[The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Department of Commerce Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


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Part IV





Department of Commerce





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 74364]]



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

Fall 2002 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, 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 spring 2002 
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 fall 2002 regulatory agenda includes 
regulatory activities that are expected to be conducted during the 
period October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2003.

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, DC 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 August 9, 2002, the Office of 
Management and Budget issued guidelines and procedures for the 
preparation and publication of the Fall 2002 Unified Agenda of Federal 
Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq., requires agencies to publish, in April and October 
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.

     This edition of the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions includes The Regulatory Plan, which appears in 
part II of this issue of the Federal Register. The Department of 
Commerce's Statement of Regulatory Priorities is included in part 
II.

Explanation of Information Contained in the Agenda

    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 DOC fall 2002 regulatory agenda follows.

 Theodore W. Kassinger,

General Counsel.

                                    Office of the Secretary--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
483         Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Handicap, and Age in     0690-AA30
            Programs and Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance......................

[[Page 74365]]

 
484         Employee Responsibilities and Conduct; Removal of Obsolete Regulations..............     0690-AA32
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Bureau of Economic Analysis--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
485         Annual Survey of Selected Services Transactions With Unaffiliated Foreign Persons...     0691-AA43
486         Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States--2002............     0691-AA44
487         Transactions of U.S. Affiliate, Except U.S. Banking Affiliate, With Foreign Parent       0691-AA45
            (BE-605) and Transactions of U.S. Banking Affiliate With Foreign Parent (BE-605)....
488         Annual Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States.....................     0691-AA48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Bureau of Economic Analysis--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
489         Economic Development Administration Regulations.....................................     0691-AA47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                    Bureau of Economic Analysis--Discontinued Entries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Regulation
Identification                                             Title                                                  Date                 Comments
    Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0691-AA46        Initial Report on Foreign Person's Direct or Indirect Acquisition, Establishment, or           09/06/2002   Withdrawn
                 Purchase of Operating Assets, or U.S. Business Enterprise, Including Real Estate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    Bureau of the Census--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
490         Mandatory Automated Export System (AES) Filing for All Items on the Commerce Control     0607-AA34
            List (CCL) and the United States Munitions List (USML)..............................
491         Bureau of the Census Geographically Updated Population Certification Program........     0607-AA37
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                     Bureau of the Census--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
492         Special Services and Studies by the Bureau of the Census; Amendments to Age Search       0607-AA24
            Procedures..........................................................................
493         Reporting Value on Shipper's Export Declaration for Inland Freight and Insurance         0607-AA29
            Charges.............................................................................
494         Reporting the Value of Repairs and Replacement Parts on the Shipper's Export             0607-AA30
            Declaration.........................................................................
495         Notation of the Shipper's Export Declaration Filing Exemption Statement on Manifest      0607-AA31
            Documents...........................................................................
496         Cutoff Dates for Recognition of Boundary Changes for Census 2000 and for the             0607-AA35
            Intercensal Period..................................................................
497         Bureau of the Census Certification Process..........................................     0607-AA36
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 74366]]


                                    General Administration--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
498         Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)............................     0605-AA16
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    General Administration--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
499         Public Information, Freedom of Information and Privacy..............................     0605-AA14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    General Administration--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500         Uniform Administrative Requirement for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of        0605-AA09
            Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofits and Commercial Organizations......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                             International Trade Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
501         Proposed Changes in the Insular Possessions Watch, Watch Movement and Jewelry            0625-AA57
            Program.............................................................................
502         Short Supply of Fabric and Yarn.....................................................     0625-AA59
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              International Trade Administration--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
503         Procedures for Conducting Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews of Antidumping and                  0625-AA51
            Countervailing Duty Orders..........................................................
504         Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabric: Implementation of Tariff Rate Quote               0625-AA58
            Established Under Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000..................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              International Trade Administration--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
505         Export Trade Certificates of Review (15 CFR 325)....................................     0625-AA52
506         Establishment of Steel Import Licensing and Surge-Monitoring Program................     0625-AA60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              Bureau of Industry and Security--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
507         Mandatory Electronic Filing of License Applications, Classification Requests, and        0694-AC20
            License Exceptions Notifications via BIS's Simplified Network Application Process
            (SNAP)..............................................................................
508         Protective Equipment Export License Jurisdiction....................................     0694-AC64
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 74367]]


                                Bureau of Industry and Security--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
509         Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations.............................................     0694-AB06
510         Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations; Additions to the Entity List....     0694-AB60
511         Exports and Reexports of Explosive Detection Systems; Expansion of Foreign Policy        0694-AB87
            Controls............................................................................
512         Exports and Reexports to Sudan......................................................     0694-AC05
513         Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations Related to the Missile Technology     0694-AC22
            Control Regime (MTCR)...............................................................
514         Revisions and Clarifications to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).........     0694-AC24
515         License Exception AVS: Cuba, Libya, Serbia..........................................     0694-AC33
516         Chemical Weapons Convention: Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations.....     0694-AC35
517         Exports to Afghanistan (the Taliban) and Liberia: Imposition of Foreign Policy           0694-AC45
            Controls............................................................................
518         Elimination of ``National Security'' as a Reason for Control for Certain Items on        0694-AC54
            the Commerce Control List...........................................................
519         Imposition and Expansion of Controls on Designated Persons..........................     0694-AC60
520         Implementation of the 2002 Wassenaar Arrangement List of Dual-Use Items: Revisions       0694-AC65
            to Categories 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 of the Commerce Control List, General Software
            Note, and Reporting Requirements....................................................
521         Revision of Export Controls for General Purpose Microprocessors.....................     0694-AC66
522         License Application Denial Policy, ``Red Flag'' Indicators of Possible Inappropriate     0694-AC68
            End-Use, End-User or Destination....................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                               Bureau of Industry and Security--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
523         Transfer of Dual-Use Items From U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List....     0694-AA52
524         Administration of State Log Exports Ban.............................................     0694-AB25
525         Change the Commerce Control List To Revise Controls on Communication Intercepting        0694-AB41
            Devices (Export Commerce Control Number ECCN 5A980).................................
526         Clarification of License Exception GFT (Humanitarian Donations).....................     0694-AB49
527         Exports of Technology and Software; Release of Technology or Source Code to Foreign      0694-AB59
            Nationals in the United States......................................................
528         India and Pakistan Sanctions........................................................     0694-AB73
529         Expansion of License Exception CIV Eligibility for ``Microprocessors'' Controlled by     0694-AB90
            ECCN 3A001..........................................................................
530         Export of Technology and Software Through Electronic Transmissions, Downloads, and       0694-AB97
            Programming Onto Hardware...........................................................
531         Export Administration Regulations: Support Documentation............................     0694-AC04
532         Antiterrorism Controls on Iraq......................................................     0694-AC06
533         Expansion of License Exception GOV; Exports and Reexports to International               0694-AC15
            Organizations.......................................................................
534         De Minimis Expansion of Eligibility: U.S. Origin Software Incorporated Into Foreign-     0694-AC17
            Made Retail Commodities.............................................................
535         Revision to the Export Administration Regulations: Replacement Licenses.............     0694-AC23
536         Short Supply Controls: Crude Oil Exports............................................     0694-AC25
537         Offsets in Military Exports.........................................................     0694-AC27
538         Entity List: Additions and Revisions................................................     0694-AC28
539         Crime Control Items: Revisions to the Commerce Control List.........................     0694-AC31
540         Revisions to Encryption Items.......................................................     0694-AC32
541         Clarifications to Part 753: Special Comprehensive License Requirements..............     0694-AC34
542         Addition and Revision of Missile Projects in the Export Administration Regulations..     0694-AC46
543         Revision, Suspension, or Prohibition of Use of ``No License Required'' Provisions...     0694-AC47
544         Removal of Licensing Exemption for Exports and Reexports of Missile Technology-          0694-AC48
            Controlled Items Destined to Canada.................................................
545         Exports to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: Lifting of Sanctions.................     0694-AC57
546         Computer Technology and Software Eligible for Export or Reexport Under License           0694-AC63
            Exception TSR.......................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                               Bureau of Industry and Security--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
547         Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations; Country Group E:1; License           0694-AB76
            Exception TMP.......................................................................

[[Page 74368]]

 
548         Revisions to the North Korean Embargo Policy........................................     0694-AC10
549         Exports of Agricultural Commodities, Medicines and Medical Devices..................     0694-AC37
550         Implementation of the Wassenaar Arrangement List of Dual-Use Items Revisions:            0694-AC42
            Computers; and Revisions to License Exception CTP...................................
551         Licensing Jurisdiction for ``Space Qualified'' Items................................     0694-AC49
552         Missile Technology Production Equipment and Facilities..............................     0694-AC51
553         Revisions and Clarifications to the Export Administration Regulations--Nuclear           0694-AC52
            Nonproliferation Controls: Nuclear Suppliers Group..................................
554         Corrections and Clarifications to the Export Administration Regulations: Czech           0694-AC53
            Republic, Hungary, and Poland.......................................................
555         Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations as a Result of the September 2001     0694-AC55
            Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Plenary Meeting............................
556         Revisions to License Exception CTP: Implementation of Presidential Announcement of       0694-AC56
            January 2, 2002.....................................................................
557         Revision to Export Administration Regulations: Denied Persons List..................     0694-AC58
558         License Exception CIV Eligibility for Certain ``Microprocessors'' Controlled by ECCN     0694-AC59
            3A001...............................................................................
559         Implementation of the Wassenaar Arrangement List of Dual-Use Items and Other             0694-AC61
            Revisions to Encryption Items.......................................................
560         Revisions and Clarifications to the Export Administration Regulations--Chemical and      0694-AC62
            Biological Weapons Controls: Australia Group; Chemical Weapons Convention...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                  Bureau of Industry and Security--Discontinued Entries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Regulation
Identification                                             Title                                                  Date                 Comments
    Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0694-AC67        Clarification of Applicability of Entity List Restrictions to Certain Russian Entities         09/22/2002   Withdrawn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                         National Institute of Standards & Technology--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
561         Establishment of Information Technology Security Validation Programs Fees...........     0693-AB51
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                         National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Prerule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
562         Fleet Capacity Control for U.S. Tuna Purse Seine Fisheries in the Eastern Pacific        0648-AQ21
            Ocean...............................................................................
563         Fleet Capacity Control for U.S. Troll Albacore Tuna Fishing in Canadian Waters......     0648-AQ22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
564         Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico      0648-AG87
            and the U.S. Virgin Islands.........................................................
565         Establish Central Registry for Limited Access System Permits........................     0648-AJ77
566         Regulatory Amendment To Require Mandatory Observer Coverage in the At-Sea Processing     0648-AK26
            Sector of the Whiting Fishery.......................................................
567         Adjustment of Management Program: Bottomfish Fisheries in the Hawaiian Islands......     0648-AK82
568         Revise Exempted Fishing Regulations To Specify Compensatory Fishing Under Exempted       0648-AK84
            Fishing.............................................................................
569         Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Crustacean Fisheries of the          0648-AL67
            Western Pacific Region..............................................................
570         Regulatory Amendment to Reinstate 6000 Pound Trip Limit of Halibut in Area Northeast     0648-AL97
            of the Bering Sea...................................................................

[[Page 74369]]

 
571         Enhanced Measures To Mitigate Seabird Bycatch in the Alaska Longline Fisheries......     0648-AM30
572         Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Bottomfish Fisheries of the           0648-AM98
            Western Pacific Region..............................................................
573         Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf      0648-AN09
            of Mexico...........................................................................
574         Amendment 13 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management         0648-AN12
            Plan................................................................................
575         Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan....................     0648-AN16
576         Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan..................     0648-AN17
577         Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan Amendment for the Pelagic Fisheries of        0648-AN76
            the Western Pacific Region..........................................................
578         Resubmission of Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment Crustaceans, Bottomfish, and         0648-AN79
            Pelagics Regarding Overfishing Definitions..........................................
579         Regulatory Amendment Modifying the Gulf of Mexico BRD Protocol Under the Fishery         0648-AN84
            Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP)..................
580         Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic...........     0648-AN87
581         Fishery Management Plan for Northeast Skate.........................................     0648-AO10
582         Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for Precious Coral Fisheries in the           0648-AO47
            Western Pacific Region..............................................................
583         Fishery Management Plan for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic,               0648-AO63
            Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico (FMP).................................................
584         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Incidental Catch.     0648-AO75
585         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Exempted Fishing Permits Procedures..............     0648-AO79
586         Regulatory Amendment Under the Fishery Management Plan for Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish      0648-AP02
            (FMP) To Establish a Red Snapper Stock Rebuilding Plan and To Set Red Snapper
            Overfishing Targets and Thresholds..................................................
587         Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the       0648-AP03
            South Atlantic Region...............................................................
588         Revision of American Lobster Regulations for the EEZ................................     0648-AP18
589         Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Crab Species Covered by the Fishery           0648-AP25
            Management Plan for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs...........
590         Regulatory Amendment to Implement Permit Stacking in the Limited-Entry Fixed-Gear        0648-AP38
            Sablefish Fishery in 2002 and Beyond................................................
591         Implementation of Fishery Management Plan for Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Off     0648-AP42
            the West Coast......................................................................
592         Regulatory Amendment Under the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan...     0648-AP50
593         Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Resources of Puerto       0648-AP51
            Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands....................................................
594         Adjustment of Management Program: Bottomfish Fisheries in the Western Pacific.......     0648-AP53
595         Resubmission of Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment Bottomfish, Crustacean, and          0648-AP54
            Pelagics Regarding Bycatch Provisions...............................................
596         Resubmission of Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment Bottomfish, Crustaceans, and         0648-AP55
            Pelagics, and Precious Corals Regarding Fishing Communities.........................
597         Atlantic Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; Amendment 13.........................     0648-AP57
598         Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 9.....................     0648-AP60
599         Implement a Vessel Monitoring System Under the South Pacific Tuna Act...............     0648-AP61
600         Revise Community Development Quota Program Administration and Allocation Regulations     0648-AP67
601         Full Retention of Demersal Shelf Rockfish in Gulf of Alaska Area 650................     0648-AP73
602         Antarctic Marine Living Resources Vessel Monitoring System and Catch Documentation       0648-AP74
            Scheme..............................................................................
603         Amendment 10 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan.................     0648-AP87
604         IFQ Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements for Catcher Vessels....................     0648-AP92
605         Amendment to Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of Gulf of Mexico To        0648-AP95
            Set 10-Year Rebuilding Plan for Red Grouper.........................................
606         2003 Observer Program Requirements..................................................     0648-AQ05
607         Regulatory Amendment to Section 679 Permits or Permit-Related Issues................     0648-AQ07
608         2003 Initial Specifications for Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish............     0648-AQ15
609         Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Announcement of the 2003 Groundfish Fishery            0648-AQ18
            Specifications and Management Measures..............................................
610         Regulatory Amendment To Adjust Permit Renewal Requirements and Transferability           0648-AQ20
            Restrictions in NWHIs Hoomalu Zone and Mau Limited Access Programs..................
611         Secretarial Amendment 2 to Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan To Set Greater              0648-AQ24
            Amberjack Sustainable Fisheries Act Targets and Thresholds and To Set Rebuilding
            Plan................................................................................
612         Amendment 2 to Monkfish Fishery Management Plan.....................................     0648-AQ25
613         Annual Specifications for the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery for Fishing Year 2003.......     0648-AQ26
614         Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Amendment 2 to     0648-AQ27
            the Atlantic Salmon FMP.............................................................

[[Page 74370]]

 
615         Framework 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan....................     0648-AQ28
616         Framework 2 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan.................................     0648-AQ29
617         Annual Specifications for Fishing Year 2003 for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black     0648-AQ30
            Sea Bass Fishery....................................................................
618         Annual Specifications for the Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries for Fishing Year      0648-AQ31
            2003................................................................................
619         Recreational Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery for      0648-AQ32
            Fishing Year 2003...................................................................
620         Specifications for the Atlantic Herring Fishery for Fishery Year 2003...............     0648-AQ33
621         Specifications for the 2003-2004 Fishing Year for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery.........     0648-AQ34
622         Framework 37 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan..................     0648-AQ35
623         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Bigeye Tuna and Swordfish Trade Statistical     0648-AQ37
            Document Programs...................................................................
624         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); 2003 Bluefin Tuna Quota Specifications and      0648-AQ38
            Effort Controls.....................................................................
625         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Small Coastal Shark Commercial and              0648-AQ39
            Recreational Management Measures....................................................
626         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Large Coastal Shark Commercial and              0648-AQ40
            Recreational Management Measures....................................................
627         Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large     0648-AQ42
            Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations...............................................
628         EFH Amendments to the Bottomfish, Crustaceans, and Precious Corals FMPs.............     0648-AQ43
629         Increase in Allowable Percentage of Pollock Roe.....................................     0648-AQ44
630         Opening Waters to Pacific Cod Pot Fishing Off Cape Barnabas and Caton Island in the      0648-AQ45
            Gulf of Alaska......................................................................
631         Seasonal Adjustment of Closure Areas to Pollock and Pacific Cod Trawl Fishing in         0648-AQ46
            Waters Off Cape Sarichef in the Bering Sea Subarea..................................
632         Amend Regulations Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals..............     0648-AH83
633         Preventing Harassment From Human Activities Directed at Marine Mammals in the Wild..     0648-AN43
634         Endangered and Threatened Species: Permit Exemptions................................     0648-AO37
635         Captive Steller Sea Lions...........................................................     0648-AO61
636         Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocket Launches From the Kodiak Launch Complex,      0648-AP62
            Kodiak Island, Alaska...............................................................
637         Designating the Eastern North Pacific Southern Resident Stock of Killer Whales as        0648-AQ00
            Depleted............................................................................
638         Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large     0648-AQ04
            Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations...............................................
639         Revision of Overflight Regulations..................................................     0648-AI91
640         Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary...............................................     0648-AQ41
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
641         Regulatory Amendment To Allocate Pacific Halibut to the Charter Boat Fleet..........     0648-AK17
642         Proposed Highly Migratory Species Process...........................................     0648-AK40
643         Comprehensive Amendment Addressing Sustainable Fisheries Act Requirements Regarding      0648-AL86
            Overfishing, Bycatch, Fishing Communities and Provisions for Fishery Management
            Plans for the Caribbean.............................................................
644         Regulatory Amendment To Change the Regulations Implementing the North Pacific            0648-AM44
            Observer Program....................................................................
645         Framework Regulatory Amendment for the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS);          0648-AM91
            Fishing Vessel Permits; Charter Boat Operations.....................................
646         Implementation of Western Pacific Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishery Management Plan (FMP)     0648-AM97
647         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Monitoring of the Atlantic Billfish and     0648-AN06
            Swordfish Recreational Fisheries....................................................
648         Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of     0648-AN10
            Mexico..............................................................................
649         Amendments 61/61 for BSAI and GOA Groundfish; Amendment 13 for Commercial King and       0648-AN55
            Tanner Crab; and Amendment 8 for Alaska Scallop Fishery.............................
650         Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan...........................................     0648-AN68
651         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Swordfish Quotas and Fishing Areas...............     0648-AO93
652         American Lobster Fishery; Revisions to Lobster Trap Limits, Conservation Equivalency     0648-AP15
            in New Hampshire Waters, and Clarification of Lobster Management Boundaries per
            Addendum 1..........................................................................
653         Regulatory Amendment To Allow Experimental Setnet Sablefish Landings To Qualify          0648-AP39
            Limited-Entry Sablefish Endorsement Holders for Tier Assignment in the West Coast
            Primary Sablefish Fishery...........................................................
654         Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the South           0648-AP41
            Atlantic Region.....................................................................
655         Announcement of the Optimum Yield and Harvest Limit for Pacific Mackerel............     0648-AP43

[[Page 74371]]

 
656         Amendment to Regulations for Observer At-Sea Electronic Communication Equipment          0648-AP66
            Requirements for Vessels and Shoreside Processors in the North Pacific Groundfish
            Fisheries...........................................................................
657         Amendment 69 to the BSAI FMP -- AFA Coop Leasing....................................     0648-AP71
658         Protect Northeast Multispecies Groundfish Stocks....................................     0648-AP78
659         Amendment 60 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Gulf       0648-AP79
            of Alaska...........................................................................
660         Pacific Tuna Fisheries..............................................................     0648-AP86
661         Announcement of the Optimum Yield and Harvest Limit for Pacific Sardine.............     0648-AP88
662         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Regulatory Adjustments; NOAA Information        0648-AP89
            Collection Requirements.............................................................
663         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); 2002 Bluefin Tuna Quota Specifications and      0648-AP90
            Effort Controls.....................................................................
664         Extension of an Emergency Interim Rule To Implement 2002 Steller Sea Lion Protection     0648-AQ02
            Measures and Harvest Specifications for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Area and the
            Gulf of Alaska......................................................................
665         Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska -- Regulatory Amendment To           0648-AQ08
            Implement Steller Sea Lion Protect Measures.........................................
666         Subsistence Fishery for Pacific Halibut in Waters Off Alaska........................     0648-AQ09
667         Implementation of New Depth-Based Management Measures in the Pacific Coast               0648-AQ14
            Groundfish Fishery..................................................................
668         Capital Construction Fund Procedures................................................     0648-AQ16
669         2003-2004 Management Measures for Commercial, Recreational, and Treaty Indian Salmon     0648-AQ17
            Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California......................
670         Emergency Rule -- Groundfish Fishery Management Measures for January Through             0648-AQ19
            February 2003.......................................................................
671         Emergency Action to Expedite Reallocation of Sardine in the West Coast Coastal           0648-AQ47
            Pelagic Species Fishery.............................................................
672         Interagency Policy on the Prescription of Fishways Under Section 18 of the Federal       0648-AO70
            Power Act...........................................................................
673         Policy for Review of Mandatory Conditions Developed by the Departments of the            0648-AO84
            Interior and Commerce in the Context of Hydropower Licensing........................
674         Atlantic Large Whale 2002 Seasonal Area Management (SAM) Program....................     0648-AP68
675         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...........................................................................
676         Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan.......................................     0648-AL70
677         Draft Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts in Making Listing Decisions.....     0648-AL91
678         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Shrimp Fishery.................................     0648-AN62
679         Designated Critical Habitat: Proposed Critical Habitat for Northern California           0648-AO04
            Steelhead...........................................................................
680         Taking of the Cook Inlet, Alaska, Stock of Beluga Whales by Alaska Natives..........     0648-AO16
681         Restrictions on Pound Net Leaders To Enhance Turtle Protection in Virginia;              0648-AP81
            Threatened and Endangered Sea Turtle Conservation...................................
682         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Fishery Activities.............................     0648-AP91
683         Listing Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Designating Critical Habitat; 90-Day      0648-AP94
            Finding.............................................................................
684         Designation of Critical Habitat for Gulf Sturgeon...................................     0648-AQ03
685         Taking of Threatened or Endangered Species Incidental to Commercial Fishing              0648-AQ13
            Operations..........................................................................
686         Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large     0648-AQ23
            Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations...............................................
687         Natural Resource Damage Assessments Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.............     0648-AM80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
688         Fishery Management Plan for Calico Scallop Fishery in the South Atlantic Region          0648-AL78
            (FMP)...............................................................................
689         Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of        0648-AM23
            Mexico (FMP)........................................................................
690         Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf     0648-AN08
            of Mexico and South Atlantic FMP....................................................
691         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Fishery Activities (TEDs)......................     0648-AP16
692         Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and               0648-AQ11
            Butterfish Fisheries; Control Date for Atlantic Mackerel............................
693         Endangered and Threatened Species: Take of Threatened Southern Oregon/Northern           0648-AJ91
            California Coast Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) Coho Salmon..................
694         North Atlantic Whale Protection.....................................................     0648-AM85
695         Interagency Consultation for the National Marine Sanctuary Program..................     0648-AL06
696         Installing and Maintaining Commercial Submarine Cables in National Marine                0648-AO36
            Sanctuaries.........................................................................

