. 9.0' N. latitude, from the shoreline to the Exclusive Economic Zone. All dredges used for fishing must be modified with evenly spaced ``tickler'' chains and ``vertical'' (up-and-down) chains with the configuration dependent on the size of the dredge frame width. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: State Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS92 _______________________________________________________________________ 460. [bull] TAKING MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO OPERATION OF OFFSHORE OIL PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN BEAUFORT SEA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1371 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 200 to 210 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NOAA Fisheries is amending its regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to operations at the Northstar oil production facility in the U.S. Beaufort Sea off Alaska. These revised regulations authorize the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of six species of marine mammals in the event that such taking occurred during the operation of the Northstar facility. Takings are limited to harassment and no injury or mortality of marine mammals is anticipated. Potential effects on native subsistence could result also from direct actions of oil development upon the biological resources or from associated changes in human behavior. As a result, in compliance with regulations, mitigation measures have been implemented that mitigates impacts on subsistence uses of marine resources. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 Related RIN: Related to 0648-AM09 RIN: 0648-AS98 [[Page 26710]] _______________________________________________________________________ 461. [bull] PROPOSED THREATENED STATUS FOR SOUTHERN DISTINCT POPULATION SEGMENT OF NORTH AMERICAN GREEN STURGEON Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 to 1543; 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Judicial, April 1, 2005, District Court remanded ``not warranted'' determination to NMFS. Due to a court remand of our ``not warranted'' determination. Abstract: This is a rule to list the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of green sturgeon as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We conclude that the Southern DPS is not endangered because of actions being taken that provide some possible benefits to the DPS. However, the Southern DPS is threatened based on: (1) The reduction of potential spawning habitat; (2) the threats to the single remaining spawning population remaining severe and unlikely to be sufficiently alleviated by conservation measures currently in place; and (3) the downward trend of sturgeon salvage estimates from State (1968-2003) and Federal (1980-2003) facilities. The Northern DPS is neither endangered nor threatened, but remaining uncertainties have led us to retain the DPS on the ``species of concern'' list. Section 4(d) provides that the Secretary shall issue such regulations as he deems necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of threatened species. We intend to publish a regulation under section 4(d) for the conservation of the Southern DPS of green sturgeon. We also may designate critical habitat, as long as we find that it is both prudent and determinable. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 04/06/05 70 FR 17386 NPRM Comment Period End 07/05/05 Final Action 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AT02 _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE/OFFICE OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ____________________________________________________ 462. NORTHWEST HAWAIIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY; DESIGNATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATIONS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: PL 106-513; 16 USC 1431 et seq CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The National Marine Sanctuaries Program, together with state and federal partners and other stakeholders, designate the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as a national marine sanctuary and implement regulations that best reflects the goals and objectives of the proposed sanctuary. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State Federalism: This action may have federalism implications as defined in EO 13132. Agency Contact: Ted Beuttler, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, SSMC4, Room 6111, East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2967 Email: ted.beuttler@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS83 _______________________________________________________________________ 463. [bull] GULF OF THE FARALLONES NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1434; 16 USC 1439 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 (H) Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend the existing regulations and designation document, and add several new prohibitions to address specific resource management issues in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Maria Brown, Manager, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Fort Mason, Building 201, San Francisco, CA 94123 Phone: 415 561-6622 Fax: 415 561-6616 Email: maria.brown@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AT14 _______________________________________________________________________ 464. [bull] MONETARY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1434; 16 USC 1439 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 (M) Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend the existing regulations and designation document, and add several new prohibitions to address specific resource management issues in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No [[Page 26711]] Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: William J. Douros, Superintendent, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 299 Foam Street, Monterey, CA 93940 Phone: 831 647-4201 Fax: 831 647-4250 Email: william.douros@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AT15 _______________________________________________________________________ 465. [bull] CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1434; 16 USC 1439 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 (G) Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend the existing regulations and designation document to address specific resource management issues in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Christopher Mobley, Superintendent, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, 113 Harbor Way, Suite 150, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 Phone: 805 966-7107 Fax: 805 568-1582 Email: chris.mobley@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AT17 _______________________________________________________________________ 466. [bull] CONSIDERATION OF MARINE RESERVES AND MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS WITHIN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1434; 16 USC 1439 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 (G) Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend the existing regulations and designation document for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. This action, which would complement existing marine protected areas designated by the State of California, seeks to further protect sanctuary resources by regulating certain extractive activities within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Christopher Mobley, Superintendent, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, 113 Harbor Way, Suite 150, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 Phone: 805 966-7107 Fax: 805 568-1582 Email: chris.mobley@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AT18 _______________________________________________________________________ OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR ____________________________________________________ 467. [bull] LICENSING OF PRIVATE LAND REMOTE-SENSING SPACE SYSTEMS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 15 USC 5621 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 960 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) amends its regulations governing the licensing of private Earth remote sensing space systems under title II of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 (the Act). The amendments update the regulations to reflect: (1) The new U.S. policy on commercial remote sensing issued in April 2003, (2) experience gained since August 2000 with respect to the licensing of commercial remote sensing space systems, and (3) improvements that take into account public comments received on the regulations. This rule will allow NOAA to more effectively license Earth remote sensing space systems and help to ensure their compliance with the requirements of the Act. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Glenn E. Tallia, Senior Counselor for Atmospheric and Space Services and Research, NOAA, GC, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA GCW, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 15861, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-1337 Fax: 301 713-1494 RIN: 0648-AT00 _______________________________________________________________________ 468. [bull] CORDELL BANK NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1434; 16 USC 1439 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 (K) Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would amend the existing regulations and designation document to address specific resource management issues in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Dan Howard, Manager, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, P. O. Box 159, Olema, CA 94950 Phone: 415 663-0314 Fax: 415 663-0315 Email: dan.howard@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AT16 [[Page 26712]] _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Final Rule Stage National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE ____________________________________________________ 469. REQUIRE MANDATORY OBSERVER COVERAGE IN THE AT-SEA PROCESSING SECTOR OF THE WHITING FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, May 2006, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period. Abstract: This action amends the regulations implementing the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery management plan to provide for a mandatory, vessel-financed observer program on at-sea processing vessels. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/10/03 68 FR 53334 NPRM Comment Period End 10/10/03 Interim Final Rule 06/07/04 69 FR 31751 Interim Final Rule Comment Period End 07/07/04 Final Action 04/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AK26 _______________________________________________________________________ 470. PROPOSED HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES PROCESS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 971 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS revises the administrative procedures it follows to prepare and issue highly migratory species (HMS) fishery management plans (FMPs), FMP amendments and implementing regulations for the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea in response to recent amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management Act. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/18/97 62 FR 48990 NPRM Comment Period End 10/15/97 To Be Withdrawn 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-1917 Email: john.dunnigan@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AK40 _______________________________________________________________________ 471. AMENDMENT 2 TO MONKFISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 2 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan would address essential fish habitat and bycatch issues and revise the management program. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/14/05 70 FR 2586 NPRM Comment Period End 02/14/05 Comment Period Extended 02/24/05 70 FR 9029 Comment Period Extended 02/24/05 70 FR 9029 NPRM Comment Period Extended 03/07/05 Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AQ25 _______________________________________________________________________ 472. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES: BILLFISH AND SWORDFISH RECREATIONAL FISHING Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 971 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would implement domestic management measures based upon recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) regarding billfish and swordfish. The rule would limit domestic recreational landings of Atlantic blue and white marlin to 250 fish, combined, on an annual basis. Also, the rule would provide for adjustments for any landings above or below the annual cap to the following year's recreational marlin landings cap. The Atlantic blue and white marlin measures are necessary to comply with ICCAT obligations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/17/03 68 FR 54410 NPRM Comment Period End 10/24/03 Final Action 11/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AQ65 _______________________________________________________________________ 473. AMENDMENT 11 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE PELAGIC FISHERIES OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION (AMERICAN SAMOA LONGLINE LIMITED ACCESS PERMIT PROGRAM) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 [[Page 26713]] Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 11 would establish a limited access program for the pelagic longline fishery for the EEZ around American Samoa. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 06/23/04 69 FR 34988 NPRM 07/22/04 69 FR 43789 NPRM Comment Period End 09/07/04 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AQ92 _______________________________________________________________________ 474. CDQ TRANSFER, ELIGIBLE VESSELS, AND FISHING PLAN REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would implement revisions to regulations governing the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program. The revisions would simplify the process for making quota transfers, identifying eligible vessels, and obtaining approval of alternative fishing plans by removing some information requirements and by removing the requirement that applications for these actions be approved by the State of Alaska before being submitted to NMFS. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/26/04 69 FR 68865 NPRM Comment Period End 12/27/04 Final Rule 03/24/05 70 FR 15010 Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS00 _______________________________________________________________________ 475. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPTIMUM YIELD AND HARVEST LIMIT FOR PACIFIC SARDINE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC. 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, January 1, 2005, The CPS fisheries regulations require that the annual specs for Pacific sardine be published in the FR before January 1, the start of the fishing year. Abstract: This action announces the annual harvest guideline for Pacific sardine in the exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast. The Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its implementing regulations require NMFS to set an annual harvest guideline for Pacific sardine based on a formula in the FMP. The intended effect of this action is to establish allowable harvest levels for Pacific sardine off the Pacific coast and to minimize the impact on other coastal pelagic fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/07/04 69 FR 70973 NPRM Comment Period End 12/23/04 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AS17 _______________________________________________________________________ 476. AMENDMENT 23 TO THE REEF FISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN TO SET VERMILION SNAPPER SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ACT TARGETS AND THRESHOLDS AND TO ESTABLISH A PLAN TO END OVERFISHING AND REBUILD THE STOCK Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: In October 2003, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a determination that the Gulf of Mexico vermilion snapper stock is overfished. The stock had been previously determined to be undergoing overfishing in November 1999. These determinations were based on vermilion snapper stock assessments conducted in 1999 and 2001. Once a stock has been determined to be overfished, the Magnuson- Stevens Act requires the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council within one year to submit a plan to NMFS to end overfishing and rebuild the stock to a level capable of sustaining maximum sustainable yield on a continuing basis. This rebuilding plan contains alternatives that would rebuild the stock in less than 10 years. Measures to reduce commercial and recreational fishing mortality so that the stock can rebuild include vermilion snapper size limits, bag limits, trip limits, quotas, and closed seasons. In addition, alternatives for establishing vermilion snapper biological reference points and status determination criteria are included in the plan. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 02/24/05 70 FR 9028 Notice Comment Period End 04/25/05 NPRM 03/09/05 70 FR 11600 NPRM Comment Period End 04/25/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine [[Page 26714]] Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS19 _______________________________________________________________________ 477. ANNUAL RECREATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2005 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would establish the recreational specifications for fishing year 2005 for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/15/05 70 FR 12639 NPRM Comment Period End 03/30/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS21 _______________________________________________________________________ 478. SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2005 FISHING YEAR FOR THE ATLANTIC HERRING FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement specifications for the 2005 fishing year (January 1, 2005-December 31, 2005) for the Atlantic herring fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/31/05 70 FR 4808 NPRM Comment Period End 03/02/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS23 _______________________________________________________________________ 479. SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SPINY DOGFISH FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2005 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would establish specifications for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery for fishing year 2005 (May 1, 2005-April 30, 2006). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/28/05 70 FR 12168 NPRM Comment Period End 03/28/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: State Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS24 _______________________________________________________________________ 480. FRAMEWORK 40B TO THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This framework would implement measures to provide for use of regular B days-at-sea, new special access programs, and other measures related to the management of the Northeast Multispecies fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/29/05 70 FR 15803 NPRM Comment Period End 04/18/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS33 _______________________________________________________________________ 481. AMENDMENTS 18 AND 19 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR BERING SEA/ ALEUTIAN ISLANDS KING AND TANNER CRABS--CRAB RATIONALIZATION PROGRAM Priority: Economically Significant. Major under 5 USC 801. Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679; 50 CFR 680 Legal Deadline: Other, Statutory, January 1, 2005, Secretary approval of statutorily mandated FMP Amendment. Abstract: This action would rationalize the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands crab fisheries in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska by amending the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. The goal of rationalization is to end the race for fish and solve the problems of overcapacity while providing for a balanced distribution of benefits and improving fisheries management and resource conservation. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 09/01/04 69 FR 53359 NPRM 10/29/04 69 FR 63200 NPRM Comment Period End 12/13/04 Final Action 03/02/05 70 FR 10174 [[Page 26715]] Correction 03/18/05 70 FR 13097 Correction 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions, Organizations Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS47 _______________________________________________________________________ 482. AMENDMENT NUMBER 15 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 15 provides alternatives to address the current commercial king mackerel permit moratorium that will be expiring on October 15, 2005. Alternatives include possible extensions of the moratorium for a finite period of time or to establish a limited access license for an indefinite period of time. Amendment 15 also provides alternatives to potentially change the fishing year for Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel from an April 1 through March 31 period to a March 1 through February 28/29 period or a January 1 through December 31 period. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 03/07/05 70 FR 10933 Comment Period End 05/06/05 NPRM 03/18/05 70 FR 13152 NPRM Comment Period End 05/02/05 Final Action 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS53 _______________________________________________________________________ 483. 2005-2006 MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND TREATY INDIAN SALMON FISHERIES OFF THE COASTS OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND CALIFORNIA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, May 1, 2005, The fishery must open on May 1. Abstract: The annual management measures for the 2004-20005 fishing year specify allowable ocean harvest levels (including quotas), allocations, management boundaries and zones, minimum size limits, gear definitions, seasons, selective fisheries, and in-season notice procedures. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AS58 _______________________________________________________________________ 484. ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT TO MEASURES FOR THE MONKFISH FISHERY FOR THE 2005 FISHING YEAR Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action makes annual adjustments to measures for the 2005 fishing year for the Monkfish Fishery. The fishing year begins May 1, 2005. This action will make necessary adjustments in total allowable catch levels and trip limits. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/18/05 70 FR 13156 NPRM Comment Period End 04/04/05 Final Action 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS72 _______________________________________________________________________ 485. ADJUSTMENT OF QUOTA OVERAGES IN THE U.S./CANADA AREA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would adjust any overages of quotas for Georges Bank cod, haddock, and/or yellowtail flounder in the U.S./Canada Management Area, as required by Amendment 13. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 04/14/05 70 FR 19724 NPRM Comment Period End 05/16/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 [[Page 26716]] Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS74 _______________________________________________________________________ 486. LIST OF FISHERIES FOR 2005 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: With this action, NMFS publishes the annual List of Fisheries (LOF), as required by section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2005 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must categorize each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the levels of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs within each fishery. The categorization of a fishery in 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 requirements. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/02/04 69 FR 70094 NPRM Comment Period End 01/03/05 Final Action 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS78 _______________________________________________________________________ 487. [bull] SEAFOOD DEALER REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would modify reporting and recordkeeping requirements for dealers federally permitted in the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Atlantic sea scallop, Northeast multispecies, monkfish, Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish, Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog, Atlantic herring, Atlantic deep-sea red crab, tilefish, Atlantic bluefish, skate and/or spiny dogfish fisheries. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/04/05 70 FR 10585 NPRM Comment Period End 03/21/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS87 _______________________________________________________________________ 488. [bull] CORRECTION TO FINAL RULE FOR HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS publishes a correction to the final rule published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2004 (69 FR 18444) to implement the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (FMP). The final rule should have contained the language defining a loggerhead conservation area in which drift gillnet fishing would be prohibited during a declared El Nino year, as published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2003 (68 FR 69962). The intended effect of this action is to ensure that loggerhead sea turtles will receive the necessary protection from excessive takes in El Nino years. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 Related RIN: Related to 0648-AP42 RIN: 0648-AS89 _______________________________________________________________________ 489. [bull] ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); 2005 BLUEFIN TUNA QUOTA SPECIFICATIONS AND EFFORT CONTROLS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement specifications for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery to set BFT quotas and General category effort controls for the 2005 fishing year. The purpose of this action is to implement the U.S. annual BFT quota as recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and allocate that quota among the domestic fishing categories. Effort controls for the General category would allocate monthly quotas and set certain restricted fishing days. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/23/05 70 FR 14630 NPRM Comment Period End 04/18/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AT01 [[Page 26717]] _______________________________________________________________________ 490. [bull] ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); ATLANTIC SHARK COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would establish regional quotas and announce season lengths for large and small coastal sharks, and pelagic sharks managed under the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks. This action is necessary to ensure that current management measures are consistent with the most recent landings information. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/10/05 70 FR 11922 NPRM Comment Period End 03/25/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AT07 _______________________________________________________________________ 491. [bull] 2006-2007 MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND TREATY SALMON FISHERIES OFF THE COASTS OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND CALIFORNIA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, May 2006, The fishery must open on May 1. Abstract: This action establishes annual management measures for the 2006-2007 fishing year for commercial, recreational and treaty salmon fisheries off the coast of Washington, Oregon and California. In particular, this action specifies allowable ocean harvest levels (including quotas), allocations, management boundaries and zones, minimum size limits, gear definitions, seasons, selective fisheries, and in-season notice procedures. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 04/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AT34 _______________________________________________________________________ 492. HYDROPOWER/MANDATORY CONDITIONS REVIEW PROCESS (MCRP) RULE Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 811 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 221 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Pursuant to Part I of the Federal Power Act (Act), 16 U.S.C. 791a et seq., the Department of Commerce (Department), acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), provides input to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) on a number of issues related to licensing non-federal hydroelectric generating facilities. Among others, NMFS' authorities include the authority to prescribe fishways pursuant to section 18 of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 811. Pursuant to its section 18 authority, NMFS reviews applications for hydropower licenses before the Commission, and after consultation with license applicants, prescribes new or modified fishways where such facilities are warranted based on studies and other information in the administrative record of the licensing proceeding. This action codifies the existing MCRP, providing for public review of NMFS' mandatory section 18 fishway prescriptions, and an opportunity to modify prescriptions if warranted based on public review, prior to their being included in a final license order. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/09/04 69 FR 54615 NPRM Comment Period End 11/08/04 Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Rolland Schmitten, Director, Office of Habitat Conservation, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 Phone: 301 713-2325 Fax: 301 713-1043 Email: rolland.schmitt@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS55 _______________________________________________________________________ 493. PROVIDE REGULATIONS FOR PERMITS FOR CAPTURE, TRANSPORT, IMPORT, AND EXPORT OF PROTECTED SPECIES FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY, AND FOR MAINTAINING A CAPTIVE MARINE MAMMAL INVENTORY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1372 (c) CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule will revise and simplify criteria and procedures specific to permits for taking, transporting, importing, and exporting protected species for public display and provide convenient formats for reporting marine mammal captive holdings and transports as required by amendments made in 1994 to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/03/01 66 FR 35209 NPRM Comment Period Extended 08/22/01 66 FR 44109 NPRM Comment Period End 09/04/01 Comment Period Extended 11/02/01 Final Action 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None [[Page 26718]] Agency Contact: Tanya Dobrzynski, Marine Resource Manager, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2289 RIN: 0648-AH26 _______________________________________________________________________ 494. DESIGNATE CRITICAL HABITAT FOR 7 EVOLUTIONARILY SIGNIFICANT UNITS (ESUS) OF PACIFIC SALMON AND STEELHEAD IN CALIFORNIA Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1533 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 226 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Judicial, November 30, 2004. Final, Judicial, June 15, 2005. Abstract: This action would designate critical habitat for 7 Pacific salmon and O. mykiss Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The geographic area proposed for designation include riverine and estuarine habitat in California. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/19/00 65 FR 79328 NPRM Comment Period End 02/20/01 NPRM 12/10/04 69 FR 71880 NPRM Comment Period End 01/24/05 Comment Period Extended 02/07/05 70 FR 6394 Second NPRM Comment Period End 03/14/05 Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James H. Lecky, Assistant Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 501 W. Ocean Blvd. No. 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 502 980-4015 Fax: 502 980-4027 Related RIN: Related to 0648-AQ77 RIN: 0648-AO04 _______________________________________________________________________ 495. TAKING OF THE COOK INLET, ALASKA, STOCK OF BELUGA WHALES BY ALASKA NATIVES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1371 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS is regulating subsistence harvest of Cook Inlet Beluga to ensure that the harvest is sustainable and does not substantially delay the recovery of this marine mammal stock. Specific harvest levels and distribution of the harvest will be based upon cooperative agreements with Alaska native organizations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/04/00 65 FR 59164 NPRM Comment Period End 11/27/00 Final Rule 04/06/04 69 FR 17973 Final Action 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Organizations, Governmental Jurisdictions Government Levels Affected: Tribal, Federal Agency Contact: Thomas C. Eagle, Fishery Biologist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Room 13725, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2055 Fax: 301 713-4060 Email: tom.eagle@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AO16 _______________________________________________________________________ 496. TAKING MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO ROCKET LAUNCHES FROM THE KODIAK LAUNCH COMPLEX, KODIAK ISLAND, ALASKA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation (AADC) for a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to rocket launches from the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC), Kodiak Island, Alaska. As a result of that request, NMFS is proposing regulations that would authorize the incidental taking of a small number of marine mammals. In order to issue such regulations, NMFS must determine that these takings will have a negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of marine mammal species or stocks for subsistence uses. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 11/05/01 66 FR 55909 ANPRM Comment Period End 12/05/01 NPRM 10/29/04 69 FR 63114 NPRM Comment Period End 12/13/04 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Governmental Jurisdictions Government Levels Affected: State Agency Contact: Kenneth Hollingshead, Fishery Biologist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13600, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2322 Fax: 301 713-0376 Email: ken.hollingshead@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AP62 _______________________________________________________________________ 497. DESIGNATE CRITICAL HABITAT FOR 13 EVOLUTIONARILY SIGNIFICANT UNITS (ESUS) OF PACIFIC SALMON AND STEELHEAD IN WASHINGTON, OREGON AND IDAHO Priority: Economically Significant. Major under 5 USC 801. Legal Authority: 16 USC 1533 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 226; 50 CFR 424 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Judicial, September 30, 2004. Final, Judicial, June 15, 2005. Abstract: This action would designate critical habitat for 13 Pacific salmon and O. mykiss Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The geographic areas proposed for designation include lakes, riverine, and estuarine habitat in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and marine nearshore habitat in Washington. [[Page 26719]] Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 09/29/03 68 FR 55926 ANPRM Comment Period End 11/13/03 NPRM 12/14/04 69 FR 74572 NPRM Comment Period End 01/28/05 Comment Period Extended 02/07/05 70 FR 6394 Second NPRM Comment Period End 03/14/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions Government Levels Affected: Local, State, Tribal Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AQ77 _______________________________________________________________________ 498. REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN TAKE REDUCTION PLAN Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, September 2003. Final, Statutory, January 2004. There is a deadline under the MMPA, but noting that we cannot meet this deadline because of requirements related to compliance with other laws, such as NEPA and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Abstract: This action would implement management measures to (1) reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury (bycatch) of the western North Atlantic coastal bottlenose dolphin stock (dolphins) (Tursiops truncatus) in the mid-Atlantic coastal gillnet fishery and eight other coastal fisheries operating within the dolphin's distributional range; and (2) amend current, seasonal restrictions on large mesh gillnet fisheries operating in the mid-Atlantic region to reduce the incidental take of sea turtles in North Carolina and Virginia state waters. This action would use effort reduction measures, gear proximity rules, gear or gear deployment modifications, fishermen training, and outreach and education measures to reduce dolphin bycatch below the marine mammal stock's potential biological removal level (PBR); and time/area closures and size restrictions on large mesh fisheries to reduce incidental takes of endangered and threatened sea turtles as well as to reduce dolphin bycatch below the stock's PBR. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/10/04 69 FR 65127 NPRM Comment Period End 02/08/05 Final Action 01/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Federalism: This action may have federalism implications as defined in EO 13132. Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AR39 _______________________________________________________________________ 499. LISTING DETERMINATIONS FOR 27 EVOLUTIONARILY SIGNIFICANT UNITS (ESUS) OF WEST COAST SALMON AND ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1533 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223; 50 CFR 224 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Judicial, March 31, 2004. NMFS has requested an extension to the court-ordered deadline, but no decision has been made as of 4/23/2004. Abstract: NMFS has completed status reviews for 26 West Coast salmon and O. mykiss (inclusive of anadromous steelhead and co-occurring resident rainbow trout) Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) previously listed as threatened and endangered species under the ESA, as well as one ESU that was designated as a candidate species. Following a September 2001 U.S. District Court ruling that rejected how NMFS treats hatchery populations in its listing determinations, the agency received several petitions seeking to delist, or to redefine and list several ESUs on the basis of the Court's ruling. In response to these petitions NMFS initiated status reviews for 16 ESUs, and elected to conduct status reviews for an additional 11 ESUs. Based on these reviews, NMFS is taking this action to list ESUs as endangered or threatened, and also to delist ESUs as necessary. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/14/04 69 FR 33102 NPRM Comment Period End 09/13/04 NPRM 08/31/04 69 FR 53031 NPRM Comment Period Extended to 10/20/04 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal Agency Contact: Laurie K. Allen, Acting Director, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20912 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AR93 _______________________________________________________________________ 500. TAKING MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO NAVY OPERATION Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1371 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS is amending its regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to operations of the U.S. Navy's SURTASS LFA sonar to implement provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (NDAA). The President signed into law the NDAA (P.L. 108-136) on November 24, 2003. Included in this law were amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) that apply where a ``military readiness activity'' is concerned. NMFS and the Navy have determined that the Navy's [[Page 26720]] SURTASS LFA sonar testing and training operations that are the subject of NMFS' July 16, 2002 (67 FR 46712) final rule constitute a military readiness activity because those activities constitute ``training and operations of the Armed Forces that relate to combat'' and constitute ``adequate and realistic testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons and sensors for proper operation and suitability for combat use.'' Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/29/04 69 FR 38873 NPRM Comment Period End 07/29/04 Final Action 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Kenneth R. Hollingshead, Fishery Biologist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20912 Phone: 301 713-2055 Email: ken.hollingshead@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AR99 _______________________________________________________________________ 501. [bull] THREATENED STATUS FOR SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 et seq; 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 224 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Judicial, December 17, 2004. Abstract: NMFS has completed an update on the status review of Southern Resident killer whales under the Endangered Species Act and is seeking to list this distinct population segment as threatened. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 03/02/04 69 9809 NPRM 12/22/04 69 FR 76673 NPRM Comment Period End 03/22/05 Final Action 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS95 _______________________________________________________________________ 502. [bull] ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; LIFTING TRADE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would modify trade restriction measures pursuant to recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) approved during the 2004 meeting. This rule would lift the trade restrictions on import of bigeye tuna from Cambodia; the ban on the import of bigeye tuna and bluefin tuna from Equatorial Guinea; and the trade restrictions on the import of bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, and swordfish from Sierra Leone. This rule would also correct section reference conflicts between two rules that published in the Federal Register on November 17, 2004, and December 6, 2004. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/08/05 70 FR 11190 NPRM Comment Period End 04/07/05 Final Action 06/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AT05 _______________________________________________________________________ 503. CIVIL PROCEDURES GOVERNING PROSECUTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 1531 to 1543; 16 USC 1361 to 1407; 16 USC 3371 to 3378; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 904 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule amends the procedures governing NOAA's administrative proceedings for the assessment of civil penalties, suspension, revocation, modification, or denial of permits, issuance and use of written warnings, and release of forfeiture of seized property. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/12/04 69 FR 60569 NPRM Comment Period End 12/13/04 Final Action 12/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Meggan Walls Engelke-Ros, Attorney Advisor, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 427-2202 Fax: 301 427-2211 Email: meggan.engelke-ros@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS54 _______________________________________________________________________ 504. SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION; EXCEPTIONS TO TAKING PROHIBITIONS FOR ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 et seq; 16 USC 742a et seq; 31 USC 9701 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 222 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS proposes to allow any agent or employee of NMFS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the U.S. Coast Guard, or any other Federal land or water management agency, or any agent or employee of a state agency responsible for fish and wildlife who is designated by his or her agency for such purposes, when acting in the course of his or her official duties, to [[Page 26721]] take endangered sea turtles if such taking is necessary to aid a sick, injured, entangled or stranded endangered sea turtle or dispose of such specimen or salvage such specimen which may be useful for scientific and educational purposes. This action is necessary to provide equal conservation and protection measures to sick, injured, entangled and stranded endangered sea turtles as is afforded for threatened sea turtles under 50 CFR 223.206. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/29/05 70 FR 15800 NPRM Comment Period End 04/28/05 Final Action 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS57 _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE/OFFICE OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ____________________________________________________ 505. GRAY'S REEF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1434; 16 USC 1439 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922.90 to 922.92 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action will amend regulations and designation document for the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary to clarify that the sanctuary boundary includes submerged lands; revise regulations on placing structures on the seabed, fishing, anchoring, discharges, and cultural resources; and revise procedure for issuing sanctuary permits. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/31/03 68 FR 62033 NPRM Comment Period End 12/31/03 Final Action 07/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Reed Bohne, Manager, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411 Phone: 912 598-2345 Fax: 912 598-2367 Email: reed.bohne@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AQ41 _______________________________________________________________________ 506. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NOAA ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONAL CHART DISTRIBUTION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 33 USC 892(a) to 892(b); HSIA 2002, sec 303; HSIA 2002, sec 304 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 995 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, December 19, 2004, By not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the HSIA Amendments of 2002. Mandate to certify hydrographic products that satisfy the standards promulgated by the Administrator no later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2002. Abstract: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) amends its regulations to add certification requirements with standards for applicants who want to distribute NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (NOAA ENCs) as official data. NOAA intends to offer two types of certification. The first type, ``Certified NOAA ENC Distributor,'' is for NOAA ENCs downloading, exact copying, and redistribution of those copies of NOAA ENCs data. The second type, ``Certified NOAA ENC Value Added Distributor,'' permits reformatting official NOAA ENCs into a System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC) using type-approved software, and distribution of that SENC. Both types of certification result in products that meet Federal chart carriage regulations. Both types of certification permit, but do not require, compression, encryption, and packaging with other data. NOAA intends by this action to assure that quality official NOAA ENC data is offered to the public in support of safe navigation on U.S. waters. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/15/04 69 FR 61165 Final Action 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None URL For More Information: nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/indes.htm URL For Public Comments: nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/indes.htm Agency Contact: Michael Brown, Electronic Chart Products Manager, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, N/CS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2645 Fax: 301 713-4501 Email: mike.brown@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AR87 [[Page 26722]] _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Long-Term Actions National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE ____________________________________________________ 507. AMENDMENT 22 TO THE REEF FISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 08/04/04 69 FR 46518 NPRM 11/23/04 69 FR 68119 NPRM Comment Period End 01/07/05 Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AP02 _______________________________________________________________________ 508. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO SECTION 679 PERMITS OR PERMIT-RELATED ISSUES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AQ07 _______________________________________________________________________ 509. INDIVIDUAL FISHING QUOTA FOR GUIDED RECREATIONAL CHARTER HALIBUT FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR96 _______________________________________________________________________ 510. AMENDMENT 26 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE REEF FISH RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO TO ESTABLISH A RED SNAPPER INDIVIDUAL FISHING QUOTA PROGRAM Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS67 _______________________________________________________________________ 511. [bull] COMMERCIAL GROUPER FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO; ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONTROL DATE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: In anticipation of future action to establish regulations limiting participation in the grouper fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) has voted to establish a control date of October 15, 2004, for the commercial grouper fishery. The establishment of a control date does not commit the Council or the National Marine Fisheries Service to any particular management regime. A control date may be used as part of the qualifying criteria for entry into the fishery. Fishermen, however, are not guaranteed future participation in the fishery regardless of their entry date or intensity of participation in the fishery before or after the control date under consideration. The Council may choose to use a different control date or they may choose a management regime that does not make use of such a date. The Council may choose to give variably weighted consideration to fishermen active in the fishery before and after the control date. Other qualifying criteria, such as documentation of landings and sales, may be applied for entry. The Council also may choose to take no further action to control entry or access to the fishery, in which case the control date may be rescinded. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 11/16/04 69 FR 67106 ANPRM Comment Period End 12/16/04 Next Action Undetermined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS88 _______________________________________________________________________ 512. [bull] CHANGES TO REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE OBSERVER COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 773 to 773k; 16 USC 1801; 16 USC 3631 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679; 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would revised minimum operating system requirements for the Observer Communications System (OCS). The OCS consists of custom software and communications equipment that groundfish observers use to enter data collected in the course of their duties and communicate this data by satellite link to observer program staff. This action is intended to updated requirements in support of the observer program. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No [[Page 26723]] Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS93 _______________________________________________________________________ 513. NORTH ATLANTIC WHALE PROTECTION Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216; 50 CFR 222 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 01/04/00 65 FR 270 ANPRM Comment Period End 03/06/00 NPRM 06/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AM85 _______________________________________________________________________ 514. PREVENTING HARASSMENT FROM HUMAN ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT MARINE MAMMALS IN THE WILD Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 01/30/02 67 FR 4379 ANPRM Comment Period End 04/01/02 NPRM 06/00/06 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Trevor Spradlin Phone: 301 713-2289 Email: trevor.spradlin@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AN43 _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE/OFFICE OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ____________________________________________________ 515. PROCEDURAL CHANGES TO THE FEDERAL CONSISTENCY PROCESS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 930 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 07/02/02 67 FR 44407 ANPRM Comment Period End 09/03/02 Next Action Undetermined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Undetermined Agency Contact: David W. Kaiser Phone: 301 713-3155 Fax: 301 713-4367 Email: david.kaiser@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AP98 _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE/OFFICE OF MINERAL ENERGY ____________________________________________________ 516. COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT FEDERAL CONSISTENCY REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 15 CFR 930 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/11/03 68 FR 34851 Final Action To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: David W. Kaiser Phone: 301 713-3155 Fax: 301 713-4367 Email: david.kaiser@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AR16 _______________________________________________________________________ OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR ____________________________________________________ 517. REGIONAL MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined Timetable: Next Action Undetermined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Don Scavia Phone: 301 713-3060 RIN: 0648-AF20 [[Page 26724]] _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Completed Actions National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) _______________________________________________________________________ 518. ADJUSTMENT OF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: BOTTOMFISH FISHERIES IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS--COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published within 30 days of NPRM comment period end. Abstract: This regulatory amendment under the Bottomfish FMP would establish permit eligibility criteria, including processing fees, for new entry into the NWHI Mau Zone bottomfish limited access program, and a mechanism to facilitate permits through a community development program. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Merged With 0648-AQ20 03/08/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Alvin Katekaru, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 808 973-2937 RIN: 0648-AK82 _______________________________________________________________________ 519. FULL RETENTION OF DEMERSAL SHELF ROCKFISH IN GULF OF ALASKA AREA 650 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This regulatory amendment requires full retention of demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) in the hook-and-line fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska, Regulatory Area 650. This rule would eliminate the maximum retainable bycatch limit for DSR, and require that all DSR caught by Federally permitted vessels using fixed gear in the Southeast Outside be retained, landed, weighted, and reported. When DSR is closed to directed fishing, fishermen would be allowed to retain the proceeds from the sale of any DSR not in excess of 10 percent of the aggregate round weight equivalence of IFQ Pacific halibut and groundfish species that are landed during the same fishing trip, or 1 percent of sablefish landed. Any DSR landed in excess of these limits could be retained for any use except sale, barter, or trade. This could include personal consumption or donation to a nonprofit charitable organization. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/21/04 69 FR 2875 NPRM Comment Period End 02/20/04 Final Action 11/23/04 69 FR 68095 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AP73 _______________________________________________________________________ 520. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); BIGEYE TUNA AND SWORDFISH TRADE STATISTICAL DOCUMENT PROGRAMS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to establish statistical document programs for trade of swordfish and bigeye tuna. This regulation will require all dealers, who export or import swordfish or bigeye tuna, complete a statistical document and ensure the document accompanies the shipment. The purpose of the ICCAT recommendation and this regulation is to assist in the conservation of swordfish and bigeye tuna, improve the reliability of statistical information of catches, and to assist ICCAT with the elimination of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing operations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 03/29/04 69 FR 16211 NPRM Comment Period End 05/10/04 Final Action 11/17/04 69 FR 67268 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-1917 Email: john.dunnigan@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AQ37 _______________________________________________________________________ 521. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; ATLANTIC SWORDFISH QUOTAS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The rule would implement catch quotas for North and South Atlantic swordfish based on recommendations made by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas at its 2002 meeting. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/20/03 68 FR 36967 NPRM Comment Period End 08/04/03 Final Action 11/23/04 69 FR 68090 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AQ90 [[Page 26725]] _______________________________________________________________________ 522. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; TRADE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would implement the trade restrictive measures recommended at the 2002 and 2003 meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The rule would lift the import prohibition on Atlantic bigeye tuna from Honduras, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Belize. Bigeye tuna imports from Sierra Leone, Bolivia, and Georgia would be banned. The import prohibitions on Atlantic bluefin tuna and Atlantic swordfish would be lifted from Honduras and Belize. Bluefin tuna and swordfish imports from Sierra Leone would be banned. The rule would also prohibit imports from vessels on the ICCAT negative list and would require prior notification from NMFS before a U.S. documented or registered vessel enters a chartering arrangement with another country. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/06/04 69 FR 25357 NPRM Comment Period End 06/21/04 Final Action 12/06/04 69 FR 70396 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AR10 _______________________________________________________________________ 523. FRAMEWORK 5 TO THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would establish the ability to set multi-year specifications for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/30/04 69 FR 52874 NPRM Comment Period End 09/14/04 Final Action 10/28/04 69 FR 62818 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AR50 _______________________________________________________________________ 524. ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FISHING YEAR 2005 FOR THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS FISHERY Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would establish annual specifications for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fishery for fishing year 2005. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/06/04 69 FR 70414 NPRM Comment Period End 12/21/04 Final Action 01/04/05 70 FR 303 Correction 01/18/05 70 FR 2820 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: State Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AR51 _______________________________________________________________________ 525. ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SURF CLAM AND OCEAN QUAHOG FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2005-2007 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement the annual specifications for the surf clam and ocean quahog fisheries for fishing year 2005-2007. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/18/04 69 FR 67528 NPRM Comment Period End 12/20/04 Final Action 01/12/05 70 FR 2023 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AR52 _______________________________________________________________________ 526. FRAMEWORK 16 TO THE ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN AND FRAMEWORK ADJUSTMENT 39 TO THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These frameworks would establish access program for scallopers in the groundfish closed areas. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/26/04 69 FR 52470 NPRM Comment Period End 09/10/04 Final Rule 11/02/04 69 FR 63460 Final Action 01/18/05 70 FR 2821 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None [[Page 26726]] Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AR55 _______________________________________________________________________ 527. ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SQUID, AND BUTTERFISH FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2005 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement the annual specifications for the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery for fishing year 2005. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 01/10/05 70 FR 1686 NPRM Comment Period End 02/09/05 Final Action 03/21/05 70 FR 13406 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AR56 _______________________________________________________________________ 528. ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ATLANTIC BLUEFISH FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2005 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement the annual specifications for the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery for fishing year 2005. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 02/08/05 70 FR 6608 NPRM Comment Period End 02/23/05 Final Action 03/21/05 70 FR 13402 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AR57 _______________________________________________________________________ 529. ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE DEEP-SEA RED CRAB FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2005 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action implements the annual specifications for the Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery for fishing year 2005. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 02/11/05 70 FR 7190 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AR59 _______________________________________________________________________ 530. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); AMENDMENT 2 TO THE ATLANTIC BILLFISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Amendment 2 to the Atlantic billfish fishery management plan is intended to conduct a 5-year review of essential fish habitat identifications, and address other issues as necessary consistent with rebuilding plans, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, and other relevant Federal laws. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Merged With 0648-AR60 01/03/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-1917 Email: john.dunnigan@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AR61 _______________________________________________________________________ 531. CONSIDERATION OF REVISION TO ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT (EFH) GUIDELINES (50 CFR PART 600) Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1855(b)(1)(A) CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS is evaluating whether to revise the essential fish habitat (EFH) guidelines promulgated through regulation in a January 17, 2002, final rule. The evaluation and potential revisions will address the ongoing public interest in EFH management, and NMFS' prior commitment to evaluate the efficacy of the EFH guidelines through an appropriate public process. The intended effect of the action is to ensure the EFH guidelines effectively implement the EFH provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 12/11/03 68 FR 69070 ANPRM Comment Period End 01/26/04 Comment Period Extended 02/25/04 69 FR 8615 Comment Period End 04/26/04 Withdrawn 01/10/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No [[Page 26727]] Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Rolland Schmitten, Director, Office of Habitat Conservation, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 Phone: 301 713-2325 Fax: 301 713-1043 Email: rolland.schmitt@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AR76 _______________________________________________________________________ 532. AMENDMENT 48 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GROUNDFISH FISHERY OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AND GULF OF ALASKA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action amends the process by which harvest specifications would be set in future years. It would update descriptions of the fisheries by removing references to foreign fishing, revise the description of the harvest specifications process to provide for 18 months specifications for most target species and biennial harvest specifications for certain Gulf of Alaska species, revise the name of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands FMP to be consistent with the more concise title of the Gulf of Alaska FMP, and update plan team responsibilities in the harvest specifications process. Objectives for the revised process include managing the Alaska groundfish fisheries based on the best available scientific information and providing meaningful opportunity for useful public comment. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 07/14/04 69 FR 42128 NPRM 07/27/04 69 FR 44634 NPRM Comment Period End 09/10/04 Final Action 11/08/04 69 FR 64683 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR77 _______________________________________________________________________ 533. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); 2004 BLUEFIN TUNA QUOTA SPECIFICATIONS AND GENERAL CATEGORY EFFORT CONTROLS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 971; 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action will set Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quotas and General category effort controls for the 2004 fishing year. This action will implement the U.S. annual BFT quota as recommended by the International Commission on Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and allocate that quota among the domestic fishing categories. Effort controls for the General category will allocate monthly quotas and set certain restricted fishing days. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/10/04 69 FR 71771 NPRM Comment Period End 01/06/05 Final Action 03/07/05 70 FR 10896 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AR86 _______________________________________________________________________ 534. HALIBUT SUBSISTENCE II Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 773 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300; 50 CFR 600; 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rulemaking amends the rule authorizing subsistence fishery for Pacific halibut in waters off Alaska. These regulations are necessary to address conservation concerns in densely populated areas. Existing subsistence halibut regulations fail to recognize distinctions between different geographic regions. Because of the variation between geographic regions, some of the regions require more narrowly tailored gear and harvest limitations. The purpose of this action is to amend the current regulations authorizing a subsistence fishery for halibut in Convention waters off Alaska. The main goal of this action is to adjust gear and harvest restrictions for Alaska residents who practice subsistence fishing for halibut specific to their respective region. An additional goal is to implement specific mitigation measures for tribes and rural communities in areas where gear and harvest limitations may action is considered non-controversial because it moderately amends an existing rule. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/09/04 69 FR 41447 NPRM Comment Period End 08/09/04 Final Action 04/01/05 70 FR 16742 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AR88 _______________________________________________________________________ 535. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OPTIMUM YIELD AND HARVEST LIMIT FOR PACIFIC MACKEREL Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, The CPS fisheries regulations require that the annual specs for Pacific mackerel be published in the Federal Register before July 1, the start of the fishing year. Abstract: This action sets annual specifications for the Pacific mackerel [[Page 26728]] pursuant to the Coastal Pelagic Species fisheries regulations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 07/20/04 69 FR 43383 NPRM Comment Period End 08/04/04 Final Action 10/21/04 69 FR 61768 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AR97 _______________________________________________________________________ 536. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; ATLANTIC SHARK COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would adjust regional quota allocations for small and large coastal sharks managed under the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species. These measures are needed to ensure current management measures are consistent with the most current landings information. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/17/04 69 FR 56024 NPRM Comment Period End 10/18/04 Final Action 11/30/04 69 FR 69537 Notice 12/10/04 69 FR 71735 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: John H. Dunnigan, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13362, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2334 RIN: 0648-AS08 _______________________________________________________________________ 537. EASTERN PACIFIC TUNA CONTROLS Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Duplicate of 0648-AS39 03/09/05 RIN: 0648-AS18 _______________________________________________________________________ 538. MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS; FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES AND IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC; PACIFIC COAST GROUNDFISH FISHERY; BIENNIAL SPECIFICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, September 2004, Rule must be effective on 01/01/05 when the fishing year begins. Final, Statutory, December 2004. Abstract: This rule will implement the 2005-06 annual specifications and management measures for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/21/04 69 FR 56549 NPRM Comment Period End 10/21/04 Final Action 12/23/04 69 FR 77012 Correction 03/18/05 70 FR 13118 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AS27 _______________________________________________________________________ 539. REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS SUPPORTED UNDER A RESEARCH SET-ASIDE PROGRAM FOR FISHING YEAR 2006 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would set aside for FY 2006 up to 3 percent of the total allowable landings in certain Mid-Atlantic fisheries to be used for research endeavors under a research set-aside program. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 04/18/05 70 FR 20104 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS32 _______________________________________________________________________ 540. FRAMEWORK 40A TO THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This framework implements certain access program measures on Georges Bank originally disapproved in Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP and resubmitted for Secretarial review. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/14/04 69 FR 55388 NPRM Comment Period End 09/29/04 Interim Final Rule 11/19/04 69 FR 67780 Interim Final Rule Comment Period End 12/20/04 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None [[Page 26729]] Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS34 _______________________________________________________________________ 541. AMENDMENT 82 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR GROUNDFISH OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN ISLANDS MANAGEMENT AREA Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The amendment will implement section 803 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 which requires future directed fishing allowances of pollock in the Aleutian Islands to be allocated to the Aleut Corporation. Only fishing vessels under sixty feet long, or AFA listed and approved by the Aleut Corporation or its agents will be allowed to harvest this allowance. The allocation was made to the Aleut Corporation for the purpose of furthering the economic development of Adak. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Notice 11/16/04 69 FR 67107 Notice Comment Period End 01/18/05 NPRM 12/07/04 69 FR 70589 NPRM Comment Period End 01/21/05 Final Action 03/01/05 70 FR 9856 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS37 _______________________________________________________________________ 542. RESTRICTIONS FOR 2004 PURSE SEINE AND LONGLINE FISHERIES IN THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 951 to 961; 16 USC 971 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, July 1, 2004, Agreement under IATTC. Abstract: NMFS announces the 2004 conservation and management measures for international tuna fisheries in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. These are a six-week closure of purse seine fisheries and a closure of any national longline fishery which reaches a catch level for bigeye tuna equal to the catch made by that fleet in 2001. The Tuna Conventions Act calls for the United States to take action to implement conservation and management measures for the U.S. fisheries that are affected. Thus, the intended effect of the rule is to establish prohibition of U.S. vessels purse seine fishing for tuna in the IATTC convention area for the November 20 - December 31 period and to announce that the U.S. longline fishery in the convention area will be closed if the catch in 2004 reaches the catch level of 2001. This will conform to the IATTC recommendation that was approved by the Department of State. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 06/25/04 69 FR 35569 NPRM Comment Period End 07/12/04 Final Action 11/12/04 69 FR 65382 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Mark Helvey, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 562 980-4040 RIN: 0648-AS39 _______________________________________________________________________ 543. GULF OF ALASKA STELLER SEA LION PROTECTION MEASURES REVISIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action will revise Steller sea lion protection measures for the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The revisions adjust fishing closure areas near four Steller sea lion haulouts for pollock and Pacific cod fisheries and would modify the seasonal management of pollock harvest in the GOA. The intent of the revisions is to provide some economic relief to GOA communities while maintaining protection for Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/22/04 69 FR 56384 NPRM Comment Period End 10/21/04 Final Action 12/20/04 69 FR 75865 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AS41 _______________________________________________________________________ 544. REORGANIZE, BY REDESIGNATION, THE FISHING CAPACITY REDUCTION PROGRAM (FCRP) REGULATIONS AND FCRP FEE SYSTEM REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined CFR Citation: None Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action will amend the regulations in order to reorganize, by redesignation, the fishing capacity reduction program (FCRP) regulations and FCRP fee system regulations. To accomplish this, it is also necessary to redesignate regulatory provisions implementing the Shark Finning Prohibition Act. The redesignation involves changing subparts, renumbering regulatory provisions, and revising regulatory references. The substantive provisions are not changed in any way; only the old Code of Federal Regulations unit numbers are redesignated with new CFR unit [[Page 26730]] numbers. Also, one subpart title and one section title are modified. Several sections are reserved to ensure a logical organization. The intent of this rule is to improve understanding and ease of use of FCRP regulations, and to make additional sequential section umbers available for future FCRP regulations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 09/01/04 69 FR 53359 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Robert Gorrell, Fishery Biologist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East- West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2341 Fax: 301 713-1193 Email: robert.gorrell@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS44 _______________________________________________________________________ 545. SEASONAL CLOSURE OF GRAMMANIK BANK Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the National Marine Fisheries Service amends its regulations to implement a seasonal closed area on Grammanik Bank south of St. Thomas, USVI, to conserve and protect a documented spawning aggregation of yellowfin grouper. Within the closed area, fishing for Council-managed species would be prohibited from February 1 to April 30. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 11/16/04 69 FR 67104 NPRM Comment Period End 12/01/04 Final Action 01/04/05 70 CFR 300 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS56 _______________________________________________________________________ 546. REVISIONS TO THE PACIFIC HALIBUT CATCH SHARING PLAN FOR 2005 AND BEYOND Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Each year, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) reviews its Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Plan) with the public to determine whether revisions are needed to management objectives for any of the West Coast halibut fisheries. Off the coast of Washington, halibut treaty tribes hold a directed commercial fishery and a ceremonial and subsistence fishery for halibut. Non-treaty fishers operating off Washington, Oregon, and California participate in one of three separate commercial fisheries, and/or in one of seven separate recreational fisheries for halibut. For 2005, changes to the Plan may include: changing the opening date of the north Washington coast subarea; closing the south Washington coast subarea when a certain amount of quota is projected to remain and allowing the northern and southern nearshore areas to harvest the remaining quota; setting an annual bag limit off Washington of 5 halibut per person per calendar year; adding a weekly limit off Washington of two halibut per person per calendar week; changing the Oregon central coast all-depth fishery bag limit to two halibut per person; creating two ``yelloweye'' rockfish conservation areas off Oregon to reduce the take the overfished groundfish species in the halibut fishery; and allowing retention of halibut bycatch in the open access sablefish fishery. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 02/07/05 70 FR 6395 NPRM Comment Period End 03/16/05 Final Action 04/19/05 70 FR 20304 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, Seattle, WA 48115- 0070 Phone: 206 526-6150 Fax: 206 526-6426 RIN: 0648-AS61 _______________________________________________________________________ 547. FRAMEWORK ADJUSTMENT 1 TO THE RED CRAB FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Duplicate of 0648-AS35 03/21/05 RIN: 0648-AS73 _______________________________________________________________________ 548. CLARIFY THE DAYS-AT-SEA (DAS) BASELINE ALLOCATION PROCEDURE IMPLEMENTED IN AMENDMENT 13 TO THE NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action proposes to clarify the baseline DAS allocation procedure established in the final rule implementing Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The proposed rule to implement Amendment 13 stated that a vessel's baseline DAS allocation would be determined by the highest number of reported DAS fished during a single qualifying fishing year, where the vessel landed at least 5,000 lb of regulated multispecies, during the 6-year period from May 1, 1996 through April 30, 2002. It was the intent of the Council to cap a vessel's DAS used at the vessel's annual allocation prior to August 1, 2002, and it was how the analysis was conducted in the EIS prepared for Amendment 13. However, this DAS cap was not stated in the proposed rule for Amendment 13, but included in the final rule. Because the public was not provided with the opportunity to comment on this cap in DAS usage in the proposed rule, NMFS is providing this opportunity by [[Page 26731]] clarifying the existing regulations through interim rulemaking, which will include publication of a proposed interim rule. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/28/04 69 FR 62844 NPRM Comment Period End 11/12/04 Interim Final Rule 12/08/04 69 FR 70919 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 Related RIN: Related to 0648-AN17 RIN: 0648-AS81 _______________________________________________________________________ 549. NOTICE OF CONTROL DATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIMITING ENTRY TO THE GENERAL CATEGORY FISHERY; ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action announces that NMFS is considering, and is seeking public comment on, proposed rulemaking to control future access to the open access vessel permit category (general category) sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) fishery if a management regime is developed and implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to limit the number of participants in this sector of the scallop fishery. This sector of the fishery includes vessels with general category permits as well as vessels with limited access scallop permits that land scallops while not on a scallop day-at-sea (DAS). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 11/01/04 69 FR 63341 ANPRM Comment Period End 12/01/04 Withdrawn 04/13/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9200 RIN: 0648-AS82 _______________________________________________________________________ 550. [bull] EMERGENCY RULE TO IMPLEMENT A TRIP LIMIT FOR THE COMMERCIAL GROUPER FISHERY IN THE GULF OF MEXICO FOR 2005 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: At its November 7-12, 2004, meeting, the Council considered a request from the Southern Offshore Fishing Association (SOFA) and Gulf Fishermen's Association (GFA) for an interim or emergency rule to establish commercial trip limits for shallow-water and deep-water grouper. SOFA and GFA maintained that the closure of both the deep- water grouper and shallow-water grouper fisheries, combined with the damaging effects of four hurricanes, severely impacted the Florida economy, especially regions along the west coast and Panhandle. Trip limits were requested to potentially extend the 2005 fishing season and delay an end-of-year closure, thus reducing potential adverse economic consequences for all sectors of the commercial grouper fishery, including those fishing communities dependent upon it. After considerable discussion, the Council voted to have NOAA Fisheries develop an emergency rule establishing trip limits for the commercial grouper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico for the 2005 fishing year. The intended effect of this emergency rule is to moderate the rate of harvest of the available quotas and, thereby, reduce the adverse socioeconomic effects of derby fishing, enable more effective quota monitoring, and reduce the probability of overfishing. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 02/17/05 70 FR 8037 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS97 _______________________________________________________________________ 551. [bull] EMERGENCY RULE TO REOPEN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR CHARTER VESSEL AND HEADBOAT PERMIT MORATORIUM IN GULF OF MEXICO Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would reopen the application process for the charter vessel and headboat moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico. Qualifying persons, who were unable to previously obtain a moratorium permit, will have to provide documentation that they were economically harmed by the permit moratorium. The intent of the emergency rule is to minimize adverse socioeconomic effects on Gulf charter vessel and headboat operators, who meet the original moratorium permit eligibility requirements but were unable to previously obtain a moratorium permit. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 04/01/05 70 FR 16754 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Roy Crabtree, Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 Phone: 727 570-5305 Fax: 727 570-5583 RIN: 0648-AS99 [[Page 26732]] _______________________________________________________________________ 552. [bull] ANNUAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION PACIFIC HALIBUT ANNUAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 773 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The AA for Fisheries, on behalf of the IPHC, publishes annual management measures governing the Pacific Halibut fishery which are approved by the Secretary of State. This action provides public notice of the effectiveness of these IPHC annual management measures and informs persons subject to them of their restrictions and requirements. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 02/25/05 70 FR 9242 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 Phone: 907 586-7221 Fax: 907 586-7249 RIN: 0648-AT06 _______________________________________________________________________ 553. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES: PERMIT EXEMPTIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 et seq; 16 USC 742a et seq; 31 USC 9701 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 222 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS amends its regulations to provide exceptions to prohibitions to allow Federal and State employees to perform conservation activities. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Withdrawn 03/10/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: LaMont Jackson, Fishery Biologist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East- West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-1401 Fax: 301 713-0376 Email: terri.jordan@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AO37 _______________________________________________________________________ 554. ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE 2002 SEASONAL AREA MANAGEMENT (SAM) PROGRAM Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Judicial, November 23, 2001, The Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts order. Final, Judicial, December 31, 2001, The Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts order. Abstract: NMFS is preparing regulations to implement a SAM program for the 2002 fishing year, which was identified as a measure under the RPA that resulted from the biological opinions prepared for the Northeast multispecies, monkfish, spiny dogfish, and American lobster fisheries. The 2002 SAM program is intended as an incremental step to provide endangered western North Atlantic right whales protection from entanglement with fishing gear used in those fisheries. NMFS is preparing an EIS for more comprehensive SAM regulations for 2003 and beyond, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to analyze the impacts on the human environment of the management alternatives under consideration. The measures that have been identified for the 2002 SAM proposed rulemaking requires reduction, elimination, and/or modification of certain types of fixed gear (i.e., gillnets and lobster traps) in specific areas off the Atlantic coast of the United States during times of the year when right whales are known to be present in significant concentrations. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 10/03/01 66 FR 50390 ANPRM Comment Period End 11/02/01 NPRM 11/28/01 66 FR 59394 NPRM Comment Period End 12/13/01 Final Action 01/09/02 67 FR 1142 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Patricia Lawson, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2322 Email: patricia.lawson@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AP68 _______________________________________________________________________ 555. TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS; TUNA PURSE SEINE VESSELS IN THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN (ETP) Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1315; 16 USC 951 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216; 50 CFR 300 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and Parties to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is promulgating regulations to conserve tunas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). Specifically, these regulations would: (1) Establish a register of U.S. vessels with a history of fishing in the ETP prior to June 28, 2002, and require that only vessels on that list would be authorized to use purse seines for fishing for tuna in the ETP; (2) limit the aggregate capacity of U.S. purse seine vessels that may fish full time for tuna in the ETP to 8,969 metric tons carrying capacity per year; (3) revise the requirements for maintaining and submitting tuna tracking and verification records; (4) ensure that owners of U.S. vessels on the register pay annual assessments; and (5) prohibit interference with enforcement and inspection activities, submission of false information, and other activities that would undermine the effectiveness of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, International Dolphin Conservation Program Act, and Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act. This rule is intended to contribute to the long-term conservation of tuna stocks at levels that support healthy fisheries. [[Page 26733]] Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/29/04 69 FR 63122 NPRM Comment Period End 11/29/04 Final Action 04/12/05 70 FR 19004 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 Related RIN: Related to 0648-AI85 RIN: 0648-AS05 _______________________________________________________________________ 556. TAKING AND IMPORTING MARINE MAMMALS: MILITARY READINESS ACTIVITIES AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216.3 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) amends its regulations to revise certain terms in the definition of harassment for military readiness activities and scientific research activities conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government pursuant to amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) enacted by the National Defense Authorization Act of fiscal year 2004 (NDAA). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Withdrawn 03/09/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS06 _______________________________________________________________________ 557. TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS; TUNA PURSE SEINE VESSELS IN THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule (1) allows the entry of yellowfin tuna into the United States under certain conditions from nations fully complying with the International Dolphin Conservation Program that otherwise would be under embargo, (2) allows U.S. vessels to set their purse seines on dolphins in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, (3) changes the standard for use of ``dolphin-safe'' labels for tuna products, and (4) ensures adequate tracking and verification of tuna exported from or sold in the United States that is purported to be dolphin-safe. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 09/13/04 69 FR 55288 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS45 _______________________________________________________________________ 558. REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE APPROACH TO NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531; 16 USC 1361 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 224 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would correct the regulations that prohibit approaches within 500 yards (460 m) of North Atlantic right whales (right whales). The purpose of this action is to correct errors contained in the text of the regulation that inadvertently refers to regulations contained in the previous paragraph within section 224.103. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 11/30/04 69 FR 69536 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS76 _______________________________________________________________________ 559. SEA TURTLE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL SHRIMP FISHING Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 to 1561 et seq CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS intends to publish a temporary 30-day rule to allow the shrimp fishery operating in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi to use tow times in lieu of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). The action is necessary because debris from hurricanes Ivan, Frances, and Charley have rendered TEDs ineffective at sea turtle exclusion. This action will benefit the shrimp fishery by allowing them to continue to fish while protecting sea turtles. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 10/15/04 69 FR 61155 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Federalism: This action may have federalism implications as defined in EO 13132. Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS79 [[Page 26734]] _______________________________________________________________________ 560. [bull] SEA TURTLE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL SHRIMP FISHING Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 to 1543 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NMFS publishes this rule to allow the shrimp fishery operating in Louisiana and Alabama to use tow times in lieu of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). The action is necessary because debris from Hurricane Ivan has rendered TEDs ineffective at sea turtle exclusion. This action will benefit the shrimp fishery by allowing them to continue to fish while protecting sea turtles. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 12/01/04 69 FR 69826 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: Businesses Government Levels Affected: Federal, State Federalism: This action may have federalism implications as defined in EO 13132. Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 RIN: 0648-AS91 _______________________________________________________________________ 561. [bull] TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO RIGHT WHALE LISTING UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 CFR Citation: 50 CFR 224.101b; 50 CFR 222.102; 50 CFR 226.203 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would remove two technical revisions made in an April 2003 final rule to the northern right whale listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS has determined that issuance of the 2003 final rule did not comply with the requirements of the ESA. This action corrects these mistakes by removing these technical revisions to 50 CFR and reinstating the language that existed before April 2003. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 01/11/05 70 FR 1830 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Laurie Allen, Director, Office of Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2332 Related RIN: Related to 0648-AQ74 RIN: 0648-AS94 _______________________________________________________________________ 562. REVISION OF OVERFLIGHT REGULATIONS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1431 et seq CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These regulations are being revised to clarify that they are for resource protection purposes. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Withdrawn 02/07/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Debra Malek, National Marine Sanctuary Program, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, N ORM 6, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-3125 RIN: 0648-AI91 _______________________________________________________________________ 563. INTERAGENCY CONSULTATION FOR THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1434(d) CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This action would implement the Federal agency consultation requirements of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Withdrawn 02/07/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal Agency Contact: Helen Golde, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Room 11536, Marine Sanctuaries Division, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-3145 RIN: 0648-AL06 _______________________________________________________________________ 564. INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING COMMERCIAL SUBMARINE CABLES IN NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 16 USC 1431 et seq; 16 USC 1531 et seq; 16 USC 1361 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 1451 et seq; . . . CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: NOAA is evaluating whether changes to existing National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) regulations or whether some form of policy guidance is necessary to clarify NOAA's decisionmaking process regarding the installation and maintenance of commercial submarine cables within NMS. If changes or additional guidance are appropriate, this action will consider what the changes should be or what the guidance should contain. This action also considers comments on principles on the installation of commercial submarine cables within the marine and coastal environment as a whole. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ ANPRM 08/23/00 65 FR 51264 ANPRM Comment Period End 10/23/00 Withdrawn 02/07/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Helen Golde, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Room 11536, Marine Sanctuaries Division, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 [[Page 26735]] Phone: 301 713-3145 RIN: 0648-AO36 _______________________________________________________________________ 565. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM FOR HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 33 USC 892(a); 33 USC 892(b); HSIA 2002 sec 303; HSIA 2002 sec 304 CFR Citation: 15 CFR 996 Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, December 19, 2004. The Administrator, by not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendment of 2002 [enacted Dec. 19, 2002], shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, develop and implement a quality assurance program that is equally available to all applicants, under which the Administrator may certify hydrographic products that satisfy the standards promulgated by the Administrator. Abstract: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been mandated to develop and implement a quality assurance program that is equally available to all applicants, under which the Administrator may certify hydrographic products that satisfy the standards promulgated by the Administrator. ``Hydrographic products'' are any publicly or commercially available product produced by a non- Federal entity that includes or displays hydrographic data. The Administrator proposes to fulfill this mandate by establishing procedures by which hydrographic products are proposed for certification; by which standards and compliance tests are developed, adopted, and applied for those products; and by which certification may awarded or denied. These procedures would be the mandated Quality Assurance Program, and the implementation of the program would be the execution of those procedures for specific hydrographic products. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/15/04 69 FR 61172 Final Action 01/05/05 70 FR 693 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: David Enabnit, Technical Director, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, N/CS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301 713-2770 Fax: 301 713-4019 Email: dave.enabnit@noaa.gov RIN: 0648-AS50 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Completed Actions National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) _______________________________________________________________________ 566. [bull] REPEAL OF MANDATORY REIMBURSEMENT RULES FOR FREQUENCY BAND OR GEOGRAPHIC RELOCATION OF FEDERAL SPECTRUM-DEPENDENT SYSTEMS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: PL 108-494; 47 USC 923(g) CFR Citation: 47 CFR 301 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is repealing its regulations governing reimbursement to Federal entities by the private sector as a result of reallocation of frequency spectrum. The agency is taking this action in accordance with Title II of Public Law 108-494, Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act, which repealed the provisions in the NTIA Organization Act under which the agency promulgated the regulations. The Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act established a fund within the Department of Treasury through which money will be provided to federal agencies for the costs incurred in relocating their radio communications systems. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Final Action 02/09/05 70 FR 6776 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Milton Brown, Deputy Chief Counsel, Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, HCHB Room 4713, 14th & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 Phone: 202 482-1816 Fax: 202 501-8013 Email: mbrown@ntia.doc.gov RIN: 0660-AA15 _______________________________________________________________________ Department of Commerce (DOC) Proposed Rule Stage Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) _______________________________________________________________________ 567. CHANGES TO REPRESENTATION OF OTHERS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 5 USC 500(a); 35 USC 2(b) 2(D) CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1; 37 CFR 2; 37 CFR 10; 37 CFR 11 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) amends its regulations to update the procedures regarding enrollment and discipline. The office also replaces the current USPTO Code of Professional Responsibility, which is based on the Model Code of Professional Responsibility of the American Bar Association, with USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct, which are based largely on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct of the American Bar Association. [[Page 26736]] Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 12/12/03 68 FR 66648 NPRM Comment Period End 02/12/04 Notice 03/03/04 69 FR 9986 Comment Period End 06/11/04 Final Action - Part I 06/24/04 69 FR 35428 NPRM 06/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 08/00/05 Final Action - Part II 06/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Additional Information: See 69 FR 9986-9987. Agency Contact: Harry I. Moatz, Director of Enrollment and Discipline, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Office of Enrollment and Discipline, P. O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313 Phone: 571 272-4097 Related RIN: Related to 0651-AB38 RIN: 0651-AB55 _______________________________________________________________________ 568. CHANGES IN TRADEMARK RULES OF PRACTICE IN INTER PARTES PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 15 USC 1067; 35 USC 2(8)(2)(A) CFR Citation: 37 CFR 2.101; 37 CFR 2.105; 37 CFR 2.111; 37 CFR 2.113; 37 CFR 2.119; 37 CFR 2.120(a); 37 CFR 2.120(d) to (g); 37 CFR 2.120(i) to (j); 37 CFR 2.121(a) to (b); 37 CFR 2.127(e) Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office amends its rules of practice in connection with inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to require initial disclosure of certain information, to make a telephone conference a prerequisite to the filing of an unconsented motion, and to permit service of documents by e-mail. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 09/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: James David Sams, Chief Administrative Trademark Judge, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, ST-9A03, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22313 Phone: 571 272-4304 Email: david.sams@uspto.gov RIN: 0651-AB56 _______________________________________________________________________ 569. REVISION OF EX PARTE AND INTER PARTES REEXAMINATION PRACTICE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2); 35 USC 301 to 318 CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) amends its rules of practice relating to ex parte and inter partes reexamination. The Office revises the rules of practice to clarify the substantial new question of patentability standard for a second or subsequent request for ex parte reexamination or inter partes reexamination, and to provide for a request for continued reexamination practice to permit entry of a limited number of submissions after a final rejection or action in an ex parte reexamination or inter partes reexamination. The Office also revises the rules of practice to require compliance with all the requirements of filing an inter parties reexamination before a filing date will be assigned to an inter parties reexamination, and to prohibit supplemental patent owner responses to an Office action in an inter parties reexamination without a showing of cause. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Robert W. Bahr, Senior Patent Attorney, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313 Phone: 571 272-8090 Email: robert.bahr@uspto.gov RIN: 0651-AB77 _______________________________________________________________________ 570. CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT THE REFUND PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK FEE MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2004 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2) CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: Among other changes to patent and trademark fees, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Consolidated Appropriations Act), splits the patent application filing fee into separate filing fee, search fee and examination fee, and also provides that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) may refund part or all of the excess claim fee and the search fee in certain situations. This action amends the rules of practice to implement the provisions for refunding part or all of the excess claim fee and for refunding part or all of the search fee in certain situations. The Office has implemented the changes to the patent fees provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act in a separate rule making. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Robert W. Bahr, Senior Patent Attorney, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313 Phone: 571 272-8090 Email: robert.bahr@uspto.gov Related RIN: Related to 0651-AB54, Related to 0651-AB69 RIN: 0651-AB79 [[Page 26737]] _______________________________________________________________________ 571. REVISION OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK FEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 35 USC 41; 35 USC 376; 35 USC 2(b)(2) CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1.16 to 1.21; 37 CFR 1.26; 37 CFR 1.445; 37 CFR 1.482; 37 CFR 1.492; 37 CFR 41.20; 37 CFR 2.6 Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, October 1, 2005, Final Action Effective Date. Abstract: This rulemaking revises certain patent and trademark fees to reflect fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) consistent with PL 105-358, as amended by PL 108-447. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 06/00/05 Final Action 07/00/05 Final Action Effective 10/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: C/OF Tamara McClure, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Crystal Park 1, Room 807, 2011 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 Phone: 703 308-5075 Email: tamara.mcclure@uspto.gov RIN: 0651-AB81 _______________________________________________________________________ 572. [bull] REVISION OF SIGNATURE AND POWER OF ATTORNEY PROVISIONS TO PROVIDE FOR PERSONS GRANTED LIMITED RECOGNITION TO PROSECUTE APPLICATIONS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2) CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1, 3 and 10 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) amends its rules of practice to allow a person acting with limited recognition to be given a power of attorney and authorized to sign amendments and other correspondence respecting patent applications, reexamination proceedings, and other proceedings. A person granted limited recognition is not a registered patent attorney or agent. Instead, such a person is either: one who has been authorized by the Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline to prosecute as attorney or agent one or more specified patent application or other patent proceedings (e.g., a parent of a child inventor); or a nonimmigrant alien residing in the United States with an appropriate visa. Furthermore, the Office amends its rules of practice to require that: a copy of the English translation of a foreign-language provisional application be filed in the provisional application if a non-provisional application claims the benefit of the provisional application; a copy of documentary evidence supporting a claim of ownership be recorded in the Office's assignment records when an assignee takes action in a patent matter; and separate copies of a document be submitted to the Office for recording in the Office's assignment records, each accompanied by a cover sheet, if the document to be recorded includes an interest in, or a transaction involving, both patents and trademarks. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/05 NPRM Comment Period End 07/00/05 Final Action 08/00/05 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Karin Ferriter L, Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, P. O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 Phone: 571 272-7744 Related RIN: Related to 0651-AB63 RIN: 0651-AB85 _______________________________________________________________________ 573. [bull] REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE A REDUCED FEE FOR FILING AN APPLICATION THROUGH THE TRADEMARK ELECTRONIC APPLICATION SYSTEM Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: PL 108-447 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005; 15 USC 1113(a); 35 USC 2 CFR Citation: 37 CFR 2.22, 2.6, 2.23, 2.62, 7.25 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) amends its rules to provide applicants with an additional filing fee option. Currently, an applicant may file a trademark application on paper and pay a filing fee of $375.00 per class or file an application through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) and pay a filing fee of $325.00 per class. The Office amends its rules to offer applicants the option of paying a reduced fee of $275.00 per class for filing an application through TEAS if the application meets certain filing requirements and the applicant responds to Office actions within two months of the mailing date, files communications regarding the application through TEAS, and agrees to receive communications concerning the application by electronic mail (e-mail). Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite _________________________________________________________