[[Page 74372]]

 
697         Procedural Changes to the Federal Consistency Process...............................     0648-AP98
698         Regional Marine Research Program....................................................     0648-AF20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
699         Regulatory Amendment To Establish Permit and Reporting Requirements for Pelagic          0648-AJ08
            Troll and Handline Vessels Fishing Off Pacific Remote Islands of the United States..
700         Adjustment of the Management Program for Precious Corals Fisheries in the Western        0648-AK23
            Pacific.............................................................................
701         Amendment 54 to FMP for Groundfish Fishery of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area       0648-AK70
            and Amendment 54 to FMP for Groundfish of Gulf of Alaska............................
702         Fishing Capacity Reduction Program..................................................     0648-AK76
703         Crab Community Development Quota Reserves...........................................     0648-AL92
704         Amendment 67 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and the             0648-AM40
            Aleutian Islands Area...............................................................
705         Regulatory Amendment To Prevent or Mitigate the Take of Sea Turtles in the Western       0648-AN75
            Pacific Pelagic Fisheries...........................................................
706         Generic Amendment Addressing the Establishment of the Tortugas Marine Reserves Under     0648-AN83
            the Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico..................................
707         Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab Fishery Off the           0648-AO23
            Southern Atlantic States (FMP)......................................................
708         Regulatory Amendment to Modify the Management Program for the Western Pacific            0648-AO35
            Pelagic Fisheries to Mitigate the Take of Seabirds..................................
709         Amendment 11 to Fishery Management Plan for Shrimp Fishery of Gulf of Mexico (FMP)..     0648-AO51
710         Amendments to FMPs for Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Gulf of Mexico and South             0648-AO62
            Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources To Limit Entry Into Gulf of Mexico
            Recreational-For-Hire Fisheries.....................................................
711         Recreational Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries        0648-AO91
            for Fishing Year 2002...............................................................
712         Specifications for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery for Fishing Year 2002..................     0648-AP07
713         Framework 1 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan for Fishing Year 2002;               0648-AP11
            Disapproval of Framework............................................................
714         Framework Adjustment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic Mackerel,         0648-AP12
            Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries.....................................................
715         Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Pelagic Longline Fishery; Sea Turtle Protection       0648-AP49
            Measures............................................................................
716         2002-2003 Management Measures for Commercial, Recreational, and Treaty Indian Salmon     0648-AP52
            Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California......................
717         Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Specifications for Fishing Year 2002.....................     0648-AP59
718         Pacific Halibut Fisheries Catch Sharing Plan........................................     0648-AP80
719         Imposing Additional Restrictions in the Hawaii-Based Longline Fishery...............     0648-AP84
720         Implement 2002 Pacific Whiting Specifications.......................................     0648-AP85
721         Control Date for Longline Vessels Fishing for Pelagic Species in the EEZ Around          0648-AQ01
            American Samoa......................................................................
722         Change of Title for the Salmon FMP..................................................     0648-AQ10
723         Notice of Control Date for Hagfish Fishery..........................................     0648-AQ12
724         Regulatory Amendment To Correct the Definition of ``Eligible Applicant'' for a Crab      0648-AQ36
            Species License.....................................................................
725         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Fishery Activities.............................     0648-AP63
726         Endangered Species; Transferring Permits............................................     0648-AP64
727         Rulemaking for the Incidental Taking of Marine Mammals During Worldwide Deployment       0648-AM62
            of the U.S. Navy's Low Frequency Active Sonar.......................................
728         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Summer Flounder Fishery........................     0648-AM89
729         Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Oil and Gas     0648-AP83
            Structure Removal Activities in the Gulf of Mexico..................................
730         Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Atlantic Large     0648-AP93
            Whale Take Reduction Plan Regulations...............................................
731         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Restrictions Applicable to Shrimp Trawl             0648-AP96
            Activities; Leatherback Conservation Zone...........................................
732         Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction; Temporary Area and Gear Restrictions...........     0648-AP97
733         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Restrictions Applicable to Shrimp Trawl             0648-AP99
            Activities; Leatherback Conservation Zone...........................................

[[Page 74373]]

 
734         Sea Turtle Conservation Regulations; Restrictions Applicable to Shrimp Trawl             0648-AQ06
            Activities; Leatherback Conservation Zone...........................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                          National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--Discontinued Entries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Regulation
Identification                                             Title                                                  Date                 Comments
    Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0648-AM07        Fishery Management Plan Amendment To Revise Community Development Quota Regulations            07/25/2002   Withdrawn
0648-AM94        Amendment 62 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands      08/28/2002   Withdrawn
                 Management Area and Amendment 62 to the FMP for the Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska
0648-AN03        Prohibit Use of Set Net Gear To Harvest Groundfish in Certain Portions of the Exclusive        06/25/2002   Withdrawn
                 Economic Zone Waters Seaward of California
0648-AN19        Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan                                    08/12/2002   Withdrawn
0648-AN20        Amendment 14 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan                             08/12/2002   Withdrawn
0648-AO55        Amendment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan          08/12/2002   Withdrawn
0648-AP45        Secretarial Amendment to Implement Annual Adjustment Measures for the Northeast                08/14/2002   Withdrawn
                 Multispecies Fishery for Fishing Year 2002
0648-AP56        Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Framework 3                               08/12/2002   Withdrawn
0648-AP58        Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Amendment 1                                                             08/12/2002   Withdrawn
0648-AP82        Suspension of the Texas Closure in Accordance With the Fishery Management Plan for the         05/09/2002   Withdrawn
                 Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  National Telecommunications and Information Administration--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
735         Mandatory Reimbursement Rules for Relocation of Federal Spectrum....................     0660-AA14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Patent and Trademark Office--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
736         Rules of Practice Before the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences in Appeals        0651-AB27
            Under 35 U.S.C. 134.................................................................
737         Changes in Rules of Practice for Patent Interferences and Related Proceedings.......     0651-AB32
738         Changes To Improve the Patent and Application Process...............................     0651-AB50
739         Revision of the Fees for Request for Continued Examination and the URAA Transitional     0651-AB53
            Examination Practices...............................................................
740         Changes in Trademark Rules of Practice in Inter Partes Proceedings Before the            0651-AB56
            Trademark Trial and Appeal Board....................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                  Patent and Trademark Office--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
741         Complaints Regarding Invention Promoters............................................     0651-AB12
742         Elimination of Continued Prosecution Application Practice as to Utility and Plant...     0651-AB37
743         Revision of Patent and Trademark Fees for Fiscal Year 2003..........................     0651-AB51

[[Page 74374]]

 
744         Changes To Implement Patent-Related Provisions of United States Patent and Trademark     0651-AB54
            Reauthorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003...............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Patent and Trademark Office--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
745         Correspondence Filed in the Patent and Trademark Office.............................     0651-AB17
746         Madrid Protocol Implementation Act Rules Change.....................................     0651-AB45
747         Processing Fee for Use of Paper Forms for Submission of Applications for                 0651-AB52
            Registration and Other Documents....................................................
748         Changes to Representation of Others Before the United States Patent and Trademark        0651-AB55
            Office..............................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 Patent and Trademark Office--Completed Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
749         Rulemaking Related to Electronic Filing of Trademark Documents......................     0651-AB31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                    Patent and Trademark Office--Discontinued Entries
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Regulation
Identification                                             Title                                                  Date                 Comments
    Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0651-AB34        Development of Plan To Remove Patent and Trademark Classified Paper Files From Public          04/09/2002   Withdrawn
                 Search Facilities
0651-AB38        Changes to Representation of Others Before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office                08/30/2002   Merged With RIN 0651-AB55
0651-AB46        Patent and Trademark Office Acquisition Regulation                                             08/30/2002   Withdrawn
0651-AB47        Surcharge for the Use of Non-Electric, Paper Forms for Submission of Applications for          05/17/2002   Withdrawn
                 Registration and Other Documents
0651-AB48        Amendment of Rule Regarding Filing of Trademark Correspondence via Express Mail                08/30/2002   Withdrawn
0651-AB49        Revision of Patent and Trademark Fees for Fiscal Year 2003                                     06/28/2002   Withdrawn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   Technology Administration--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Regulation
 Sequence                                          Title                                          Identification
  Number                                                                                              Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
750         Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under      0692-AA14
            Government Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements............................
751         Acquisition and Protection of Foreign Rights in Inventions..........................     0692-AA15
752         Amendment to Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business     0692-AA18
            Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 74375]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


Office of the Secretary (OS)



_______________________________________________________________________




483. NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, 
HANDICAP, AND AGE IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL 
ASSISTANCE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 42 USC 794; 42 USC 2000d to 2000d-7; 42 USC 6101 to 
6107; EO 12250

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 8; 15 CFR 8b; 15 CFR 8c; 15 CFR 20

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Department of Commerce proposes to make amendments to its 
regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
(Title VI), section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1972 (section 
504), and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (Age Discrimination Act). 
Together, these statutes prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, 
color, national origin, disability, and age in programs or activities 
that receive Federal financial assistance. In 1988, the Civil Rights 
Restoration Act (CRRA) added definitions of ``program or activity'' and 
``program'' to Title VI and added a definition of ``program or 
activity'' to section 504 and the Age Discrimination Act. The added 
definitions were designed to clarify the broad scope of coverage of 
recipients' programs or activities under these statutes. The 
promulgation of this proposed regulation explicitly incorporates the 
CRRA's definition of ``program or activity'' and ``program'' into the 
Department's Title VI, section 504, and Age Discrimination Act 
regulations. The Department's proposed regulation will be published as 
part of a joint notice of proposed rulemaking involving up to 24 
Federal agencies.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/06/00                    65 FR 76460
NPRM Comment Period End         01/05/01
Final Action                    12/00/02
Final Action Effective          01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Lawrence N. Self, Acting Director, Office of Civil 
Rights, Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary, HCHB Room 
6010, 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-0625
Fax: 202 482-5375

RIN: 0690-AA30
_______________________________________________________________________




484. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT; REMOVAL OF OBSOLETE 
REGULATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 301; 5 USC 7301; 5 USC 7353; 26 USC 7214(b); EO 
12731; ...

CFR Citation: 15 CFR

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Department of Commerce issues this final rule to remove 
obsolete sectors of the Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulation 
concerning the policies and procedures relating to employee 
responsibilities and conduct.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Douglas Ligor, Attorney Advisor, Department of 
Commerce, Office of the Secretary, HCHB Room 5898C, 14th & Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-0127
Fax: 202 482-2998

RIN: 0690-AA32
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                        Proposed Rule Stage


Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)



_______________________________________________________________________




485. ANNUAL SURVEY OF SELECTED SERVICES TRANSACTIONS WITH UNAFFILIATED 
FOREIGN PERSONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 801

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action will amend existing rule 15 CFR 801 to raise the 
threshold for reporting on the BE-22, Annual Survey of Selected 
Services Transactions with Unaffiliated Foreign Persons, and to bring 
the survey into conformity with the BE-20, Benchmark Survey of Selected 
Services Transactions with Unaffiliated Foreign Persons.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: State

Agency Contact: R. David Belli, Chief, International Investment 
Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 
14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 606-9807
Fax: 202 606-5318
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0691-AA43
_______________________________________________________________________




486. BENCHMARK SURVEY OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED 
STATES--2002

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 806

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action will amend existing rule 15 CFR 806.17 to provide 
for the conduct of the BE-12, Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct 
Investment in the United States--2002, 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 1997 which has been completed and which the new survey will 
update.

[[Page 74376]]

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: R. David Belli, Chief, International Investment 
Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 
14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 606-9807
Fax: 202 606-5318
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0691-AA44
_______________________________________________________________________




487. TRANSACTIONS OF U.S. AFFILIATE, EXCEPT U.S. BANKING AFFILIATE, WITH 
FOREIGN PARENT (BE-605) AND TRANSACTIONS OF U.S. BANKING AFFILIATE WITH 
FOREIGN PARENT (BE-605)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 806

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action will amend existing rule 15 CFR 806.15 on the BE-
605, Transactions of U.S. Affiliated, Except a U.S. Banking Affiliate, 
with Foreign Parent and BE-605 Bank, Transactions of U.S. Banking 
Affiliate with Foreign Parent, to bring the survey into conformity with 
the BE-12, Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United 
States--2002.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: R. David Belli, Chief, International Investment 
Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 
14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 606-9807
Fax: 202 606-5318
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0691-AA45
_______________________________________________________________________




488. [bull] ANNUAL SURVEY OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED 
STATES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 22 USC 3101 to 3108

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 806

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action will amend existing rule CFR 806.15 to raise the 
threshold for reporting on the BE-15, Annual Survey of Foreign Direct 
Investment in the United States, and to bring the survey into 
conformity with the BE-12, Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct 
Investment in the United States--2002.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         08/00/03
Final Action                    09/00/03
Final Action Effective          10/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: R. David Belli, Chief, International Investment 
Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-50, 
14th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 606-9807
Fax: 202 606-5318
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0691-AA48
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Long-Term Actions


Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)



_______________________________________________________________________




489. [bull] ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 42 USC 3121 et seq; 19 USC 3

CFR Citation: 13 CFR ch III

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) will review the 
existing regulations implementing the requirements of the Economic 
Development Administration Reform Act of 1998 and part 3 of the Trade 
Act of 1974 as amended to determine the appropriateness and 
effectiveness of those regulations and whether they conflict with any 
recent case law. EDA is also subject to reauthorization and will review 
its regulations to identify any changes necessary to comply with the 
reauthorizing legislation.

Timetable: Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Local, Tribal

Agency Contact: Claudia Nadig, Chief Counsel, Department of Commerce, 
Bureau of Economic Analysis, HCHB 7005, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-4687
Fax: 202 482-5671
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0691-AA47

[[Page 74377]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                        Proposed Rule Stage


Bureau of the Census (CENSUS)



_______________________________________________________________________




490. MANDATORY AUTOMATED EXPORT SYSTEM (AES) FILING FOR ALL ITEMS ON THE 
COMMERCE CONTROL LIST (CCL) AND THE UNITED STATES MUNITIONS LIST (USML)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: PL 106-113, title XII

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 30

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of the Census is amending the Foreign Trade 
Statistics Regulations to specify the Requirement for the Mandatory 
Automated Export System (AES) filing for all items on the Department of 
Commerce's Commerce Control List (CCL) and the United States Munitions 
List (USML) of the Department of State. The AES is an electronic method 
by which export information can be transmitted. This amendment will 
specify the provisions and the responsibilities of parties exporting 
commodities identified on the CCL and USML via AES.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Ruth Mangaroo, Regulations, Outreach, & Education 
Branch, Foreign Trade Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census, Room 3125, FB-3, Washington, DC 20233
Phone: 301 457-2238
Fax: 301 457-3765

RIN: 0607-AA34
_______________________________________________________________________




491. [bull] BUREAU OF THE CENSUS GEOGRAPHICALLY UPDATED POPULATION 
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 50

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of the Census will reinstate the process for 
requesting certification of population and housing counts for 
governmental units that change boundaries or that newly incorporate or 
organize. To create a consistent process to meet the anticipated demand 
for certifying these counts, the Bureau of the Census proposes amending 
title 15 CFR part 50, by adding a new section that provides the 
procedures for this certification process.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Rodger V. Johnson, Department of Commerce, Bureau of 
the Census, Population Division Room 2324 FB-3, Population Distribution 
Branch, Washington, DC 20233
Phone: 301 763-2419
Fax: 301 457-2481

RIN: 0607-AA37
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


Bureau of the Census (CENSUS)



_______________________________________________________________________




492. SPECIAL SERVICES AND STUDIES BY THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS; 
AMENDMENTS TO AGE SEARCH PROCEDURES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 15 USC 1256; 13 USC 8

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 50.1(d); 15 CFR 80.1(c); 15 CFR 80.1(g); 15 CFR 
50.5

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Chapter 1, part 50.1(d) should be amended to read as follows: 
If a search is unsuccessful and additional information for a further 
search is requested by the Bureau, such information must be received 
within 90 days of the request or the case will be considered closed. 
Additional information received after 90 days must be accompanied by a 
new fee and will be considered a new request. Chapter 1, part 80.1(c): 
Change the address from Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 to Jeffersonville, 
Indiana 47131. Chapter 1, part 80.1(g): The language may be clarified 
by changing it to read: Census information will not be furnished to 
another person unless the person to whom the information relates 
authorizes such release in the space provided on the Form BC-600. 
Chapter 1, part 50.5: The note following the chart of the fee structure 
can be eliminated since we have not had a fee increase since February 
1993.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/17/01                    66 FR 48013
NPRM Comment Period End         10/17/01
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Stanley M. Domzalski, Assistant Chief (Services), 
National Processing Center, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census, 1201 East 10th Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47132
Phone: 812 218-3579
Fax: 812 218-3293

RIN: 0607-AA24
_______________________________________________________________________




493. REPORTING VALUE ON SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION FOR INLAND FREIGHT 
AND INSURANCE CHARGES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 13 USC 301; 13 USC 302

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 30.7(q)

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of the Census is amending the Foreign Trade 
Statistics Regulations to clarify the provisions for reporting the 
value of merchandise on the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) when the 
inland freight and insurance charges are not known. Current provisions 
define the value to be reported on the SED as the value at the U.S. 
port of export including inland freight and insurance charges. In 
situations where inland freight and insurance charges are not known the

[[Page 74378]]

Census Bureau will require that the exporter add 3 percent of the value 
of the commodity to the value to determine the total value to be 
reported on the SED.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Ruth Mangaroo, Regulations, Outreach, & Education 
Branch, Foreign Trade Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census, Room 3125, FB-3, Washington, DC 20233
Phone: 301 457-2238
Fax: 301 457-3765

RIN: 0607-AA29
_______________________________________________________________________




494. REPORTING THE VALUE OF REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ON THE 
SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 13 USC 301; 13 USC 302

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 30.30(c)

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of the Census is amending the Foreign Trade 
Statistics Regulations to clarify provisions for reporting the value of 
exports that were previously imported for repairs or alterations, and 
the value of replacement parts. This amendment will clarify provisions 
for reporting the cost of repairs and/or alterations and reporting the 
value of replacement parts on the Shipper's Export Declaration.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Ruth Mangaroo, Regulations, Outreach, & Education 
Branch, Foreign Trade Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census, Room 3125, FB-3, Washington, DC 20233
Phone: 301 457-2238
Fax: 301 457-3765

RIN: 0607-AA30
_______________________________________________________________________




495. NOTATION OF THE SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION FILING EXEMPTION 
STATEMENT ON MANIFEST DOCUMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 13 USC 301; 13 USC 302

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 30.50

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of the Census is amending the Foreign Trade 
Statistics Regulations (FTSR) to clarify provisions for making 
notations on the Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) filing exemption 
statement on the bill of lading, air waybill, or other loading document 
for carrier use, in all cases when an SED is not required to be filed. 
This amendment will require the exporter to refer to the specific FTSR 
section, explaining the exemption criteria, whenever an SED is not 
required to be filed with the statement ``No SED Required, FTSR 30.XX'' 
on the manifest document.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Ruth Mangaroo, Regulations, Outreach, & Education 
Branch, Foreign Trade Division, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census, Room 3125, FB-3, Washington, DC 20233
Phone: 301 457-2238
Fax: 301 457-3765

RIN: 0607-AA31
_______________________________________________________________________




496. 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                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Local

Agency Contact: Robert W. Marx, Chief, Geography Division, Department 
of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Stop 7400, 4700 Silver Hill Road, 
Washington, DC 20233-7400
Phone: 301 457-2131
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0607-AA35
_______________________________________________________________________




497. [bull] BUREAU OF THE CENSUS CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 15 USC 192; 15 USC 189a; 13 USC 8

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 50.50(a); 15 CFR 50.50(b); 15 CFR 50.50(c)

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Part 50.50(a): Upon request, the Census Bureau certifies 
certain statistical materials (such as the population and housing unit 
counts of government entities, published tabulations, maps, and other 
documents). The Census Bureau charges customers a preset fee for this 
service according to the kind of certification requested (either an 
impressed document or an attestation) and the level of difficulty 
involved in compiling it (easy, moderate, or difficult, determined 
according to the resources expended) as well as the set cost of the 
data product to be certified. Certification prices range from $70 to 
$240.
Part 50.50(b): There are two forms of certification available: 
Impressed Documents and Attestations. (1) Impressed Documents. An 
impressed document is one that is certified by

[[Page 74379]]

impressing the Census Bureau seal on the document itself. (2) 
Attestations. Attestation is a more formal process of certification. It 
consists of a signed statement by a Census Bureau official that the 
document is authentic and produced or published by the agency, followed 
by a signed statement of another Census Bureau official witnessing the 
authority of the first.
Part 50.50(c): Requests for certification should be submitted on Form 
BC-1868(EF), Request for Official Certification, to the Census Bureau 
by fax, (301) 457-4714 or by e-mail, [email protected]. No 
certification request will be processed without payment of the required 
fee.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/04/02                    67 FR 38445
NPRM Comment Period             07/05/02
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Les Solomon, Chief, Customer Services Center, 
Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, FB-3, Room 1579, 
Washington, DC 20233
Phone: 301 763-5377
Fax: 301 457-4714

RIN: 0607-AA36
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


General Administration (ADMIN)



_______________________________________________________________________




498. GOVERNMENTWIDE DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION (NONPROCUREMENT)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 301; PL 103-355, sec 2455; 31 USC 6101; EO 
12549; EO 12689

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 26

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Periodically, OMB amends the Governmentwide common rule for 
suspension and debarment of contractors and assistance participants who 
threaten the integrity of Federal programs because of criminal 
misconduct or poor performance. Agencies must issue changes to their 
individual codified versions to conform to the common rule. Recently, 
the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Coordinating Committee 
prepared recommendations for comprehensive changes to the common rule 
to conform to changes made in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 
as a result of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act. In addition, 
several other proposals to improve or change the rule are included.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/23/02                     67 FR 3266
NPRM Comment Period End         03/23/02
Final Action                    03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Robert Kugelman, Director, Office of Executive 
Budgeting and Assistance Management, Department of Commerce, HCHB Room 
6022, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-4115
Fax: 202 482-3270

RIN: 0605-AA16
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Long-Term Actions


General Administration (ADMIN)



_______________________________________________________________________




499. PUBLIC INFORMATION, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRIVACY

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 4; 15 CFR 4a; 15 CFR 4b

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/31/00                    65 FR 34606


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Andy McCready
Phone: 202 482-8044

RIN: 0605-AA14

[[Page 74380]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Completed Actions


General Administration (ADMIN)



_______________________________________________________________________




500. UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENT FOR GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS WITH 
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER NONPROFITS AND 
COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 14

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      10/01/01                    66 FR 49827

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Elizabeth L. Dorfman
Phone: 202 482-4115

RIN: 0605-AA09
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                        Proposed Rule Stage


International Trade Administration (ITA)



_______________________________________________________________________




501. PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE INSULAR POSSESSIONS WATCH, WATCH MOVEMENT 
AND JEWELRY PROGRAM

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: PL 97-446, sec 110; PL 103-465, sec 602; PL 94-241, 
sec 601; PL 106-36, sec 2401

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 303

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The proposed rule would amend ITA regulations by defining the 
term ``permanent resident'' in order to clarify which wages qualify as 
creditable and which do not for purposes of calculating the duty-refund 
for watches and jewelry.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/23/01                    66 FR 28404
Final Rule                      07/02/01                    66 FR 34810
NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Faye Robinson, Acting Director, Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration, FCB Suite 4100W, Statutory Import 
Staff Programs, Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-3526

RIN: 0625-AA57
_______________________________________________________________________




502. [bull] SHORT SUPPLY OF FABRIC AND YARN

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: PL 106-200, sec 112(b)(5)(B); PL 106-200, sec 211; EO 
13191

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 345

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The proposed rule implements certain provisions of the Trade 
and Development Act of 2000 (the Act). Title I of the Act (the African 
Growth and Opportunity Act or AGOA) and Title II of the Act (the United 
States--Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act or CBTPA) provide for 
quota and duty-free treatment for qualifying apparel products from 
designated beneficiary countries. AGOA and CBTPA authorize quota and 
duty-free treatment for apparel articles that are both cut (or knit-to-
shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more designated 
beneficiary countries from yarn or fabric that is not formed in the 
United States or a beneficiary country, provided it has been determined 
that such yarn or fabric cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner. The President has delegated 
to the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (the 
Committee), which is chaired by Commerce, the authority to determine 
whether yarn or fabric cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner under the AGOA and the CBTPA, 
and has authorized the Committee to extend quota and duty-free 
treatment to apparel of such yarn or fabric. The proposed rule provides 
the procedure for interested parties to submit a request alleging that 
a yarn or fabric cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner, the procedure for public 
comments, and relevant factors that will be considered in the 
Committee's determination. The proposed rule also outlines the factors 
to be considered by the Committee in extending quota- and duty-free 
treatment.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Janet Heinzen, International Trade Specialist, 
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, 3106, 
Office of Textiles and Apparel, Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-4006

RIN: 0625-AA59

[[Page 74381]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


International Trade Administration (ITA)



_______________________________________________________________________




503. 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                    04/00/03

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
_______________________________________________________________________




504. IMPORT OF CERTAIN WORSTED WOOL FABRIC: IMPLEMENTATION OF TARIFF 
RATE QUOTE ESTABLISHED UNDER TITLE V OF THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 
2000

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: PL 106-200, sec 501-504; Title V of the Trade and 
Development Act of 2000; Presidential Proclamation No. 7383 (December 
1, 2000)

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 335; 15 CFR 340

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: On January 22, 2001, the Department of Commerce issued 
interim regulations implementing section 501(e) and section 504(b) of 
the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (the Act). Section 501(e) 
requires the President to fairly allocate tariff rate quotas on the 
import of certain worsted wool fabrics, tariff rate quotas which were 
established by sections 501(a) and 501(b) of the Act. Section 504(b) 
authorizes the President to modify the limitations on worsted wool 
fabric imports under the tariff rate quotas. The President has 
delegated to the Secretary of Commerce the authority to allocate the 
quantity of imports under the tariff rate quotas and to determine 
whether the limitations on the quantity of imports under the tariff 
rate quotas should be modified. Final regulations will be issued after 
the period for notice and comment has expired.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              01/22/01                     66 FR 6459
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      03/23/01
Final Rule                      11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

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-AA58
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Long-Term Actions


International Trade Administration (ITA)



_______________________________________________________________________




505. EXPORT TRADE CERTIFICATES OF REVIEW (15 CFR 325)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 325

Timetable: Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Jeffery Anspacher
Phone: 202 482-5131
Fax: 202 482-1790

RIN: 0625-AA52
_______________________________________________________________________




506. [bull] ESTABLISHMENT OF STEEL IMPORT LICENSING AND SURGE-MONITORING 
PROGRAM

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 19 USC 2251 et seq

CFR Citation: 19 CFR ch III

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: On March 5, 2002, the President issued Proclamation 7529 - To 
Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition of Certain Steel 
Products. In this Proclamation, the President ordered restrictions and 
increased tariffs on imports of certain steel products. Also on March 
5, 2002, the President issued a memorandum instructing the Secretary of 
Commerce, together with the Secretary of the Treasury, to implement a 
licensing program to give effect to the positive adjustments contained 
in Proclamation 7529. Pursuant to these instructions, these procedures 
have been proposed.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/18/02                    67 FR 47338


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Roland MacDonald, Department of Commerce, International

[[Page 74382]]

Trade Administration, Room 3713, 14th and Pennsysvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-1275

RIN: 0625-AA60
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                        Proposed Rule Stage


Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)



_______________________________________________________________________




507. MANDATORY ELECTRONIC FILING OF LICENSE APPLICATIONS, CLASSIFICATION 
REQUESTS, AND LICENSE EXCEPTIONS NOTIFICATIONS VIA BIS'S SIMPLIFIED 
NETWORK APPLICATION PROCESS (SNAP)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401; 50 USC 1701; 18 USC 2510; 22 USC 
3201; EO 12058; EO 12851; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222; 66 FR 56965; 67 
FR 53721; EO 12924, 59 FR 43437, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 917; EO 13026, 
61 FR 58767, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 228; ...

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 743; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 
754; 15 CFR 772

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule would change the Export Administration Regulations 
as needed to implement a revised version of the Bureau of Industry and 
Security's Simplified Network Application Processing (SNAP) system. 
This rule also would make use of that system mandatory for all filings 
of Export License applications (except Special Comprehensive Licenses 
and deemed export licenses), Reexport Authorization requests, 
Classification requests, Encryption Review requests, and License 
Exception AGR notifications unless the Bureau of Industry and Security 
authorizes paper filing for a particular user or transaction. This rule 
also would authorize SNAP filing for special reports of certain items 
controlled under the Wassenaar Arrangement. This rule also would 
eliminate all provisions of the regulations associated with earlier 
versions of SNAP and other electronic filing systems that the Bureau of 
Industry and Security has used in the past, as use of those systems 
would be terminated upon introduction of the new version of SNAP (SNAP 
2002). Those eliminated provisions include the requirements regarding 
personal identification numbers (PINs) and the requirement for users to 
keep logs of items filed electronically. This rule also would require 
that requests for advisory opinions include the Export Control 
Classification Number of the item(s) at issue, revise emergency license 
application procedures, set the value of all aircraft licensed for 
temporary sojourn abroad to zero and correct some omissions, 
misstatements and typographical errors.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

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
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC20
_______________________________________________________________________




508. [bull] PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT EXPORT LICENSE JURISDICTION

Priority: Routine and Frequent

Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 1A004 in the 
Commerce Control List (CCL) provides that protection and detection 
equipment and components not specially designed for military use are 
subject to the licensing authority of the Department of State, Office 
of Defense Trade Controls (DTC). The Bureau of Industry and Security 
(BIS) has received information suggesting that the existing rule 
commits to DTC authority a number of items that have primarily civil 
end uses. This proposed rule draws a distinction between items subject 
to DTC control and items subject to the Export Administration 
Regulations (EAR) by modifying ECCN 1A004 and creating a new ECCN 
1A995.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02

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
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC64
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)



_______________________________________________________________________




509. 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 final rule will make effective the proposed rule 
published July 21, 1999. The purpose of the regulation is to implement 
the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, 
Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their 
Destruction (Chemical Weapons

[[Page 74383]]

Convention) and the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act of 
1998, requiring private facilities to submit information on certain 
activities involving toxic chemicals, and to make certain private 
facilities subject to periodic inspection by the Organization for the 
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international organization 
created to administer the Convention and to monitor compliance by 
States Parties.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/21/99                    64 FR 39193
Interim Final Rule              12/30/99                    64 FR 73744
Correction                      12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Willard Fisher, Export Administration Specialist, 
Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, 14th & 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AB06
_______________________________________________________________________




510. REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS; ADDITIONS TO 
THE ENTITY LIST

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 744

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) provide that the 
Bureau of Export Administration may inform exporters, individually or 
through amendment to the EAR, that a license is required for exports or 
reexports to certain entities. The EAR contains a list of such 
entities. This rule adds entities to the Entity List, and requires a 
license for all exports and reexports of all items subject to the EAR.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Addition to Entity List         05/16/97                    62 FR 26922
Addition to Entity List         06/30/97                    62 FR 35334
Addition to Entity List         06/30/97                    62 FR 35335
Revision to Entity List         10/01/97                    62 FR 51369
Addition to Entity List - 
Russian Entities                07/29/98                    63 FR 40363
Revisions and Additions to 
Entity List                     05/14/01                    66 FR 24264
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: 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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB60
_______________________________________________________________________




511. EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS OF EXPLOSIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS; EXPANSION OF 
FOREIGN POLICY 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; ; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 3201 et seq; 42 USC 
2139a; EO 12002; EO 12214; EO 12938; EO 13026; EO 13222; ...

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of Export Administration is amending the Export 
Administration Regulations by expanding the current scope of control of 
explosive detection systems controlled by Export Control Classification 
Number (ECCN) 2A993 to include all types of systems that detect the 
presence of explosives or explosive residue. This rule also expands the 
control of these explosive detection systems to Iraq. In addition, this 
rule establishes a new licensing requirement on the export and reexport 
of software designed or modified for the development, production, or 
use of explosive detection systems to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria for 
antiterrorism reasons.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman, Export Policy Analyst, Department of 
Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB87
_______________________________________________________________________




512. EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TO SUDAN

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 700 to 799

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the 
Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to reflect the imposition of 
economic sanctions on Sudan, as a result of the issuance of Executive 
Order 13067 on November 3, 1997. The Executive Order delegates 
implementation responsibility to the Department of the Treasury's 
Office of Foreign Assets Control, including authority for exports and 
certain reexports. In addition, this rule makes editorial revisions to 
the EAR relating to embargoes and antiterrorism controls.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman, Export Policy Analyst, Department of 
Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC05

[[Page 74384]]

_______________________________________________________________________




513. REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE 
MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR)

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; 15 CFR 774; 15 CFR 742

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export 
Administration Regulations (EAR) to amend the Commerce Control List to 
reflect the reformatted Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex 
of October 14, 1999 (Noordwijk/TEM). This final rule also amends 
Country Group A:2, MTCR, to add the Czech Republic, Korea (Republic 
of), Poland, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC22
_______________________________________________________________________




514. REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION 
REGULATIONS (EAR)

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; 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 734; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 
740; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 752; 15 CFR 758; 15 CFR 772; 15 CFR 
774

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations by 
making certain revisions and clarifications and, in some cases, inserts 
material inadvertently omitted from previous rules.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC24
_______________________________________________________________________




515. LICENSE EXCEPTION AVS: CUBA, LIBYA, 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              12/00/02

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 & 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AC33
_______________________________________________________________________




516. CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION: REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION 
REGULATIONS

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 (BIS) administers export 
controls on certain toxic chemicals and precursors that are listed in 
the ``Schedules of Chemicals'' contained within the ``Annex on 
Chemicals'' to the ``Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, 
Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their 
Destruction,'' also known as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). 
This rule amends the CWC provisions in the Export Administration 
Regulations (EAR) to clarify BXA licensing requirements and policies 
for chemicals and precursors controlled for chemical weapons reasons.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/00/02

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 & 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AC35
_______________________________________________________________________




517. EXPORTS TO AFGHANISTAN (THE TALIBAN) AND LIBERIA: IMPOSITION OF 
FOREIGN POLICY CONTROLS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 50 USC app 2401 et seq; 50 USC 1701 et seq; 22 USC 
3201

[[Page 74385]]

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) 
to implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 1333 of 
December 19, 2000, and 1343 of March 7, 2001, which mandated embargoes 
on the sale or supply of arms-related items, including technical 
assistance and training, to the Taliban and to Liberia, respectively. 
These steps taken by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) 
supplement controls implemented by the Department of State on exports 
of defense articles and services to the Taliban and to Liberia under 
the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. BIS already requires a 
license for the export and reexport to Afghanistan and Liberia of most 
of the items subject to the EAR that fall within the scope of the UNSC-
mandated ban on arms-related items (e.g., items controlled for regional 
stability and crime control reasons).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      11/00/02

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
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC45
_______________________________________________________________________




518. ELIMINATION OF ``NATIONAL SECURITY'' AS A REASON FOR CONTROL FOR 
CERTAIN ITEMS ON THE COMMERCE CONTROL LIST

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 18 USC 2510; EO 13222; EO 
12058; ...

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 774

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule amends the Commerce Control List (CCL) to eliminate 
``National Security'' as a reason for control with respect to certain 
items. This rule is needed to make the CCL conform to Section 
5(c)(6)(A) of the Export Administration Act (the Act), which provides 
that unilateral national security controls expire six months after 
enactment of the Act or of the control (whichever is later) unless a 
determination has been made under section 5 of the Act that there is no 
foreign availability of the items or unless the President is pursuing 
negotiations to end such availability. All but four of the items 
affected by this rule are moved to other Export Control Classification 
Numbers (ECCNs) on the CCL. Two of the items that are removed from the 
CCL (bayonets and technology for the design, production or use of 
bayonets) are transferred to the United States Munitions List. The 
other two items (muzzle-loading firearms and technology for the design, 
production or use of muzzle-loading firearms) are now EAR99.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

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
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC54
_______________________________________________________________________




519. IMPOSITION AND EXPANSION OF CONTROLS ON DESIGNATED PERSONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 50 USC 1701; 50 USC 2401; 22 USC 3201; EO 13099; EO 
13222; ...

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 772

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This final rule amends the Export Administration Regulations 
(EAR) by imposing a license requirement on the export and reexport of 
any item subject to the EAR by a U.S. person or non-U.S. person to 
persons blocked and designated pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of 
September 23, 2001. In response to grave acts of terrorism and threats 
of terrorism, Executive Order 13224 blocks the property and interests 
in property of persons who commit, threaten to commit or support 
terrorism, and prohibits U.S. persons or applicable non-U.S. persons 
from engaging in any transactions with such blocked persons. The 
Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 
maintains the list of blocked persons newly designated Specially 
Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) in Appendix A to 31 C.F.R. chapter 
V pursuant to Executive Order 13224 and identified by the bracketed 
initials [SDGT]. This rule also amends the EAR by expanding reexport 
controls on Specially Designated Terrorists (SDTs) and foreign controls 
on Specially Designated Terrorists (SDTs) and Foreign Terrorist 
Organizations (FTOs). OFAC also maintains the lists of SDTs and FTOs 
found in appendix A to 31 C.F.R. chapter V and identified by the 
bracketed initials [SDT] and [FTO], respectively.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

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
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC60
_______________________________________________________________________




520. [bull] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2002 WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT LIST OF 
DUAL-USE ITEMS: REVISIONS TO CATEGORIES 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 AND 9 OF THE 
COMMERCE CONTROL LIST, GENERAL SOFTWARE NOTE, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Priority: Routine and Frequent

Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; EO 13222; EO 13020; 50 USC 1701; 10 USC 
7420; ...

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 743; 15 CFR 772; 15 CFR 774

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) maintains the 
Commerce Control List (CCL), which identifies

[[Page 74386]]

items subject to Department of Commerce export controls. This final 
rule revises certain entries controlled for national security reasons 
in categories 2, 3, 4, 5 part I (telecommunications), 5 part II 
(information security), 6, 7, 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 controls 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 to implement revisions to the Wassenaar List that 
were agreed upon in the February 2002 meeting (and finalized in June 
2002) and to make necessary revisions to reporting requirements, 
definitions, and the General Software Note.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC65
_______________________________________________________________________




521. [bull] REVISION OF EXPORT CONTROLS FOR GENERAL PURPOSE 
MICROPROCESSORS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 50 USC 2401; 50 USC 1701; 22 USC 3201; 42 USC 2139(a); 
EO 13224; ...

CFR Citation: 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) to remove license requirements 
for exports and reexports of general purpose microprocessors to most 
destinations. There will be no change to existing license requirements 
for the export or reexport of general purpose microprocessors to 
terrorist-supporting and embargoed countries, and no change to license 
requirements for exports or reexports of microprocessors specifically 
designed for military uses. In addition, this rule will establish a new 
license requirement for the export or reexport of general purpose 
microprocessors if at the time of the export or reexport you know, have 
reason to know, or are informed that the item will be used in a 
military weapon system or used by a military end-user in Country Group 
D:1.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC66
_______________________________________________________________________




522. [bull] LICENSE APPLICATION DENIAL POLICY, ``RED FLAG'' INDICATORS 
OF POSSIBLE INAPPROPRIATE END-USE, END-USER OR DESTINATION

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

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

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: William Arvin, Department of Commerce, Bureau of 
Industry and Security
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC68

[[Page 74387]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Long-Term Actions


Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)



_______________________________________________________________________




523. TRANSFER OF DUAL-USE ITEMS FROM U.S. MUNITIONS LIST TO THE COMMERCE 
CONTROL LIST

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774 Supplement No. 1

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Transfer of Communications 
Satellites                      10/23/92                    57 FR 48312
Navigation and Avionics         06/23/93                    58 FR 34211
Final Rule - Transfer of 
Commercial Communication 
Satellites                      09/08/93                    58 FR 47322
Transfer of Items From the USMI 
to the CCL; Imposition of 
Certain Foreign Policy Controls 10/26/93                    58 FR 57549
Satellite Fuel                  09/29/97                    62 FR 50865


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Brian Nilsson
Phone: 202 482-4196

RIN: 0694-AA52
_______________________________________________________________________




524. ADMINISTRATION OF STATE LOG EXPORTS BAN

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 754

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           06/07/95                    60 FR 30030
ANPRM Comment Period End        07/07/95
Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: State, Local

Agency Contact: Willard Fisher
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AB25
_______________________________________________________________________




525. CHANGE THE COMMERCE CONTROL LIST TO REVISE CONTROLS ON 
COMMUNICATION INTERCEPTING DEVICES (EXPORT COMMERCE CONTROL NUMBER ECCN 
5A980)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 799

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Brian Nilsson
Phone: 202 482-4196

RIN: 0694-AB41
_______________________________________________________________________




526. CLARIFICATION OF LICENSE EXCEPTION GFT (HUMANITARIAN DONATIONS)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Hillary Hess
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB49
_______________________________________________________________________




527. EXPORTS OF TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE; RELEASE OF TECHNOLOGY OR SOURCE 
CODE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE UNITED STATES

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 799

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB59
_______________________________________________________________________




528. INDIA AND PAKISTAN SANCTIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule - India and 
Pakistan Sanctions and Other 
Measures                        11/19/98                    63 FR 64322
Interim Final Rule - Correction 
to India and Pakistan Sanctions 
and Other Measures              11/27/98                    63 FR 65352
Final Rule                      03/17/00                    65 FR 14444
Final Rule                      07/26/00                    65 FR 45842


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Hillary Hess
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB73
_______________________________________________________________________




529. EXPANSION OF LICENSE EXCEPTION CIV ELIGIBILITY FOR 
``MICROPROCESSORS'' CONTROLLED BY ECCN 3A001

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              07/08/99                    64 FR 36779
Interim Final Rule              11/26/99                    64 FR 66372
Interim Final Rule              06/13/00                    65 FR 37039


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Hillary Hess
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB90
_______________________________________________________________________




530. EXPORT OF TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE THROUGH ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS, 
DOWNLOADS, AND PROGRAMMING ONTO HARDWARE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 700 to 799

[[Page 74388]]

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                            To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB97
_______________________________________________________________________




531. 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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC04
_______________________________________________________________________




532. ANTITERRORISM CONTROLS ON IRAQ

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 700 to 799

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: Sheila Quarterman
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC06
_______________________________________________________________________




533. EXPANSION OF LICENSE EXCEPTION GOV; EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TO 
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC15
_______________________________________________________________________




534. DE MINIMIS EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY: U.S. ORIGIN SOFTWARE 
INCORPORATED INTO FOREIGN-MADE RETAIL COMMODITIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC17
_______________________________________________________________________




535. 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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC23
_______________________________________________________________________




536. SHORT SUPPLY CONTROLS: CRUDE OIL EXPORTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 750; 15 CFR 754

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Willard Fisher
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AC25
_______________________________________________________________________




537. OFFSETS IN MILITARY EXPORTS

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 701

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                             To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Brad Botwin
Phone: 202 482-4060
Fax: 202 482-5650

RIN: 0694-AC27
_______________________________________________________________________




538. ENTITY LIST: ADDITIONS AND REVISIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 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: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC28
_______________________________________________________________________




539. CRIME CONTROL ITEMS: REVISIONS TO THE COMMERCE CONTROL LIST

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 799

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              09/13/00                    65 FR 55177
Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

[[Page 74389]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC31
_______________________________________________________________________




540. REVISIONS TO ENCRYPTION ITEMS

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 799

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      10/19/00                    65 FR 62600


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Brian Nilsson
Phone: 202 482-4196

RIN: 0694-AC32
_______________________________________________________________________




541. CLARIFICATIONS TO PART 753: SPECIAL COMPREHENSIVE LICENSE 
REQUIREMENTS

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

RIN: 0694-AC34
_______________________________________________________________________




542. ADDITION AND REVISION OF MISSILE PROJECTS IN THE EXPORT 
ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC46
_______________________________________________________________________




543. REVISION, SUSPENSION, OR PROHIBITION OF USE OF ``NO LICENSE 
REQUIRED'' PROVISIONS

Priority: Routine and Frequent

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 758

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                     To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC47
_______________________________________________________________________




544. REMOVAL OF LICENSING EXEMPTION FOR EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS OF MISSILE 
TECHNOLOGY-CONTROLLED ITEMS DESTINED TO CANADA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 742

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           12/20/01                    66 FR 65666


Next Action Undetermined

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC48
_______________________________________________________________________




545. EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA: LIFTING OF SANCTIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 746; 15 CFR 758

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC57
_______________________________________________________________________




546. [bull] COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXPORT OR 
REEXPORT UNDER LICENSE EXCEPTION TSR

Priority: Routine and Frequent

Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is reviewing the 
current limit for use of License Exception TSR for exports and 
reexports of technology and software on the Commerce Control List (CCL) 
of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) under Export 
Classification Control Numbers (ECCNs) 4D001 and 4E001. These ECCNs 
control technology and software that can be used for the development, 
production, or use of computers. The goal of this notice is to collect 
information from industry that will assist BIS in evaluating whether 
the current TSR eligibility level of 33,000 Millions of Theoretical 
Operations per Second (MTOPS) for exports and reexports to most 
countries should be adjusted, taking into consideration the control 
level for the export of computer equipment and the control policies of 
other member countries of the Wassenaar Arrangement.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           06/10/02                    67 FR 39675


Next Action Undetermined

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

[[Page 74390]]

Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC63
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Completed Actions


Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)



_______________________________________________________________________




547. REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS; COUNTRY GROUP 
E:1; LICENSE EXCEPTION TMP

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              08/10/01                    66 FR 42108

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AB76
_______________________________________________________________________




548. REVISIONS TO THE NORTH KOREAN EMBARGO POLICY

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 730 to 774

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              06/19/00                    65 FR 38148

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC10
_______________________________________________________________________




549. EXPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, MEDICINES AND MEDICAL DEVICES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 700 to 799

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              07/12/01                    66 FR 36676

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman
Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC37
_______________________________________________________________________




550. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT LIST OF DUAL-USE ITEMS 
REVISIONS: COMPUTERS; AND REVISIONS TO LICENSE EXCEPTION CTP

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 743; 15 CFR 774; 15 CFR 
748

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/08/02                    67 FR 10611

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC42
_______________________________________________________________________




551. LICENSING JURISDICTION FOR ``SPACE QUALIFIED'' ITEMS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 774

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              09/23/02                    67 FR 59721

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC49
_______________________________________________________________________




552. MISSILE TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

Priority: Routine and Frequent

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    09/18/02                    67 FR 58691
Final Action Effective          09/18/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Matthew Blaskovich
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC51
_______________________________________________________________________




553. REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION 
REGULATIONS--NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION CONTROLS: NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 744; 15 CFR 
772; 15 CFR 774

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      08/29/02                    67 FR 55593

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Willard Fisher
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AC52
_______________________________________________________________________




554. CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION 
REGULATIONS: CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, AND POLAND

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 742

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/18/02                    67 FR 11896

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sheila Quarterman

[[Page 74391]]

Phone: 202 482-2440
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC53
_______________________________________________________________________




555. REVISIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AS A RESULT OF 
THE SEPTEMBER 2001 MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR) PLENARY 
MEETING

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/20/02                    67 FR 35428

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC55
_______________________________________________________________________




556. REVISIONS TO LICENSE EXCEPTION CTP: IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENTIAL 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF JANUARY 2, 2002

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 734; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/08/02                    67 FR 10608

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC56
_______________________________________________________________________




557. REVISION TO EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS: DENIED PERSONS LIST

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 752; 15 CFR 758; 15 CFR 
764; ...

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    08/27/02                    67 FR 54592
Final Action Effective          08/27/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: William Arvin
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC58
_______________________________________________________________________




558. LICENSE EXCEPTION CIV ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN ``MICROPROCESSORS'' 
CONTROLLED BY ECCN 3A001

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 774

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      03/21/02                    67 FR 13091

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Sharron Cook
Phone: 202 482-2440
Fax: 202 482-3355
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0694-AC59
_______________________________________________________________________




559. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT LIST OF DUAL-USE ITEMS 
AND OTHER REVISIONS TO ENCRYPTION ITEMS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 732; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 748; 15 CFR 
770; ...

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              06/06/02                    67 FR 38855

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Willard Fisher
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AC61
_______________________________________________________________________




560. REVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION 
REGULATIONS--CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONTROLS: AUSTRALIA GROUP; 
CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 736; 15 CFR 738; 15 CFR 740; 15 CFR 742; 15 CFR 
745; ...

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/31/02                    67 FR 37977

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Willard Fisher
Phone: 202 482-2440

RIN: 0694-AC62
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Completed Actions


National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)



_______________________________________________________________________




561. [bull] ESTABLISHMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECURITY VALIDATION 
PROGRAMS FEES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: PL 104-106 section 5131; PL 100-235; 15 USC 273; 15 
USC 275a; ...

CFR Citation: None

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NIST issued a final rule to adopt a fee schedule for some of 
its Information Technology Security Validation Programs. Prior to the 
notice, NIST did not charge fees for these programs, but demand for the 
services increased 1800 percent since 1996 in some cases, which 
resulted in significantly increased expense to NIST for each program. 
The fees will allow NIST to continue and expand the Information 
Technology Security Validation Programs.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/18/02                    67 FR 41399

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

[[Page 74392]]

Agency Contact: Ray Snouffer, Department of Commerce, National 
Institute of Standards & Technology, Stop 8930, Computer Security 
Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8930
Phone: 301 975-4436
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0693-AB51
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                              Prerule Stage


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



_______________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE


                    ________________________________



562. [bull] FLEET CAPACITY CONTROL FOR U.S. TUNA PURSE SEINE FISHERIES 
IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 951 to 961; 16 USC 971 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule will implement a tuna fishery management 
recommendation of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), 
of which the United States is a party. The rule will establish 
procedures by which the United States will limit tuna purse seine fleet 
capacity consistent with the limits in the IATTC recommendation, which 
has been approved by the Department of State pursuant to the Tuna 
Conventions Act. Fleet capacity is necessary to prevent 
overcapitalization and achieve sustainable tuna fisheries in the 
eastern Pacific Ocean. Excessive fleet capacity threatens the ability 
of the IATTC and its member states to take effective action to control 
overall fishing mortality and maintain healthy stocks that will support 
economically viable fisheries, including U.S. tuna fisheries in the 
region.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           11/00/02
ANPRM Comment Period End        12/00/02
NPRM                            03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AQ21
_______________________________________________________________________




563. [bull] FLEET CAPACITY CONTROL FOR U.S. TROLL ALBACORE TUNA FISHING 
IN CANADIAN WATERS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule will implement limits on albacore tuna fishing by 
vessels of the United States in Canadian waters pursuant to the U.S.-
Canada Albacore Fishing Treaty. In accordance with recent amendments to 
that Treaty, the United States is obliged to ensure that U.S. vessels 
do not fish for more than a set number of days each year 2003-2005. 
This will require methods to monitor fishing effort and notify U.S. 
vessel owners/operators of the date on which further U.S. fishing must 
cease. In turn, U.S. vessel operators/owners will be required to 
furnish reports of entry to and exit from Canadian waters and to 
provide points of contact for notices of closures. In addition, the 
Treaty requires that the United States exchange fishery data each year. 
The rule will require maintenance and submission of logbooks of fish 
catch and fishing effort in Canadian and U.S. waters each year.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           11/00/02
ANPRM Comment Period End        12/00/02
NPRM                            03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AQ22

[[Page 74393]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                        Proposed Rule Stage


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



_______________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE


                    ________________________________



564. AMENDMENT 4 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE REEF FISH 
FISHERY OF PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 4 would restrict the use of gillnets, fish traps, 
and other gear in the reef fish fishery in the Caribbean exclusive 
economic zone. Amendment 4 would address the possible need for 
permitting in the fish trap fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AG87
_______________________________________________________________________




565. ESTABLISH CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR LIMITED ACCESS SYSTEM PERMITS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action will establish a central registry for limited 
access system permits as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act section 305(h).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           05/07/97                    62 FR 24897
ANPRM Comment Period End        08/05/97
NPRM                            01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Charles L. Cooper, Program Leader, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2396
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AJ77
_______________________________________________________________________




566. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO 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, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Regulations would require observer coverage on vessels in the 
at-sea processing sector of the whiting fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Donna Darm, Acting Regional Administrator, Northwest 
Region, NMFS, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, BIN C15700, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 1, 
Seattle, WA 48115-0070
Phone: 206 526-6150

RIN: 0648-AK26
_______________________________________________________________________




567. ADJUSTMENT OF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: BOTTOMFISH FISHERIES IN THE 
HAWAIIAN 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.

Abstract: This regulatory action would establish eligibility criteria 
for new entry into the NWHIs Mau Zone limited access system

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AK82
_______________________________________________________________________




568. REVISE EXEMPTED FISHING REGULATIONS TO SPECIFY COMPENSATORY FISHING 
UNDER EXEMPTED FISHING

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would revise current exempted fishing regulations 
to specifically authorize the use of an exempted fishing permit as the 
method of allowing the compensation of private vessels for their 
conduct of resource assessment. Specific methodology for vessel 
compensation would be developed on a fishery-by-fishery basis. The rule 
would also make other minor changes in the regulations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

[[Page 74394]]

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: 301 713-2334
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AK84
_______________________________________________________________________




569. AMENDMENT 11 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, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 11 to the Western Pacific Remote Crustaceans 
Fishery Management Plan would add the exclusive economic zone waters 
off the U.S. Pacific Island Areas and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands as crustaceans management areas.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AL67
_______________________________________________________________________




570. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO REINSTATE 6000 POUND TRIP LIMIT OF HALIBUT 
IN AREA NORTHEAST OF THE BERING SEA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This regulatory amendment would reinstate a 6000 pound 
halibut trip limit in the halibut management area northeast of the 
Bering Sea.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS, P.O. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AL97
_______________________________________________________________________




571. ENHANCED MEASURES TO MITIGATE SEABIRD BYCATCH IN THE ALASKA 
LONGLINE FISHERIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, One year from approval of overfishing 
definitions. Final regulations to be published within 30 days of end of 
NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This regulatory amendment would enhance measures designed to 
mitigate seabird bycatch in the longline fisheries off Alaska.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AM30
_______________________________________________________________________




572. 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, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 7 would facilitate and enable adjustments to 
management measures for the bottomfish fisheries in Guam and American 
Samoa. Possible regulatory changes include closed areas, gear 
restrictions, seasons, permit and notification/reporting requirements, 
etc.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AM98
_______________________________________________________________________




573. AMENDMENT 18 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, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 18 would address the need for improved

[[Page 74395]]

conservation of grouper stocks in the Gulf of Mexico by establishing 
additional closed seasons and areas.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AN09
_______________________________________________________________________




574. AMENDMENT 13 TO THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS 
FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN

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 end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 13 is being developed to bring the disapproved 
Essential Fish Habitat portions of Amendment 12 into compliance with 
the Sustainable Fisheries Act and revise management of black sea bass.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AN12
_______________________________________________________________________




575. AMENDMENT 10 TO THE ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN

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 end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 10 would implement a management strategy that would 
incorporate rotational closed areas for rebuilding the sea scallop 
resource and address essential fish habitat issues. This action may 
replace or modify the current DAS reduction schedule.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         04/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AN16
_______________________________________________________________________




576. 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: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This action would amend the FMP to address the Magnuson-
Stevens Act requirement to implement a stock rebuilding program for all 
of the regulated multispecies. Management measures may include a days-
at-sea reduction, gear reductions and area management.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         06/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AN17
_______________________________________________________________________




577. AMENDMENT 9 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE 
PELAGIC 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, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This amendment would prevent or mitigate and conserve, 
manage, and allow full utilization of sharks.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03
Final Action                    02/00/03
Final Action Effective          03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AN76
_______________________________________________________________________




578. RESUBMISSION OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ACT AMENDMENT CRUSTACEANS, 
BOTTOMFISH, AND PELAGICS REGARDING OVERFISHING DEFINITIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

[[Page 74396]]

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would bring these FMPs into compliance with the 
Sustainable Fisheries Act regarding previously disapproved overfishing 
definitions and bycatch provisions and fishing community definitions 
(0648-AP54, 0648-AP55).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03
Final Action                    02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

Related RIN: Related To 0648-AP54, Related To 0648-AP55
RIN: 0648-AN79
_______________________________________________________________________




579. REGULATORY AMENDMENT MODIFYING THE GULF OF MEXICO BRD PROTOCOL 
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, 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                            11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AN84
_______________________________________________________________________




580. FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP) FOR SARGASSUM HABITAT OF THE SOUTH 
ATLANTIC

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Sargassum habitat is defined as essential fish habitat for 
several managed fish stocks in the South Atlantic region under the 
provisions of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's fishery 
management plans. To further conserve and manage Sargassum habitat, the 
Council's proposed new FMP would restrict the commercial harvest of 
Sargassum to avoid further expansion of the current limited fishery and 
to reduce the potential for habitat loss.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AN87
_______________________________________________________________________




581. FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR NORTHEAST SKATE

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: This action would establish a fishery management plan for the 
seven species of skates found in the Northeast. Management measures 
would be established to end overfishing on two of the seven species of 
skate and to provide basic protection for the remaining five species.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         04/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AO10
_______________________________________________________________________




582. AMENDMENT 5 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR PRECIOUS CORAL 
FISHERIES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION

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 end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 5 would facilitate and enable adjustments to 
management measures for the precious coral fisheries in the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Possible 
regulatory changes could include inclusion of the EEZ around CNMI, 
within the management area of the FMP, as well as permit and

[[Page 74397]]

reporting requirements for harvesters in this area.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AO47
_______________________________________________________________________




583. FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE DOLPHIN AND WAHOO FISHERY OF THE 
ATLANTIC, CARIBBEAN, AND GULF OF MEXICO (FMP)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of the end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This new FMP, as prepared jointly by the South Atlantic, Gulf 
of Mexico, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, is to provide a 
comprehensive management program for dolphin and wahoo in the Atlantic 
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean exclusive economic zone.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AO63
_______________________________________________________________________




584. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES FISHERIES; ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA 
INCIDENTAL CATCH

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is considering rulemaking on modifications to the target 
catch requirements for the incidental longline fishery for Atlantic 
bluefin tuna (BFT). NMFS requests comments on possible changes to 
Atlantic tuna regulations prior to drafting proposed changes to those 
regulations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           11/17/00                    65 FR 69492
ANPRM Comment Period End        12/14/00
Comment Period Extended         01/16/01
NPRM                            05/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         06/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Chris Rogers, Chief for Highly Migratory Species, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13563, Bldg. SSMC3, Stop F/SF1, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2347
Fax: 301 713-1917

RIN: 0648-AO75
_______________________________________________________________________




585. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; EXEMPTED FISHING PERMITS 
PROCEDURES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS amends procedures for issuing exempted fishing permits 
for fishing activities that are otherwise prohibited, and for 
scientific research permits.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

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: 301 713-2334
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO79
_______________________________________________________________________




586. REGULATORY AMENDMENT UNDER THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR GULF OF 
MEXICO REEF FISH (FMP) TO ESTABLISH A RED SNAPPER STOCK REBUILDING PLAN 
AND TO SET RED SNAPPER OVERFISHING TARGETS AND THRESHOLDS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This regulatory amendment under the FMP's framework procedure 
would establish a revised red snapper stock rebuilding plan and red 
snapper overfishing targets and thresholds, all intended to meet 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act as amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

[[Page 74398]]

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AP02
_______________________________________________________________________




587. AMENDMENT 13 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: NPRM, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 13 will revise permit transfers, revise maximum 
sustainable yield (MSY) and overfishing definitions, revise snowy 
grouper and golden tilefish management measures, and include a formal 
section 7 analysis on the interaction of gear (with an emphasis on 
black sea bass traps) with endangered and threatened species.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AP03
_______________________________________________________________________




588. REVISION OF AMERICAN LOBSTER REGULATIONS FOR THE EEZ

Priority: Other Significant

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 U.S.C. 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 
ANPR/NOI proposes to develop regulations relative to Addendum III to 
the ISFMP, and combine those with Addendum II (ANPR 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                            02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: State, Local

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
_______________________________________________________________________




589. FISHING CAPACITY REDUCTION PROGRAM FOR THE CRAB SPECIES COVERED BY 
THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS KING AND 
TANNER CRABS

Priority: Economically Significant. Major under 5 USC 801.

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1861a; 46 USC 1279f; PL 106-554

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, May 1, 2001, Publish Final 
Regulations.
Other, Statutory, December 31, 2001, Complete Fishing Capacity 
Reduction Program.

Abstract: This action establishes a fishing capacity reduction program 
in the fishery for the crab species covered by the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. The 
crab reduction program makes payments for revoking crab licenses in, 
and withdrawing fishing vessels from, the crab fishery. Reducing the 
number of crab licenses and vessels in the crab fishery increases post-
reduction harvesting productivity, helps conserve and manage the crab 
resources, and fosters the potential for rationalizing crab fishery 
harvesting effort. The regulations add a new section 600.1018 to the 
fishing capacity reduction framework regulations contained in subpart L 
to 50 CFR part 600.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP25

[[Page 74399]]

_______________________________________________________________________




590. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO IMPLEMENT PERMIT STACKING IN THE LIMITED-
ENTRY FIXED-GEAR SABLEFISH FISHERY IN 2002 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 3 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 
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                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

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
_______________________________________________________________________




591. IMPLEMENTATION OF FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HIGHLY MIGRATORY 
SPECIES FISHERIES OFF THE WEST COAST

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would implement the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) 
for Highly Migratory Species Fisheries off the West Coast. The FMP is 
currently under development by the Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) under the terms of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other 
applicable law. The FMP will both establish a process for implementing 
regulations as deemed necessary in the future and provide a basis for 
initial regulation of selected fishery sectors (e.g., drift gillnet and 
longline) to ensure conservation of the fish stocks involved and 
protection of species of special concern such as sea turtles and 
seabirds. The FMP will include substantial environmental and economic 
analyses consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and Executive Order 12296 
and other laws and orders. Steps for reviewing and implementing 
approved elements of the FMP are set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Act 
and include provisions for publication of proposed and final rules 
within certain time periods.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/03
Final Action                    04/00/03
Final Action Effective          05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AP42
_______________________________________________________________________




592. REGULATORY AMENDMENT UNDER THE COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGICS FISHERY 
MANAGEMENT PLAN

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 622

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, 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, this action would establish biomass-based stock 
status criteria such as maximum-sustainable yield (MSY), optimum yield 
(OY), and definitions of overfishing and overfished using default 
control rules as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AP50
_______________________________________________________________________




593. AMENDMENT 2 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE QUEEN CONCH 
RESOURCES OF PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 2 would prohibit possession and harvest of queen 
conch in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the U.S. Caribbean. The 
queen conch resource is overfished and needs to be rebuilt to a healthy 
level consistent with requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/00/03

[[Page 74400]]

NPRM Comment Period End         07/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AP51
_______________________________________________________________________




594. ADJUSTMENT OF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: BOTTOMFISH FISHERIES IN THE 
WESTERN PACIFIC

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, January 2003.

Abstract: This regulatory action would facilitate and enable 
adjustments to management measures for the bottomfish fisheries in the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03
Final Action                    02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AP53
_______________________________________________________________________




595. RESUBMISSION OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ACT AMENDMENT BOTTOMFISH, 
CRUSTACEAN, AND PELAGICS REGARDING BYCATCH PROVISIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would bring these FMPs into compliance with the 
Sustainable Fisheries Act regarding previously disapproved bycatch 
provisions.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AP54
_______________________________________________________________________




596. RESUBMISSION OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ACT AMENDMENT BOTTOMFISH, 
CRUSTACEANS, AND PELAGICS, AND PRECIOUS CORALS REGARDING FISHING 
COMMUNITIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would bring these FMPs into compliance with the 
Sustainable Fisheries Act regarding previously disapproved 
categorization of the State of Hawaii as a fishing community.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AP55
_______________________________________________________________________




597. ATLANTIC SURF CLAM AND OCEAN QUAHOG FISHERIES; AMENDMENT 13

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 40 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of the end of the NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic 
Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries would describe gear impacts on 
essential fish habitat, revise the surf clam overfishing definition, 
establish multi-year quotas, and add/revise other measures.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AP57
_______________________________________________________________________




598. 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

[[Page 74401]]

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                            06/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         07/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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
_______________________________________________________________________




599. IMPLEMENT A VESSEL MONITORING SYSTEM UNDER THE SOUTH PACIFIC TUNA 
ACT

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rulemaking will implement an electronic vessel 
monitoring system under the South Pacific Tuna Act. The system is 
satellite-based with individual U.S. purse seine vessels providing 
automatic location information to the Forum Fisheries Agency located in 
Honiara, Solomon Islands. This rule will require that all U.S. purse 
seine vessels operating within the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Area shall 
participate and shall install and operate a transponder of the type and 
in such a manner as agreed upon by the parties to the ``Treaty on 
Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and 
the Government of the United States of America'' (implemented as the 
South Pacific Tuna Act).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AP61
_______________________________________________________________________




600. REVISE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND 
ALLOCATION REGULATIONS

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.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions, 
Organizations

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS, P.O. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AP67
_______________________________________________________________________




601. 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 action would require full retention of demersal shelf 
rockfish (DSR) in the hook-and-line fisheries in the GOA, Regulatory 
Area 650. If approved, 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 SEO be retained, landed, 
weighed and reported. The amount of DSR that could be sold would be 
limited to an amount no more than 10 percent of other retained catch. 
With respect to DSR in excess of that 10 percent limit, fishermen would 
be allowed to voluntarily surrender the fish to the State of Alaska, 
retain it for personal use, donate it to a State-recognized charity, 
use it for bait, or any combination of the above.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AP73
_______________________________________________________________________




602. ANTARCTIC MARINE LIVING RESOURCES VESSEL MONITORING SYSTEM AND 
CATCH DOCUMENTATION SCHEME

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 2341 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule would lengthen the duration of the permit required 
to enter a Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources (CCAMLR) Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) site from one 
year to five years. The rule would define the CCAMLR fishing season and 
require the use of an automated satellite-linked

[[Page 74402]]

vessel monitoring system (VMS) for U.S. vessels harvesting Antarctic 
marine living resources (AMLR) in the area of the Convention on the 
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (Convention). The 
rule would also require a non-resident consignee to designate a 
resident agent; prohibit the importation of Dissostichus species 
declared as harvested in certain high seas areas outside the Convention 
area; prohibit the import of Dissostichus species issued a Specially 
Validated Dissostichus Catch Document (SVDCD); provide guidance on the 
disposition of AMLR seized by law enforcement personnel; and propose 
regulations to modify requirements for U.S. receivers and importers of 
Dissostichus species harvested in all waters, including those under the 
jurisdiction of CCAMLR. This rule is intended to implement U.S. 
obligations as a member of CCAMLR and to conserve Antarctic and 
Patagonian toothfish by preventing and discouraging unlawful harvest 
and trade in these species.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02
Final Action                    01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Dean Swanson, Chief, International Fisheries Division, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2276
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP74
_______________________________________________________________________




603. AMENDMENT 10 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: None

Abstract: Amendment 10 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery 
Management Plan, would (1) establish a capacity goal for the limited 
entry fishery (LE), provide for LE permit transferability to achieve 
and maintain the capacity, and establish a process for considering new 
LE permits; and (2) establish a maximum sustainable yield (or proxy) 
for market squid that will address the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Management Act requirement that ``Conservation and management measures 
shall prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the 
optimum yield from each fishery in the United States fishing 
industry.''

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AP87
_______________________________________________________________________




604. [bull] IFQ RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CATCHER 
VESSELS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rulemaking will revise the submittal time limit for the 
individual fishing quotas (IFQ) prior notice of landing; will combine 
the IFQ shipment report into the groundfish product transfer report; 
will remove the vessel clearance requirement; will remove authorized 
IFQ ports of landing from Table 14; and will revise the IFQ departure 
report.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AP92
_______________________________________________________________________




605. [bull] AMENDMENT TO FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR REEF FISH RESOURCES 
OF GULF OF MEXICO TO SET 10-YEAR REBUILDING PLAN FOR RED GROUPER

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: In October 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
issued a determination that the Gulf of Mexico red grouper stock is 
overfished and undergoing overfishing. This determination was based on 
the results of a 1999 red grouper stock assessment. Once a stock is 
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. The 
proposed rebuilding plan contains alternatives that would implement a 
10-year rebuilding plan for red grouper including a recreational and 
commercial shallow-water grouper closed season, recreational bag 
limits, movement of the commercial longline gear boundary, and a 
reduction of the shallow-water grouper quota by an amount consistent 
with a 45 percent reduction in commercial red grouper harvest. The 
rebuilding plan also contains alternatives for establishing red grouper 
sustainable fishing parameters (e.g., maximum sustainable yield, 
optimum yield, maximum fishing mortality rate, minimum stock size 
threshold).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

[[Page 74403]]

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AP95
_______________________________________________________________________




606. [bull] 2003 OBSERVER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This regulatory rulemaking would extend through 2007, the 
existing regulations for the Interim North Pacific Groundfish Observer 
Program (Observer Program) (50 CFR 679.50), which otherwise expire 
December 31, 2002. Further, this proposed action would improve 
regulations governing the relationship between NMFS and the observer 
providers and observers through modifications to existing observer and 
observer provider responsibilities, including several new regulations. 
It would also ensure that the administrative procedures NMFS uses in 
dealing with observer providers and observers are compliant with the 
Administrative Procedures Act. This action also would increase the 
ability of NMFS to interact effectively with observers, fishermen, and 
processing plant employees by granting to NMFS the authority to place 
NMFS staff and authorized agents aboard groundfish vessels and at 
shoreside and stationary floating processors that require observer 
coverage.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ05
_______________________________________________________________________




607. [bull] REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO SECTION 679 PERMITS OR PERMIT-
RELATED ISSUES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rulemaking would revise several sections of regulations 
that pertain to permits or permit-related issues by technical edits and 
clarifications to existing requirements, removal of obsolete text, and 
clarification and simplification of text. In addition, this rulemaking 
would combine the registered buyer permit with the Federal processor 
permit when a shoreside processor does both IFQ and groundfish. This 
would be accomplished by adding an endorsement to the Federal processor 
permit.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ07
_______________________________________________________________________




608. [bull] 2003 INITIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SQUID, 
AND BUTTERFISH

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The action proposes initial specifications for the 2003 
fishing year for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Governmental Jurisdictions

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ15
_______________________________________________________________________




609. [bull] PACIFIC COAST GROUNDFISH FISHERY; ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2003 
GROUNDFISH FISHERY SPECIFICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES

Priority: Economically Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rulemaking will implement the 2003 annual specifications 
and management measures for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03
Final Action                    02/00/03

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-AQ18

[[Page 74404]]

_______________________________________________________________________




610. [bull] REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO ADJUST PERMIT RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS 
AND TRANSFERABILITY RESTRICTIONS IN NWHIS HOOMALU ZONE AND MAU LIMITED 
ACCESS PROGRAMS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, February 2003, Final Rule - adjust 
permit renewal requirements/transferability restrictions in NWHI 
Hoomalu Zone and Mau Limited Access Programs.

Abstract: This measure would remove the annual landings requirement for 
permit renewal retroactive to December 4, 2000, which is the date the 
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Reserve (NWHI) was established and when 
restrictions on fishing in the NWHI became uncertain.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03
Final Action                    02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AQ20
_______________________________________________________________________




611. [bull] SECRETARIAL AMENDMENT 2 TO REEF FISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN 
TO SET GREATER AMBERJACK SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ACT TARGETS AND 
THRESHOLDS AND TO SET REBUILDING PLAN

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, December 2002.
Final, Statutory, January 2003.

Abstract: The greater amberjack resource in the Gulf of Mexico was 
declared overfished by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on 
February 9, 2001. This determination was based on the 2000 greater 
amberjack stock assessment conducted by the NMFS Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center (SEFSC) (Turner et al. 2000) and the December 2000 
Report of the Reef Fish Stock Assessment Panel (RFSAP) (GMFMC 2000). 
The results of several analyses indicated that the stock biomass was 
below the level needed to sustain harvest at maximum sustainable yield 
(MSY), with the best estimate indicating that the stock biomass was at 
less than half the biomass needed to sustain MSY, below the minimum 
level allowed under the 1998 NMFS National Standard Guidelines.
Currently, the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) requires that 
overfished stocks be restored to a level of 20 percent transitional 
spawning potential ratio (SPR) within one and a half generation times. 
A generation time is the average time it would take a year class in an 
unfished population to replace itself. However, in order to comply with 
the requirements of the NMFS National Standard Guidelines (NSG), new 
biomass based targets and recovery time frame parameters need to be 
implemented. The greater amberjack resource is not considered by NMFS 
to be undergoing overfishing at this time due to Council actions taken 
in 1997 and 1998 as cited in section 3.0 (1998 is the final year of 
data in the stock assessment). Consequently, actions to further reduce 
fishing mortality are not needed at this time.
This secretarial amendment proposes no changes to the current fishing 
regulations for greater amberjack, but does propose to establish new 
biomass based targets and thresholds as well as the establishment of a 
ten-year rebuilding plan. These measures would be in compliance with 
the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act, Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA), NMFS NSGs, and NMFS 
technical guidance on implementing National Standard 1 (Restrepo et al. 
1998).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AQ24
_______________________________________________________________________




612. [bull] 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                            12/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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
_______________________________________________________________________




613. [bull] ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ATLANTIC BLUEFISH FISHERY FOR 
FISHING YEAR 2003

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 2003.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

[[Page 74405]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ26
_______________________________________________________________________




614. [bull] AMENDMENT 1 TO THE ATLANTIC HERRING FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN 
(FMP) AND AMENDMENT 2 TO THE ATLANTIC SALMON FMP

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: These amendments would address essential fish habitat 
conservation measures.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         04/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ27
_______________________________________________________________________




615. [bull] FRAMEWORK 15 TO THE ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY MANAGEMENT 
PLAN

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This framework action would implement management measures for 
fishing year 2003-2004 in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ28
_______________________________________________________________________




616. [bull] FRAMEWORK 2 TO THE MONKFISH 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 amend the overfishing criteria in the 
Monkfish Fishery Management Plan and establish measures for fishing 
year 2003-2004.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ29
_______________________________________________________________________




617. [bull] ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FISHING YEAR 2003 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 2003.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ30
_______________________________________________________________________




618. [bull] ANNUAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SURF CLAM AND OCEAN QUAHOG 
FISHERIES FOR FISHING YEAR 2003

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 2003.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ31
_______________________________________________________________________




619. [bull] RECREATIONAL MEASURES FOR THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND 
BLACK SEA BASS FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2003

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would implement recreational measures for the 
2003

[[Page 74406]]

fishing year for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ32
_______________________________________________________________________




620. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ATLANTIC HERRING FISHERY FOR FISHERY 
YEAR 2003

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 2003 
fishing year for the Atlantic herring fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ33
_______________________________________________________________________




621. [bull] SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 2003-2004 FISHING YEAR FOR THE SPINY 
DOGFISH 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 2003-2004 
fishing year for the spiny dogfish fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ34
_______________________________________________________________________




622. [bull] FRAMEWORK 37 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 action would establish year-4 measures for the 
whiting fishery.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ35
_______________________________________________________________________




623. [bull] 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 proposed rule is to comply with the 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                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Chris Rogers, Chief for Highly Migratory Species, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13563, Bldg. SSMC3, Stop F/SF1, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2347
Fax: 301 713-1917

RIN: 0648-AQ37
_______________________________________________________________________




624. [bull] ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); 2003 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: NMFS proposes specifications for the Atlantic bluefin tuna 
(BFT) fishery to set BFT quotas and General category effort controls 
for the 2003 fishing year. This action will implement the U.S. annual 
BFT quota

[[Page 74407]]

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                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Chris Rogers, Chief for Highly Migratory Species, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13563, Bldg. SSMC3, Stop F/SF1, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2347
Fax: 301 713-1917

RIN: 0648-AQ38
_______________________________________________________________________




625. [bull] ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); SMALL COASTAL SHARK 
COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT 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: The rule would address small coastal shark commercial and 
recreational management measures based on a new stock assessment.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Chris Rogers, Chief for Highly Migratory Species, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13563, Bldg. SSMC3, Stop F/SF1, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2347
Fax: 301 713-1917

RIN: 0648-AQ39
_______________________________________________________________________




626. [bull] ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); LARGE COASTAL SHARK 
COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT 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: The rule would address large coastal shark commercial and 
recreational management measures based on a new stock assessment.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Chris Rogers, Chief for Highly Migratory Species, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13563, Bldg. SSMC3, Stop F/SF1, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2347
Fax: 301 713-1917

RIN: 0648-AQ40
_______________________________________________________________________




627. [bull] TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING 
OPERATIONS; ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN REGULATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is amending the regulations that implement the Atlantic 
Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, specifically with regard to the 
straight set of gillnets in the southeast U.S. Restricted Area in 
waters off the coasts of Georgia and Florida. The intent of this 
proposed rule is to prohibit straight sets of gillnets at night from 
November 15 through March 31, annually to reduce the risk of 
entanglement of large whales, including the western North Atlantic 
right whale.
This rule was published on March 27, 2002, in the Federal Register 
under RIN 0648-AN88.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

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: [email protected]

Related RIN: Related To 0648-AN88
RIN: 0648-AQ42
_______________________________________________________________________




628. [bull] EFH AMENDMENTS TO THE BOTTOMFISH, CRUSTACEANS, AND PRECIOUS 
CORALS FMPS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, February 2003, Proposed rule to 
implement FMP amendments.
Final, Statutory, May 2003, Final rule to implement FMP amendments.

Abstract: Amendment 8, to the Bottomfish FMP, Amendment 12 to the 
Crustaceans FMP, and Amendment 6 to the Precious Corals FMP would 
revise the EFH portions of the subject FMPs and include the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Pacific Remote 
Island Areas exclusive economic zones under Western Pacific Fishery 
Management Council developed management plans.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         04/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

[[Page 74408]]

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AQ43
_______________________________________________________________________




629. [bull] INCREASE IN ALLOWABLE PERCENTAGE OF POLLOCK ROE

Priority: Routine and Frequent

Legal Authority: 16 USC 773 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 3631 et 
seq; PL 106-31; PL 105-277

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This regulatory amendment would increase from 7 to 9 percent 
the percentage of pollock roe that may be retained by operators of 
catcher/processors and motherships processing pollock harvested in the 
BSAI. This action is necessary because catcher/processors and 
motherships have been able to increase their pollock roe recovery rate 
since the passage of the American Fisheries Act through cooperative 
fishing practices and more precise timing of fishing activity.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         04/00/03

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ44
_______________________________________________________________________




630. [bull] OPENING WATERS TO PACIFIC COD POT FISHING OFF CAPE BARNABAS 
AND CATON ISLAND IN THE GULF OF ALASKA

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would remove restriction on directed fishing for 
Pacific cod by federally permitted vessels using pot gear in waters 
within 3 nm of Cape Barnabas and Caton Island Steller sea lion haulouts 
in the Gulf of Alaska. This action is necessary to provide consistency 
between State of Alaska and Federal fishing regulations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/03

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ45
_______________________________________________________________________




631. [bull] SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT OF CLOSURE AREAS TO POLLOCK AND PACIFIC 
COD TRAWL FISHING IN WATERS OFF CAPE SARICHEF IN THE BERING SEA SUBAREA

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action will seasonally close a portion of waters located 
near Cape Sarichef in the Bering Sea subarea to vessels using trawl 
gear for directed fishing for pollock and Pacific cod. This action is 
necessary to support NMFS-sponsored research on the effect of fishing 
on localized abundance of Pacific cod and support a comprehensive 
program of Steller sea lion protection measures research.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         03/00/03

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ46
_______________________________________________________________________




632. AMEND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE TAKING AND IMPORTING OF MARINE 
MAMMALS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1371(a)(6)

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action implements certain changes in the prohibitions on 
importing or exporting marine mammals or marine mammal parts and 
products that occurred with the enactment of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act Amendments of 1994 (Pub. L. 104-238). This action 
prohibits the export of marine mammals or marine mammal products for 
purposes other than public display, scientific research, or enhancing 
the survival of a species or stock and establishes three new categories 
of exceptions to the prohibition on importing marine mammal parts and 
products. This is a noncontroversial action that is not significant as 
it will have only minor effects on a small number of people, most of 
whom will benefit by the new exceptions.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         09/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Gene Nitta, 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-AH83
_______________________________________________________________________




633. PREVENTING HARASSMENT FROM HUMAN ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT MARINE 
MAMMALS IN THE WILD

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

[[Page 74409]]

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule would prohibit the public from swimming with or 
otherwise interacting with dolphins and other marine mammals in the 
wild.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           01/30/02                     67 FR 4379
ANPRM Comment Period End        04/01/02
NPRM                            06/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         08/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Trevor Spradlin, Marine Mammal Biologist, Office of 
Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910
Phone: 301 713-2289
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AN43
_______________________________________________________________________




634. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES: PERMIT EXEMPTIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is 
undetermined.

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

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 is providing exceptions to prohibitions to allow Federal 
and State employees to perform conservation activities.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO37
_______________________________________________________________________




635. CAPTIVE STELLER SEA LIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531-1543; 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule is to provide exception to captive Steller sea 
lions (those captured before listing) to assist the public display 
community in commerce involving these animals.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         07/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Jennifer Lyn Skidmore, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Room 13710, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2289
Fax: 301 713-0376
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO61
_______________________________________________________________________




636. TAKING MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO ROCKET LAUNCHES FROM THE KODIAK 
LAUNCH COMPLEX, KODIAK ISLAND, ALASKA

Priority: Other Significant

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                            06/00/03

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP62
_______________________________________________________________________




637. [bull] DESIGNATING THE EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC SOUTHERN RESIDENT 
STOCK OF KILLER WHALES AS DEPLETED

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1383b

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS anticipates promulgating regulations to designate the 
Eastern North Pacific, Southern Resident stock of killer whales as 
depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           06/28/02                    67 FR 43586
ANPRM Comment Period End        08/30/02
NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Thomas C. Eagle, Fishery Biologist, Department of

[[Page 74410]]

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AQ00
_______________________________________________________________________




638. [bull] TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING 
OPERATIONS; ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN REGULATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This proposed regulatory action is related to RIN 0648-AN88, 
a final rule which amended the regulations that implement the Atlantic 
Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and established a Dynamic Area 
Management (DAM) program. This proposed regulatory action involves the 
identification of acceptable fishing practices and gear which could be 
used under the DAM program.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Mary A. Colligan, Assistant Regional Admisistrator, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS/Protected Resources, Protected Resources Division, 
One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: 978 281-9116
Fax: 978 281-9394

Related RIN: Related To 0648-AN88
RIN: 0648-AQ04



_______________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE/OFFICE OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT


                    ________________________________



639. 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

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02

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
_______________________________________________________________________




640. [bull] 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                            01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AQ41
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



_______________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE


                    ________________________________



641. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO ALLOCATE PACIFIC HALIBUT TO THE CHARTER 
BOAT FLEET

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 773c

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This action establishes measures to manage the halibut 
charter boat industry off Alaska.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/28/02                     67 FR 3867
NPRM Comment Period End         02/27/02
Final Action                    12/00/02

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AK17

[[Page 74411]]

_______________________________________________________________________




642. 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 proposes to revise 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
Final Action                    11/00/02

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: 301 713-2334
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AK40
_______________________________________________________________________




643. 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, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: NMFS proposes regulations to implement those provisions of 
the Comprehensive Amendment Addressing Sustainable Fishery Act (SFA) 
Definitions and other Required Provision of the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 
the FMP of the U.S. Caribbean (Comprehensive SFA Amendment) that would 
modify and/or add framework procedures to the FMPs for reef fish, 
corals and reef associated plants and invertebrates, queen conch, and 
spiny lobster. These FMP framework modifications/additions would allow 
timely modification/addition of required stock parameters and 
management measures related to preventing overfishing and rebuilding 
overfished stocks. The intended effect is to provide a more efficient 
mechanism for implementation of improved estimates of stock parameters 
and necessary management measures as better information becomes 
available.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      05/01/02                    67 FR 21598
Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Additional Information: Under 16 USC 1853 note, each Regional Fishery 
Management Council must submit to NMFS amendments to its fishery 
management plans and any associated proposed regulations bringing them 
into compliance with the Sustainable Fisheries Act (P.L. 104-297). 
Final regulations to be published within 30 days of NPRM comment 
period.

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AL86
_______________________________________________________________________




644. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE 
NORTH PACIFIC OBSERVER PROGRAM

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This would change the regulations implementing the North 
Pacific Observer program, including authority to place NMFS personnel 
onboard fish or processing vessels, revised requirements for shoreside 
accommodations for observers, and revisions to observer coverage 
levels.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/02/02                    67 FR 15517
NPRM Comment Period End         05/01/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AM44
_______________________________________________________________________




645. FRAMEWORK REGULATORY AMENDMENT FOR THE ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY 
SPECIES (HMS); FISHING VESSEL PERMITS; CHARTER BOAT OPERATIONS

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 framework regulatory amendment to the HMS FMP will 
adjust gear/permitting/reporting requirements.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/26/02                    67 FR 20716
NPRM Comment Period End         05/23/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Additional Information: Correction to comment period end date, changing 
from 05/28/02 to 05/23/02, was published in the Federal Register 05/02/
02, 67 FR 22165.

Agency Contact: Chris Rogers, Chief for Highly Migratory Species,

[[Page 74412]]

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13563, Bldg. SSMC3, Stop F/SF1, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2347
Fax: 301 713-1917

RIN: 0648-AM91
_______________________________________________________________________




646. IMPLEMENTATION OF WESTERN PACIFIC CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM FISHERY 
MANAGEMENT PLAN (FMP)

Priority: Other Significant

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 end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This action would implement the Western Pacific Coral Reef 
Ecosystem FMP. Possible initial management measures include permit and 
reporting requirements, framework procedures, gear restrictions, 
harvest limits/restrictions, marine protected areas, no anchoring 
zones, etc.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/24/02                    67 FR 59824
NPRM Comment Period End         10/24/02
Final Action                    02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AM97
_______________________________________________________________________




647. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES FISHERIES; MONITORING OF THE 
ATLANTIC BILLFISH AND SWORDFISH RECREATIONAL FISHERIES

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 971 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic 
Tuna recommended that the United States limit annual recreational 
landings of Atlantic blue marlin and white marlin to 250 marlin, 
combined, for 2001 and 2002. NMFS may consider an adjustment of the 
minimum size, as well as management measure to enhance reporting of 
non-tournament landings to comply with the ICCAT framework provisions 
of Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Billfish Fishery Management Plan.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           08/09/00                    65 FR 48671
ANPRM Comment Period End        09/25/00
NPRM                            12/26/01                    66 FR 66386
NPRM Comment Period End         02/25/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Chris Rogers, Chief for Highly Migratory Species, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Room 13563, Bldg. SSMC3, Stop F/SF1, Office of 
Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2347
Fax: 301 713-1917

RIN: 0648-AN06
_______________________________________________________________________




648. AMENDMENT 7 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE STONE CRAB 
FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 654

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: Amendment 7 would adopt the relevant provisions of Florida's 
approved limited entry trap reduction program for the stone crab 
fishery and apply them to vessels fishing in the exclusive economic 
zone off Florida's west coast.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          04/18/02                    67 FR 19155
NPRM                            06/25/02                    67 FR 42744
NPRM Comment Period End         08/09/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers, Acting 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: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AN10
_______________________________________________________________________




649. AMENDMENTS 61/61 FOR BSAI AND GOA GROUNDFISH; AMENDMENT 13 FOR 
COMMERCIAL KING AND TANNER CRAB; AND AMENDMENT 8 FOR ALASKA SCALLOP 
FISHERY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: Other, Statutory, American Fisheries Act requires 
regulatory implementation prior to January 2000.

Abstract: This rule would implement: (1) permitting requirements for 
AFA pollock catcher vessels, catcher vessel cooperatives, c/p 
motherships, and shoreside processors; (2) new pollock allocation 
regime for allocations to catcher vessel cooperatives; (3) new 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements for vessels and processors; 
(4) new restrictions on participation of AFA pollock vessels in non-
pollock fisheries; and (5) restrictions on ability of AFA pollock 
processors to process non-pollock groundfish and crab species from the 
Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          11/17/01                    66 FR 59225
NPRM                            12/17/01                    66 FR 65028
Comment Period End              01/28/02
NPRM Comment Period End         01/31/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

[[Page 74413]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS, P.O. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AN55
_______________________________________________________________________




650. DEEP-SEA RED CRAB FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN

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 end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This action would establish a fishery management plan for the 
red crab fishery to protect the stock.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/20/02                    67 FR 41936
NPRM Comment Period End         07/23/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AN68
_______________________________________________________________________




651. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; SWORDFISH QUOTAS AND FISHING 
AREAS

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 rulemaking would implement several recommendations 
adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in November 2000. These recommendations include 
a ban on the importation of bigeye tuna from non-members Belize, 
Honduras, Cambodia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and ICCAT 
member Equatorial Guinea, the development of statistical document 
programs for swordfish and bigeye tuna to monitor harvests and assist 
in the collection of trade data, the establishment of a 400 metric ton 
conservation reserve for North Atlantic swordfish and the establishment 
of a 2001 catch limit for South Atlantic swordfish, consistent with 
catch limits in recent years. This rule would also clarify authorized 
fishing areas for highly migratory species in the Atlantic Ocean.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/15/01                    66 FR 57409
NPRM Comment Period End         12/31/01
Final Action                    11/00/02

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: 301 713-2334
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO93
_______________________________________________________________________




652. AMERICAN LOBSTER FISHERY; REVISIONS TO LOBSTER TRAP LIMITS, 
CONSERVATION EQUIVALENCY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WATERS, AND CLARIFICATION OF 
LOBSTER MANAGEMENT BOUNDARIES PER ADDENDUM 1

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 
Federal permit holders associated with Amendment 3 of the Interstate 
Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster (ISFMP). Addendum I to 
Amendment 3 of the ISFMP, approved by the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) on August 3, 1999, provides for the 
control of fishing effort as determined by historical participation in 
the American lobster trap fisheries in offshore waters of the Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) and areas of the EEZ closer to shore between New 
York and North Carolina. The addendum also clarifies lobster management 
area boundaries in Massachusetts waters. In addition, the ISFMP calls 
for the implementation of conservation equivalent trap limits in New 
Hampshire waters.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            01/03/02                      67 FR 282
NPRM Comment Period End         02/19/02
Comment Period Extended         02/19/02                     67 FR 4697
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

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-AP15
_______________________________________________________________________




653. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO ALLOW EXPERIMENTAL SETNET SABLEFISH 
LANDINGS TO QUALIFY LIMITED-ENTRY SABLEFISH ENDORSEMENT HOLDERS FOR TIER 
ASSIGNMENT IN THE WEST COAST PRIMARY SABLEFISH FISHERY

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 proposed rule.

Abstract: This regulation would alter sablefish tier qualification 
requirements at 50 CFR 660 to include sablefish landings made in the 
1984-1986 setnet sablefish fishery. This is a minor

[[Page 74414]]

regulation intended to allow sablefish endorsement holders to qualify 
for sablefish tier assignment based on both fixed-gear sablefish 
landings and on experimental setnet sablefish landings, and will not 
change the effect of the fishery on the sablefish resource nor change 
the overall sablefish harvest level.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/24/02                    67 FR 42525
NPRM Comment Period End         07/24/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

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-AP39
_______________________________________________________________________




654. AMENDMENT 5 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SHRIMP FISHERY 
OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This rule would implement Amendment 5 to the Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region. This rule would: (1) establish a license limitation program for 
the rock shrimp fishery prosecuted south of the South Carolina-Georgia 
border in the South Atlantic Region that (a) have held a valid rock 
shrimp permit prior to December 31, 2000 and (b) can demonstrate 
landings of at least 15,000 pounds in any one year from 1996 to 2000; 
(2) require captains operating permitted vessels fishing for rock 
shrimp in the South Atlantic EEZ to have a vessel operator's permit 
issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service to participate in the 
fishery; (3) require the minimum allowable mesh size for a trawl used 
to fish in the South Atlantic EEZ for rock shrimp be 1 and 7/8 inch 
stretched mesh; and (4) require any vessel fishing for rock shrimp in 
the South Atlantic Council's EEZ to use an approved vessel monitoring 
system that would not exceed $1,200 in cost for equipment and 
installation. Annual communication costs would not exceed $800.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          07/25/02                    67 FR 48603
NPRM                            09/04/02                    67 FR 56516
NPRM Comment Period End         10/21/02
Final Action                    01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Peter J. Eldridge, Fishery Management Specialist, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Phone: 727 570-5305
Fax: 727 570-3583
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP41
_______________________________________________________________________




655. 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 2002.
The Coastal Pelagics Fisheries regulations require that the annual 
specifications for Pacific mackerel be published in the Federal 
Register before July 1, the start of the season.

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                            07/11/02                    67 FR 45952
NPRM Comment Period End         07/26/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AP43
_______________________________________________________________________




656. AMENDMENT TO REGULATIONS FOR OBSERVER AT-SEA ELECTRONIC 
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS AND SHORESIDE 
PROCESSORS IN THE NORTH PACIFIC GROUNDFISH FISHERIES

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This rulemaking would refine requirements for the 
facilitation of observer data transmission and improve support for 
observers. The rulemaking is intended to assure continued collection of 
high-quality observer data to support the management objectives of the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Area and the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/25/02                    67 FR 48604
NPRM Comment Period End         08/26/02
Final Rule                      12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

[[Page 74415]]

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS, P.O. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AP66
_______________________________________________________________________




657. AMENDMENT 69 TO THE BSAI FMP -- AFA COOP LEASING

Priority: Routine and Frequent

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 773 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final regulations to be published 
within 30 days of end of NPRM comment period.

Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Area (BSAI) 
(Amendment 69) to allow American Fisheries Act (AFA) inshore pollock 
cooperatives to contract with inshore catcher vessel members of other 
cooperatives for the purpose of harvesting the cooperative's BSAI 
pollock allocation.
This rulemaking would alter the AFA inshore cooperative structure. The 
change would allow one inshore cooperative to contract with members of 
another inshore cooperative to harvest a portion of the first 
cooperative's BSAI pollock allocation. This is currently not allowed, 
since only members of a given cooperative are allowed to harvest any 
portion of that cooperative's allocation. Cooperatives are concerned 
that they might not be able to achieve a full harvest of their pollock 
allocation under some conditions in any given year. This amendment 
would result in a structure that would better ensure that cooperatives 
are able to harvest all of their allocation.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          07/05/02                    67 FR 47794
NRPM                            08/23/02                    67 FR 54610
Notice Comment Period End       09/03/02
NPRM Comment Period End         10/07/02
Final Action                    02/00/03

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AP71
_______________________________________________________________________




658. PROTECT NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES GROUNDFISH STOCKS

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service implemented interim 
measures intended to reduce overfishing on species managed under the 
Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The interim rules 
implemented restrictions specified in the Settlement Agreement Among 
Certain Parties which was ordered to be implemented by the U.S. 
District Court for the District of Columbia.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              04/29/02                    67 FR 21140
Interim Final Rule Effective    05/01/02
Interim Final Rule              05/06/02                    67 FR 30331
Interim Final Rule              06/05/02                    67 FR 38608
NPRM                            07/01/02                    67 FR 44139
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      07/05/02
NPRM Comment Period End         07/16/02
Interim Final Rule              08/01/02                    67 FR 50292
Final Action                    02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AP78
_______________________________________________________________________




659. AMENDMENT 60 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GROUNDFISH 
FISHERY 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 Amendment is intended to protect the depressed king and 
Tanner crab stocks in Cook Inlet by minimizing bycatch and the 
mortality of such bycatch. Prohibiting non-pelagic trawl operations 
will protect this habitat and promote the rebuilding of the crab 
resources in the Cook Inlet portion of the GOA.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          05/14/02                    67 FR 34424
NPRM                            06/13/02                    67 FR 40680
NPRM Comment Period End         07/29/02
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS, P.O. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AP79
_______________________________________________________________________




660. PACIFIC TUNA FISHERIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 955

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action would announce harvest limits and associated 
fishery management measures to carry out recommendations of the IATTC 
that have been approved by the U.S. Department of State. The United 
States is a member of the IATTC, and NMFS (on behalf of the Secretary 
of Commerce) implements management recommendations pursuant to the Tuna 
Conventions Act of 1950. Procedures for announcing harvest quotas and 
associated management measures are

[[Page 74416]]

set forth at 50 CFR part 300 subpart C.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AP86
_______________________________________________________________________




661. 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, 2003, The CPS fisheries 
regulations require that the annual specs for Pacific sardine be 
published in the Federal Register before January 1, the start of the 
fishing year.

Abstract: This rule will announce the annual harvest guidelines for 
Pacific sardine in the exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast. 
The catch sharing plan (CSP) FMP and its implementing regulations 
require NMFS to establish an annual harvest guideline for Pacific 
sardine based on a formula in the Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This 
harvest guideline has been calculated according to the regulations 
implementing the Coastal Pelagic Species FMP and establishes allowable 
harvest levels for Pacific sardine off the Pacific coast.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AP88
_______________________________________________________________________




662. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); REGULATORY ADJUSTMENTS; 
NOAA INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 971 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule corrects the cross-references in several parts to 
regulations that have since been removed, and it updates the table in 
15 CFR 902.1(b) to add new OMB approvals and to correct control number 
references to the appropriate CFR part or section.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

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 13350, Silver Spring, MD
Phone: 301 713-2334

RIN: 0648-AP89
_______________________________________________________________________




663. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES (HMS); 2002 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: NMFS proposes specifications for the Atlantic bluefin tuna 
(BFT) fishery to set BFT quotas and general category effort controls 
for the 2002 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                            06/27/02                    67 FR 43266
NPRM Comment Period End         07/24/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

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 13350, Silver Spring, MD
Phone: 301 713-2334

RIN: 0648-AP90
_______________________________________________________________________




664. [bull] EXTENSION OF AN EMERGENCY INTERIM RULE TO IMPLEMENT 2002 
STELLER SEA LION PROTECTION MEASURES AND HARVEST SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 
BERING SEA/ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA AND THE GULF OF ALASKA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 773 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq; 16 USC 3631 et 
seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: Other, Statutory, July 8, 2002, Extension of emergency 
interim rule.

Abstract: The extension of an emergency interim rule continues to 
implement Steller sea lion protection measures to avoid the likelihood 
that the groundfish fisheries off Alaska will jeopardize the continued 
existence of the western population of Steller sea lions or adversely 
modify their critical habitat. This action also extends final 2002 
harvest specifications and associated management measures for the 
groundfish fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area and the Gulf of Alaska through December 31, 2002.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              05/16/02                    67 FR 34860
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

[[Page 74417]]

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS, P.O. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

Related RIN: Related To 0648-AP69
RIN: 0648-AQ02
_______________________________________________________________________




665. [bull] FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA -- 
REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO IMPLEMENT STELLER SEA LION PROTECT MEASURES

Priority: Economically Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This regulatory amendment would implement Steller sea lion 
protection measures to avoid the likelihood that the groundfish 
fisheries off Alaska will jeopardize the continued existence of the 
western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions or adversely 
modify its critical habitat.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/04/02                    67 FR 56692
NPRM Comment Period End         10/04/02
Final Action Effective          01/00/03

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ08
_______________________________________________________________________




666. [bull] SUBSISTENCE FISHERY FOR PACIFIC HALIBUT IN WATERS OFF ALASKA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 773-773k

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300; 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS proposes regulations to authorize a subsistence fishery 
for Pacific halibut in waters off Alaska. These regulations are 
necessary to allow qualified persons to practice the long-term 
customary and traditional harvest of Pacific halibut for food in a 
noncommercial manner. This action is intended to meet the conservation 
and management requirements of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 
(Halibut Act) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/26/02                    67 FR 54767
NPRM Comment Period End         09/25/02
Final Action                    11/00/02

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ09
_______________________________________________________________________




667. [bull] IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW DEPTH-BASED MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN THE 
PACIFIC COAST GROUNDFISH FISHERY

Priority: Economically Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This emergency rulemaking would allow additional depth-based 
management measures to be incorporated into the suite of routine 
management measures that can be used by the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council and NMFS in the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery. The emergency 
rule published on 9/13/02 published under RIN 0648-AP85.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule Effective    09/10/02
Interim Final Rule              09/13/02                    67 FR 57973
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      10/15/02
Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Additional Information: The Emergency Rule published on 9/13/02 was 
published with an incorrect RIN: 0648-AP85.

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-AQ14
_______________________________________________________________________




668. [bull] CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND PROCEDURES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 46 USC 1177

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 259

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: Simplifies and clarifies program regulations and eases 
restrictions on reconstructions to promote fleet safety, reliability, 
and efficiency.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Charles L. Cooper, Program Leader, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-2396
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AQ16

[[Page 74418]]

_______________________________________________________________________




669. [bull] 2003-2004 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 2003.

Abstract: The annual management measures for the 2003-2004 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                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: 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-AQ17
_______________________________________________________________________




670. [bull] EMERGENCY RULE -- GROUNDFISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR 
JANUARY THROUGH FEBRUARY 2003

Priority: Economically Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, January 1, 2003, Emergency Rule 
January-February management measures.

Abstract: This emergency rulemaking would implement the January through 
February 2003 management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. 
exclusive economic zone and State waters off the coasts of Washington, 
Oregon, and California. These management measures are intended to allow 
achievement of harvest guidelines and limited entry and open access 
allocations to the extent practicable.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    12/00/02

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-AQ19
_______________________________________________________________________




671. [bull] EMERGENCY ACTION TO EXPEDITE REALLOCATION OF SARDINE IN THE 
WEST COAST COASTAL PELAGIC SPECIES FISHERY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This emergency rule would expedite the reallocation of 
Pacific sardine along the West Coast to minimize economic harm to 
fishermen and processors in communities of Washington, Oregon and 
northern California. The Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management 
Plan provides that an annual harvest guideline for Pacific sardine be 
announced in January each year, with an initial allocation of one-third 
of the harvest guideline to the northern area and two-thirds of the 
allocation to the southern area. After nine months, the Southwest 
Regional Administrator, NMFS, determines the catches to date and, if 
the harvest guideline has not been reached, allocates the remaining 
portion of the harvest guideline equally between the northern and 
southern areas.
The sardine industry in the northern area has grown rapidly the past 
two years. This year the northern allocation was taken before the end 
of the 9-month period; therefore, the northern fishery was closed 
effective September 13, 2002. There is substantial unharvested sardine 
left in the total harvest guideline. Consequently, the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council requested that NMFS take emergency action to 
minimize the effects of this closure. The closure of the northern 
fishery is viewed as resulting in an unnecessary loss of revenue and 
jobs. Sardine would normally become available again to the northern 
fishery with the reallocation on October 1, 2002. The reallocation is 
expected to result in increased catches, landed value, fishing and 
processing income, and associated community activity. It is further 
noted that this is not likely to adversely affect southern fishermen 
and processors because they would continue to have fish available for 
the rest of the year. NMFS does not expect this emergency rule to cause 
any biological problems because the harvest guideline would still 
control total catch.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Svein Fougner, 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-AQ47
_______________________________________________________________________




672. INTERAGENCY POLICY ON THE PRESCRIPTION OF FISHWAYS UNDER SECTION 18 
OF THE FEDERAL POWER ACT

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 742; 16 USC 661 et seq; 16 USC 791a et seq; 16 
USC et 1531 et seq; 16 USC 811 et seq; ...

CFR Citation: 18 CFR 385.713

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rulemaking invites public comment on proposed internal 
policy for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine 
Fisheries Service (the Services) regarding the prescription of fishways 
pursuant to section 18 of the Federal Power Act for non-Federal 
hydropower projects licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (FERC). The proposed policy is intended to set forth

[[Page 74419]]

the definition of fishways in accordance with the 1992 National Energy 
Policy Act and the procedures for the prescription of fishways. The 
policy does not introduce new procedures but standardizes current 
practices and existing procedures for providing fishway prescriptions.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          12/22/00                    65 FR 80898
Notice Comment Period End       02/20/01
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Kathryn Conant, Habitat Specialist, NMFS, Office of 
Habitat Conservation, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910
Phone: 301 713-2325
Fax: 301 713-1043
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO70
_______________________________________________________________________




673. POLICY FOR REVIEW OF MANDATORY CONDITIONS DEVELOPED BY THE 
DEPARTMENTS OF THE INTERIOR AND COMMERCE IN THE CONTEXT OF HYDROPOWER 
LICENSING

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 791a et seq; 16 USC 811; 16 USC 797(e); 16 USC 
8251(b)

CFR Citation: 18 CFR 385.713

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce 
(Departments) have formalized a process for public review of and 
comment on mandatory conditions and prescriptions the Departments 
develop for inclusion in hydropower licenses issued by the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission pursuant to part I of the Federal Power 
Act. This policy provides an opportunity for public comment on the 
Departments' mandatory conditions and prescriptions for both the 
traditional licensing process and the alternative licensing process.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice                          12/13/00                    65 FR 77889
Notice Comment Period End       01/03/01
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Energy Effects:  Statement of Energy Effects planned as required by 
Executive Order 13211.

Agency Contact: Kathryn Conant, Habitat Specialist, NMFS, Office of 
Habitat Conservation, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910
Phone: 301 713-2325
Fax: 301 713-1043
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO84
_______________________________________________________________________




674. 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
Interim Final Rule              01/09/02                     67 FR 1142
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      02/08/02
Final Action                    12/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP68
_______________________________________________________________________




675. 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.

[[Page 74420]]

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                    02/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Gene Nitta, 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
_______________________________________________________________________




676. PACIFIC OFFSHORE CETACEAN TAKE REDUCTION PLAN

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This interim final rule allows vessel operators participating 
in the California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery for thresher shark and 
swordfish to use longer lines to attach pingers to the nets.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              08/24/01                    66 FR 44549
Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AL70
_______________________________________________________________________




677. DRAFT POLICY FOR EVALUATION OF CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN MAKING 
LISTING DECISIONS

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 424

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This draft policy evaluates conservation efforts in making 
listing decisions under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The policy 
identifies considerations to be used in determining whether 
conservation plans and agreements, management plans or other efforts 
provide sufficient protections to preclude or remove the need to list a 
species under the ESA.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/13/00                    65 FR 37102
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Local

Agency Contact: Margaret C. Lorenz, ESA Policy Coordinator, Office of 
Protected Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910
Phone: 301 713-1401
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AL91
_______________________________________________________________________




678. SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; SHRIMP FISHERY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS issues this rule to make technical changes to the 
requirements for turtle excluder devices (TEDs) to increase their 
effectiveness. In particular, NMFS is considering increasing the size 
of TED escape openings to allow larger turtles to escape. The options 
NMFS is currently considering are: Requiring the leatherback opening 
with a minimum 32-inch grid in all areas (71-inch opening), or 
requiring a 35-inch by 16-inch opening with a minimum 30-inch grid in 
all areas. In addition, NMFS is considering other modifications to the 
TED regulations, including modifying or decertifying hooped hard TEDs 
and weedless TEDs, changing the requirements for the types of flotation 
devices allowed, and extending the requirement to have a short flap and 
grid angle of no greater than 45 degrees on bottom opening TEDs (other 
than TEDs equipped with the leatherback opening) to all areas in the 
U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the Southeast U.S. Atlantic. NMFS is also 
considering modifications to the leatherback contingency plan (50 CFR 
223.206(d)(2)(iv)) to provide better protection to leatherback turtles.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           04/05/00                    65 FR 17852
ANPRM Comment Period End        05/05/00
NPRM                            10/02/01                    66 FR 50148
NPRM Comment Period End         11/16/01
Comment Period Extended         02/15/02
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Therese Conant, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Protected Resources, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-1431
Fax: 301 713-0376

RIN: 0648-AN62
_______________________________________________________________________




679. DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT: PROPOSED CRITICAL HABITAT FOR NORTHERN 
CALIFORNIA STEELHEAD

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1533

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 226

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, June 7, 2001.

Abstract: On June 7, 2000, NMFS listed the Northern California 
steelhead evolutionarily significant unit of steelhead as threatened 
under the Endangered Species Act. NMFS will now designate critical 
habitat for these steelhead.

[[Page 74421]]

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/19/00                    65 FR 79328
NPRM Comment Period End         02/20/01
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Barry Thom, Fishery Biologist, Office of Protected 
Resources, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-1401
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO04
_______________________________________________________________________




680. 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 Action                    11/00/02

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AO16
_______________________________________________________________________




681. RESTRICTIONS ON POUND NET LEADERS TO ENHANCE TURTLE PROTECTION IN 
VIRGINIA; THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 222; 50 CFR 223; 50 CFR 224

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action involves prohibiting the use of all pound net 
leaders measuring 12 inches or greater stretched mesh and all pound 
nets with stringer leaders in the Virginia waters of the mainstem 
Chesapeake Bay and the waters of the James River, York River, and 
Rappahannock River downstream of the first bridge in each tributary 
from May 8 to June 30. This action also includes a provision to extend 
the regulation if NMFS believes that sea turtles may still be 
vulnerable to entanglement in pound net leaders after June 30. Should 
an extension of the prohibition of pound net leaders measuring 12 
inches or greater stretched mesh and leaders with stringers be 
necessary, NMFS will file a notification with the Office of the Federal 
Register explicitly stating the duration of the extension. 
Additionally, this proposed rule incorporates a measure that if high 
strandings start to occur and/or monitoring of pound net leaders 
reveals new information about sea turtle interactions with pound net 
leaders less than 12 inches stretched mesh, NMFS may determine that 
additional restrictions are necessary. Should this occur, NMFS will 
immediately file a final rule with the Office of the Federal Register 
which explicitly states the mandatory gear modification as well as the 
affected area and the time period. Such additional restrictions may 
include prohibiting the use of all pound net leaders measuring 8 inches 
or greater stretched mesh or prohibiting the use of all pound net 
leaders regardless of mesh size in the Virginia waters of the mainstem 
Chesapeake Bay and portions of the Virginia tributaries from the date 
of publication to June 30.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/29/02                    67 FR 15160
NPRM Comment Period End         04/15/02
Interim Final Rule              06/17/02                    67 FR 41196
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      07/17/02
Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Mary A. Colligan, Assistant Regional Admisistrator, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NMFS/Protected Resources, Protected Resources Division, 
One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: 978 281-9116
Fax: 978 281-9394

RIN: 0648-AP81
_______________________________________________________________________




682. SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; FISHERY ACTIVITIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is enacting a seasonally adjusted closure of the Mid-
Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters to fishing with gillnets 
with a mesh size larger than 8 inch (20.3 cm) stretched mesh. The 
purpose of this action is to reduce the impact of the large-mesh 
gillnet fisheries on endangered and threatened species of sea turtles 
primarily from the monkfish fishery which has previously demonstrated a 
high sea turtle bycatch and mortality rate. The closure areas and times 
are as follows: waters north of 33 degrees 51.0 minutes N (North 
Carolina/South Carolina border at the coast) and south of 35 degrees 
46.0 minutes N (Oregon Inlet) are closed at all times; waters north of 
35 degrees 46.0 minutes N (Oregon Inlet) and south of 36 degrees 22.5 
minutes N (Currituck Beach Light, NC) are closed from March 16 through 
January 14; waters north of 36 degrees 22.5 minutes N (Currituck Beach 
Light, NC) and south of 37 degrees 34.6 minutes N (Wachapreague Inlet, 
VA) are closed from April 1 through January 14; waters north of 37 
degrees 34.6 minutes N (Wachapreague Inlet, VA) and south of 37 degrees 
56.0 minutes N

[[Page 74422]]

(Chincoteague, VA) are closed from April 16 through January 14; waters 
north of 37 degrees 56.0 minutes N (Chincoteague, VA) will not be 
affected by this rule. NMFS also intends to publish a permanent rule 
establishing seasonal closures and is seeking comments on this 
proposal. In addition, NMFS is requesting comments on the need to 
consider restrictions on smaller gillnet mesh sizes in the permanent 
rule.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              03/21/02                    67 FR 13098
Final Action                    12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patrick Opay, Sea Turtle Ecologist, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-
West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-1401

RIN: 0648-AP91
_______________________________________________________________________




683. [bull] LISTING ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND DESIGNATING 
CRITICAL HABITAT; 90-DAY FINDING

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, 
announces the 90-day finding for a petition to reclassify the Northern 
and Florida Panhandle nesting subpopulations of the loggerhead (Caretta 
caretta) sea turtle from threatened to endangered and designate 
critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Services 
find that the petition to reclassify presents substantial scientific 
information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. The 
Services find that the petition to designate critical habitat did not 
provide substantial scientific information to warrant further review. 
The Services will conduct a status review of the loggerhead turtle to 
determine whether the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure a 
comprehensive review, the Services are soliciting information and 
comments pertaining to this species from any interested party.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/04/02                    67 FR 38459
NPRM Comment Period End         08/05/02
Final Action                    01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Therese Conant, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Protected Resources, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-1431
Fax: 301 713-0376

RIN: 0648-AP94
_______________________________________________________________________




684. [bull] DESIGNATION OF CRITICAL HABITAT FOR GULF STURGEON

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1531 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 226

Legal Deadline: NPRM, Judicial, May 23, 2002.
Final, Judicial, February 28, 2003.

Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (collectively, the Services) jointly listed the Gulf 
sturgeon as ``threatened'' under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 
1991. The ESA requires that critical habitat be designated for any 
listed species. On June 6, 2002, the Services proposed designating 
critical habitat for the Gulf sturgeon. The proposed designation 
includes seven freshwater and seven estuarine/marine units in the Gulf 
of Mexico as critical habitat. All of the units proposed as critical 
habitat are areas presently occupied by Gulf sturgeon during part of 
its life cycle. On August 8, 2002, the Services announced the 
availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation, 
and extended the public comment period for the proposal to October 7, 
2002. A final designation must be filed by February 28, 2003, per a 
court settlement agreement.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            06/06/02                    67 FR 39106
Comment Period Extended         08/08/02                    67 FR 51530
NPRM Comment Period End         10/07/02
Final Action                    05/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Stephania Bolden, Fisheries Biologist, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, F/SER3, 9721 
Executive Center Drive North, St. Peterburg, FL 33702
Phone: 727 570-5312

RIN: 0648-AQ03
_______________________________________________________________________




685. [bull] TAKING OF THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES INCIDENTAL TO 
COMMERCIAL FISHING OPERATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 222; 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to 
prohibit drift gillnet fishing in U.S. ocean waters off of southern 
California south of Point Conception (34 degrees 27 minutes N) and west 
to 120 degrees W longitude from August 15 to August 31, and from 
January 1 to January 31, during El Nino events.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/20/02                    67 FR 59243
NPRM Comment Period End         10/21/02
Final Action                    01/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Therese Conant, Department of Commerce, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Protected Resources, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-1431
Fax: 301 713-0376

RIN: 0648-AQ13

[[Page 74423]]

_______________________________________________________________________




686. [bull] TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING 
OPERATIONS; ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN REGULATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1387

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is proposing to amend the regulations that implement the 
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. The purpose of this rule is 
to correct unintended errors in the Seasonal Area Management interim 
final rule and the Dynamic Area Management final rule's preambles. Some 
aspects of each program were inadvertently omitted from the associated 
regulatory text and this technical amendment makes the regulatory text 
reflect information provided in the rules' preambles.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AQ23



_______________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE/OFFICE OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT


                    ________________________________



687. NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS UNDER THE OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 
1990

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 33 USC 2706(e)

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 990

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action amends the natural resource damage assessment 
rule under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, codified at 15 CFR 990, due 
to court remand (General Electric vs. Commerce, 128 F. 3d 767. DC Cir. 
1997).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/31/01                    66 FR 39464
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Eli Reinharz, Ecologist, Department of Commerce, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA/DAC, Room 10218, 
1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-3038
Fax: 301 713-4387

RIN: 0648-AM80
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Long-Term Actions


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



_______________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE


                    ________________________________



688. FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR CALICO SCALLOP FISHERY IN THE SOUTH 
ATLANTIC REGION (FMP)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers
Phone: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AL78
_______________________________________________________________________




689. AMENDMENT 10 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SHRIMP FISHERY 
OF THE GULF OF MEXICO (FMP)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers
Phone: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AM23
_______________________________________________________________________




690. AMENDMENT 7 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SPINY LOBSTER 
FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTH ATLANTIC FMP

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 640

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/03
NPRM Comment Period End         12/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers
Phone: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AN08
_______________________________________________________________________




691. SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; FISHERY ACTIVITIES (TEDS)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              05/14/01                    66 FR 24287


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

[[Page 74424]]

Agency Contact: Therese Conant
Phone: 301 713-1431
Fax: 301 713-0376

RIN: 0648-AP16
_______________________________________________________________________




692. [bull] FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES; ATLANTIC 
MACKEREL, SQUID, AND BUTTERFISH FISHERIES; CONTROL DATE FOR ATLANTIC 
MACKEREL

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS announces that it is considering, and is seeking public 
comment on, proposed rulemaking to control future access to the 
Atlantic mackerel resource if a management regime is developed and 
implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery conservation and 
Management Act that limits the number of participants in the fishery. 
This announcement is intended, in part, to promote awareness of 
potential eligibility criteria for future access so as to discourage 
speculative entry into the fishery while the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council and NMFS consider whether and how access to the 
Atlantic mackerel fishery should be controlled.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    07/05/02                    67 FR 44792
Comment Period End              08/05/02


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ11
_______________________________________________________________________




693. ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES: TAKE OF THREATENED SOUTHERN 
OREGON/NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST EVOLUTIONARILY SIGNIFICANT UNIT (ESU) 
COHO SALMON

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              07/18/97                    62 FR 38479


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Barry Thom
Phone: 301 713-1401
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AJ91
_______________________________________________________________________




694. 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                            12/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Trevor Spradlin
Phone: 301 713-2289
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AM85



_______________________________________________________________________



NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE/OFFICE OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT


                    ________________________________



695. INTERAGENCY CONSULTATION FOR THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Helen Golde
Phone: 301 713-3145

RIN: 0648-AL06
_______________________________________________________________________




696. INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING COMMERCIAL SUBMARINE CABLES IN NATIONAL 
MARINE SANCTUARIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 922

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           08/23/00                    65 FR 51264
ANPRM Comment Period End        10/23/00


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Helen Golde
Phone: 301 713-3145

RIN: 0648-AO36
_______________________________________________________________________




697. [bull] PROCEDURAL CHANGES TO THE FEDERAL CONSISTENCY PROCESS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1463; 16 USC 1451 et seq

CFR Citation: 15 CFR 930

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NOAA is evaluating whether procedural changes or additional 
guidance to the existing Federal consistency regulations is necessary 
to improve efficiencies in the Federal consistency procedures and 
Secretarial appeals process, particularly as related to energy 
development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

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, Federal Consistency Coordinator, 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1305 East-West Highway, 11th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 
20910
Phone: 301 713-3155
Fax: 301 713-4367
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP98

[[Page 74425]]




_______________________________________________________________________



OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR


                    ________________________________



698. 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
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Completed Actions


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)



_______________________________________________________________________




699. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO ESTABLISH PERMIT AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
FOR PELAGIC TROLL AND HANDLINE VESSELS FISHING OFF PACIFIC REMOTE 
ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/06/02                    67 FR 30346
Final Action                    09/04/02                    67 FR 56500

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Local, Tribal, Federal

Agency Contact: Charles Karnella
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AJ08
_______________________________________________________________________




700. ADJUSTMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR PRECIOUS CORALS FISHERIES 
IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/18/02                    67 FR 11941
Final Action Effective          04/17/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Charles Karnella
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AK23
_______________________________________________________________________




701. AMENDMENT 54 TO FMP FOR GROUNDFISH FISHERY OF BERING SEA AND 
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA AND AMENDMENT 54 TO FMP FOR GROUNDFISH OF GULF OF 
ALASKA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    04/29/02                    67 FR 20915
Final Action Effective          05/29/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AK70
_______________________________________________________________________




702. FISHING CAPACITY REDUCTION PROGRAM

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 600

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              05/18/00                    65 FR 31430

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Michael L. Grable
Phone: 301 713-2390
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AK76
_______________________________________________________________________




703. CRAB COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT QUOTA RESERVES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/22/02                    67 FR 13291

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AL92
_______________________________________________________________________




704. AMENDMENT 67 TO THE FMP FOR THE GROUNDFISH FISHERY OF THE BERING 
SEA AND THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AREA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    04/15/02                    67 FR 18129
Correction                      08/15/02                    67 FR 53321

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: James W. Balsiger
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AM40
_______________________________________________________________________




705. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO PREVENT OR MITIGATE THE TAKE OF SEA TURTLES 
IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC PELAGIC FISHERIES

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/29/02                    67 FR 20945
Final Action                    06/12/02                    67 FR 40232
Correction                      07/25/02                    67 FR 48604

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Charles Karnella
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AN75

[[Page 74426]]

_______________________________________________________________________




706. GENERIC AMENDMENT ADDRESSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TORTUGAS 
MARINE RESERVES UNDER THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    07/19/02                    67 FR 47467

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers
Phone: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AN83
_______________________________________________________________________




707. AMENDMENT 3 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE GOLDEN CRAB 
FISHERY OFF THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC STATES (FMP)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/03/02                    67 FR 22359

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers
Phone: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AO23
_______________________________________________________________________




708. REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO MODIFY THE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE 
WESTERN PACIFIC PELAGIC FISHERIES TO MITIGATE THE TAKE OF SEABIRDS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      05/14/02                    67 FR 34408
Final Rule Effective            06/13/02
Final Action                    09/10/02                    67 FR 57346

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: State, Local

Agency Contact: Charles Karnella
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AO35
_______________________________________________________________________




709. AMENDMENT 11 TO FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SHRIMP FISHERY OF GULF 
OF MEXICO (FMP)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    08/07/02                    67 FR 51074
Final Action Effective          09/06/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers
Phone: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AO51
_______________________________________________________________________




710. AMENDMENTS TO FMPS FOR GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH AND GULF OF MEXICO 
AND SOUTH ATLANTIC COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC RESOURCES TO LIMIT ENTRY 
INTO GULF OF MEXICO RECREATIONAL-FOR-HIRE FISHERIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 622

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/28/02                    67 FR 43558

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Joseph Powers
Phone: 727 570-5301

RIN: 0648-AO62
_______________________________________________________________________




711. RECREATIONAL MEASURES FOR THE SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA 
BASS FISHERIES FOR FISHING YEAR 2002

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/23/02                    67 FR 36139
Final Action                    08/02/02                    67 FR 50368

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia Kurkul
Phone: 978 281-9200

RIN: 0648-AO91
_______________________________________________________________________




712. SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SPINY DOGFISH FISHERY FOR FISHING YEAR 2002

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/07/02                    67 FR 30614

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia Kurkul
Phone: 978 281-9200

RIN: 0648-AP07
_______________________________________________________________________




713. FRAMEWORK 1 TO THE MONKFISH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR FISHING 
YEAR 2002; DISAPPROVAL OF FRAMEWORK

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/04/02                    67 FR 16079
Emergency Interim Rule          05/22/02                    67 FR 35928
Emergency Interim Rule Ends     11/18/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia Kurkul
Phone: 978 281-9200

RIN: 0648-AP11
_______________________________________________________________________




714. FRAMEWORK ADJUSTMENT 2 TO THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE 
ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SQUID, AND BUTTERFISH FISHERIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/28/02                    67 FR 36556
Final Action                    07/02/02                    67 FR 44392

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia Kurkul
Phone: 978 281-9200

RIN: 0648-AP12

[[Page 74427]]

_______________________________________________________________________




715. ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; PELAGIC LONGLINE FISHERY; SEA 
TURTLE PROTECTION MEASURES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 635

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/10/02                    67 FR 17349
Final Action                    07/09/02                    67 FR 45393

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: John Dunnigan
Phone: 301 713-2334
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP49
_______________________________________________________________________




716. 2002-2003 MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR COMMERCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND 
TREATY INDIAN SALMON FISHERIES OFF THE COASTS OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND 
CALIFORNIA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/07/02                    67 FR 30616

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn
Phone: 206 526-6150
Fax: 206 526-6426

RIN: 0648-AP52
_______________________________________________________________________




717. ATLANTIC BLUEFISH FISHERY; SPECIFICATIONS FOR FISHING YEAR 2002

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    06/06/02                    67 FR 38909

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia Kurkul
Phone: 978 281-9200

RIN: 0648-AP59
_______________________________________________________________________




718. PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES CATCH SHARING PLAN

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: None

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    03/20/02                    67 FR 12885

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Local

Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn
Phone: 206 526-6150
Fax: 206 526-6426

RIN: 0648-AP80
_______________________________________________________________________




719. IMPOSING ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS IN THE HAWAII-BASED LONGLINE 
FISHERY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              04/05/02                    67 FR 16323

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Charles Karnella
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AP84
_______________________________________________________________________




720. IMPLEMENT 2002 PACIFIC WHITING SPECIFICATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              04/15/02                    67 FR 18117
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      05/15/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: D. Robert Lohn
Phone: 206 526-6150
Fax: 206 526-6426

RIN: 0648-AP85
_______________________________________________________________________




721. [bull] CONTROL DATE FOR LONGLINE VESSELS FISHING FOR PELAGIC 
SPECIES IN THE EEZ AROUND AMERICAN SAMOA

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, Final rule must be published 30 days 
after the comment period ends on the proposed rule.

Abstract: On March 21, 2002, the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council) adopted a ``control date'' of March 21, 2002, for the 
longline fishery for pelagic species around American Samoa (the 
``fishery'') that entrance to this fishery might be limited. The 
purpose of the ``control date'' is to notify persons interested in 
joining this fishery after March 21, that they might be excluded from 
the fishery if the Council and/or NMFS decide to limit entry to the 
fishery. The Council is currently developing an amendment to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western 
Pacific Region to limit new entry to this fishery. The specific 
eligibility requirements that would be used in this limited entry 
program are still being formulated and analyzed. The Council may choose 
not to control entry or access to the fishery, in which case the 
control date may be rescinded.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              06/03/02                    67 FR 38245
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      07/03/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

Agency Contact: Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands 
Area Office, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 
96814-4700
Phone: 808 973-2937

RIN: 0648-AQ01

[[Page 74428]]

_______________________________________________________________________




722. [bull] CHANGE OF TITLE FOR THE SALMON FMP

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

Legal Authority: 16 USC 773 et seq; 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is correcting the title of the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Salmon Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off 
Alaska (FMP). This action is necessary to make the name of the FMP in 
Federal regulations consistent with the actual name of the FMP as 
approved by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). The intended effect 
of this action is regulatory consistency, and it will have no effect on 
any person fishing in the EEZ for any species.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    07/01/02                    67 FR 44093

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

RIN: 0648-AQ10
_______________________________________________________________________




723. [bull] NOTICE OF CONTROL DATE FOR HAGFISH FISHERY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: At present, the hagfish fishery is not regulated under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act). The control date admonishes the industry that future 
action to control the number of participants in the hagfish fishery is 
being considered. It announces that anyone entering the hagfish fishery 
after the control date will not be assured of future access, should a 
management regime that limits the number of participants in the fishery 
be prepared and implemented. Limited entry into the fishery may be 
based on levels of participation or other criteria such as domestic 
harvest capacity. The control date is intended to discourage 
speculative entry into the hagfish fishery if controlled access schemes 
are developed by the Council. This notice would establish the date of 
its publication in the Federal Register as the control date. The 
publication of a control date would not commit the Council to 
developing any particular management regime or to using any specific 
criteria for determining entry into the fishery. Any action by the 
Council will be taken pursuant to the requirements for FMP development 
established under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    08/28/02                    67 FR 55191

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patricia 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-AQ12
_______________________________________________________________________




724. [bull] REGULATORY AMENDMENT TO CORRECT THE DEFINITION OF ``ELIGIBLE 
APPLICANT'' FOR A CRAB SPECIES LICENSE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 679

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action corrects paragraph (3) of the definition of 
``eligible applicant'' for a crab species license. This paragraph is 
designed to implement part of the License Limitation Program (LLP) for 
the crab fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. A final rule 
to implement the initial crab LLP was published on October 1, 1998 (63 
FR 52642). As published in this rule, paragraph (3) incorrectly 
included the word ``and'' between ``1993'' and ``1994'' in the 
``eligible applicant'' definition. This error incorrectly made the 
conditions for a certain crab species license more restrictive than 
intended by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council and NMFS and 
inconsistent with crab species license criteria specified at section 
679.4(k)(5)(ii)(G). NMFS corrected this error on September 12, 2000 (65 
FR 54971).
Subsequently, NMFS issued a final rule on December 14, 2000 (65 FR 
78110) to implement Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
scallop fishery off Alaska, which created an LLP for the scallop 
fishery. The scallop final rule added clarifying subheadings to the 
numbered paragraphs within the definition of ``eligible applicant'' and 
in the process, repeated the regulatory text of each paragraph. The 
regulatory text repeated for paragraph (3), however, was the original 
incorrect text published on October 1, 1998, for the crab LLP. This 
mistake likely occurred because, with respect to paragraph (3), the 
scallop final rule relied on the text of the proposed rule for the 
scallop LLP which was published on April 21, 2000 (65 FR 21385), before 
the text was corrected nearly five months later on September 12, 2000. 
Therefore, this action recorrects paragraph (3) to read as originally 
intended and corrected to read on September 12, 2000.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    08/28/02                    67 FR 55170

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. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: 907 586-7221
Fax: 907 586-7249

Related RIN: Related To 0648-AM42
RIN: 0648-AQ36
_______________________________________________________________________




725. SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; FISHERY ACTIVITIES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action Effective          09/03/02
Final Action                    09/06/02                    67 FR 56931

[[Page 74429]]

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Therese Conant
Phone: 301 713-1431
Fax: 301 713-0376

RIN: 0648-AP63
_______________________________________________________________________




726. ENDANGERED SPECIES; TRANSFERRING PERMITS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 224; 50 CFR 223; 50 CFR 222

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    09/13/02                    67 FR 57970
Final Action Effective          10/15/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Lamont Jackson
Phone: 301 713-1401

RIN: 0648-AP64
_______________________________________________________________________




727. RULEMAKING FOR THE INCIDENTAL TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS DURING 
WORLDWIDE DEPLOYMENT OF THE U.S. NAVY'S LOW FREQUENCY ACTIVE SONAR

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216.101

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    07/16/02                    67 FR 46712

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Kenneth R. Hollingshead
Phone: 301 713-2055
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AM62
_______________________________________________________________________




728. SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 223; 50 CFR 222

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    04/17/02                    67 FR 18833

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: State, Federal

Agency Contact: Therese Conant
Phone: 301 713-1431
Fax: 301 713-0376

RIN: 0648-AM89
_______________________________________________________________________




729. TAKING AND IMPORTING MARINE MAMMALS; TAKING MARINE MAMMALS 
INCIDENTAL TO OIL AND GAS STRUCTURE REMOVAL ACTIVITIES IN THE GULF OF 
MEXICO

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            04/19/02                    67 FR 19370
Final Action                    08/01/02                    67 FR 49869

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Kenneth Hollingshead
Phone: 301 713-2322
Fax: 301 713-0376
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP83
_______________________________________________________________________




730. [bull] TAKING OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO COMMERCIAL FISHING 
OPERATIONS; ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN REGULATIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This action will amend the regulations that implement the 
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, specifically with regard to 
the straight set of gillnets in the southeast U.S. restricted area in 
waters off the coasts of Georgia and Florida. The intent of this 
rulemaking is to prohibit straight sets of gillnets at night from 
November 15 through March 31, annually to reduce the risk of 
entanglement of large whales, including the western North Atlantic 
right whale.
This rule was published on March 27, 2002, in the Federal Register 
under RIN 0648-AN88.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            03/27/02                    67 FR 14690
NPRM Comment Period End         05/28/02
Final Action                    09/23/02                    67 FR 59471

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

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: [email protected]

Related RIN: Related To 0648-AN88
RIN: 0648-AP93
_______________________________________________________________________




731. [bull] SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE 
TO SHRIMP TRAWL ACTIVITIES; LEATHERBACK CONSERVATION ZONE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 222; 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is closing, for a two-week period, all inshore waters 
and offshore waters out to 10 nautical miles (nm) (18.5 km) seaward of 
the COLREGS demarcation line, bounded by 31 degrees N. lat. 
(approximately St. Andrews Sound, Georgia) and 32 degrees N. lat. 
(approximately Tybee Island, Georgia) within the Leatherback 
Conservation Zone, to fishing by shrimp trawlers required to have a 
turtle excluder device (TED) installed in each net that is rigged for 
fishing, unless the TED has an escape opening large enough to exclude 
leatherback turtles, as specified in the regulations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    04/24/02                    67 FR 20054

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patrick Opay, Sea Turtle Ecologist, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-
West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910

[[Page 74430]]

Phone: 301 713-1401

RIN: 0648-AP96
_______________________________________________________________________




732. [bull] ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION; TEMPORARY AREA AND GEAR 
RESTRICTIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 229

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is implementing temporary restrictions consistent with 
the requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan's 
(ALWTRP) implementing regulations. These restrictions apply to lobster 
trap and anchored gillnet fishing gear in an area totaling 
approximately 1,100 square nautical miles (nm2) (2,038.5 km2) in April 
and 1,700 nm2 (3,150 km2) in May off Cape Ann, MA, for 15 days. The 
purpose of this action is to provide immediate protection to an 
aggregation of North Atlantic right whales (right whales).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              04/26/02                    67 FR 20699

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

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: [email protected]

RIN: 0648-AP97
_______________________________________________________________________




733. [bull] SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE 
TO SHRIMP TRAWL ACTIVITIES; LEATHERBACK CONSERVATION ZONE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 222; 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is closing, for a short 2-week period, all inshore 
waters and offshore waters 10 nautical miles (nm) (18.5 km) seaward of 
the COLREGS demarcation line, bounded by 32 degrees N. lat. 
(approximately Tybee Island, Georgia) and 34 degrees N. lat. 
(approximately Wilmington Beach, North Carolina) within the Leatherback 
Conservation Zone, to fishing by shrimp trawlers required to have a 
turtle excluder device (TED) installed in each net that is rigged for 
fishing, unless the TED has an escape opening large enough to exclude 
leatherback turtles, as specified in the regulations.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/01/02                    67 FR 21585

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patrick Opay, Sea Turtle Ecologist, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-
West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-1401

RIN: 0648-AP99
_______________________________________________________________________




734. [bull] SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION REGULATIONS; RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE 
TO SHRIMP TRAWL ACTIVITIES; LEATHERBACK CONSERVATION ZONE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

CFR Citation: 50 CFR 222; 50 CFR 223

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: NMFS is requiring shrimp trawlers fishing in offshore 
Atlantic waters west of 77 degrees 57.5 minutes W. longitude 
(approximately Cape Fear, N.C.) and north of 30 degrees N. latitude 
(just north of St. Augustine, Fla.) to use tirtle excluder devices 
(TEDs) with escape openings modified to exclude leatherback turtles and 
to restrict shrimp trawling to the hours between one hour before 
sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    05/30/02                    67 FR 37723

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Patrick Opay, Sea Turtle Ecologist, Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-
West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 301 713-1401

RIN: 0648-AQ06
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Completed Actions


National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)



_______________________________________________________________________




735. MANDATORY REIMBURSEMENT RULES FOR RELOCATION OF FEDERAL SPECTRUM

Priority: Other Significant

CFR Citation: 47 CFR 301

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Rule                      06/17/02                    67 FR 41182

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Milton Brown
Phone: 202 482-1816
Fax: 202 501-8013
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0660-AA14

[[Page 74431]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                        Proposed Rule Stage


Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)



_______________________________________________________________________




736. RULES OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS AND 
INTERFERENCES IN APPEALS UNDER 35 U.S.C. 134

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(B)(2); 35 USC 6; 35 USC 134

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1.191 to 1.198; 37 CFR 1.959 to 1.981

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office proposes to 
amend its rules of patent appellate practice to simplify proceedings 
and to reflect changes in recent legislation.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Jeffrey V. Nase, Administrative Patent Judge, 
Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Commissioner of 
Patents and Trademarks, Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 703 305-9797
Fax: 703 308-7953
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB27
_______________________________________________________________________




737. CHANGES IN RULES OF PRACTICE FOR PATENT INTERFERENCES AND RELATED 
PROCEEDINGS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 2; 35 USC 3; 35 USC 6; 35 USC 10; 35 USC 22; 35 
USC 23; 35 USC 25; 35 USC 32; 35 USC 41; 35 USC 135; ...

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1; 37 CFR 41; ...

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office will revise its 
rules of practice in patent interferences to simplify the process and 
to increase its flexibility and efficiency.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Richard Torczon, Administrative Patent Judge, 
Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Box Interference, 
Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 703 308-9797
Fax: 703 305-0942
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB32
_______________________________________________________________________




738. CHANGES TO IMPROVE THE PATENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2)

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is 
revising the rules of practice to improve the patent application and 
examination process. For example, the Office is proposing: (1) changes 
to facilitate the filing of applications and subsequent papers by 
facsimile or electronic mail message over Internet; (2) changes to the 
manner in which applicants bring pertinent information to the Office's 
attention and how the Office uses that information; (3) limitation on 
the number of claims that must be given a separate examination by the 
Office; (4) changes to allow the Office to terminate proceedings or 
application if the applicant refuses to prosecute the application with 
reasonable diligence; and (5) changes that facilitate obtaining 
information from the applicant to aid in the examination process, such 
as what information is well known in the art, where support for a claim 
is found in the written description, what priority application provides 
support for each claim. These changes to the patent application and 
examination process are necessary for the Office to be able to process 
an ever-increasing number of applications within a reasonable time 
frame.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Robert W. Bahr, Senior Patent Attorney, Department of 
Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Box DAC, Assistant Commissioner 
for Patents, Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 703 305-8850
Fax: 703 305-6916
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB50
_______________________________________________________________________




739. [bull] REVISION OF THE FEES FOR REQUEST FOR CONTINUED EXAMINATION 
AND THE URAA TRANSITIONAL EXAMINATION PRACTICES

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 41, 2(b)(2)

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is 
proposing to adjust the fee for filing a request for continued 
examination in a patent application, and the fees for a submission 
after final or for the examination of each additional invention under 
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) transitional examination 
practices in a patent application. The Office is proposing to adjust 
these fees to be closer to the actual cost of providing the additional 
examination given to an application when an applicant files a request 
for continued examination, or a submission after final or a request for 
the examination of each additional invention under the URAA 
transitional examination practices.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

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, Box DAC, Assistant Commissioner 
for Patents, Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 703 305-8850
Fax: 703 305-6916
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB53

[[Page 74432]]

_______________________________________________________________________




740. [bull] 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 2.120(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 proposes to 
amend its rules of practice in connection with inter partes proceedings 
before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to require initial 
disclosure of certain information.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: 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, 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 703 308-9300
Fax: 703 308-9092
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB56
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)



_______________________________________________________________________




741. COMPLAINTS REGARDING INVENTION PROMOTERS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2); 35 USC 297; PL 106-113, sec 4001

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 4

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The Patent and Trademark Office (Office) has added rules of 
practice to implement the Office's procedures for accepting complaints 
under the Inventor's Rights Act of 1999. The Act requires the Office to 
provide a forum for publishing complaints concerning invention 
promoters.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              01/20/00                     65 FR 3127
Interim Final Rule Effective    01/28/00
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: William R. Covey, Associate Counsel for General Law, 
Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 
20231
Phone: 703 308-2000
Fax: 703 305-5907
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB12
_______________________________________________________________________




742. ELIMINATION OF CONTINUED PROSECUTION APPLICATION PRACTICE AS TO 
UTILITY AND PLANT

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 2(b)(2)

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 (AIPA) enacted 
provisions for the continued examination of a utility or plant 
application at the request of the applicant (request for continued 
examination or RCE practice). Therefore, there no longer appears to be 
a need for continued prosecution application (CPA) practice as to 
utility and plant applications. Thus, the Office is eliminating CPA 
practice as to utility and plant applications. An applicant for a 
utility or plant patent may also continue to effectively obtain further 
examination of the application by filing a continuing application under 
section 1.53(b). Since RCE practice does not apply to design 
applications, CPA practice will remain in place for design 
applications.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            07/09/01                    66 FR 35763
NPRM Comment Period End         09/07/01
Final Action                    11/00/02
Final Action Effective          11/00/02

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, Box DAC, Assistant Commissioner 
for Patents, Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 703 305-8850
Fax: 703 305-6916
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB37
_______________________________________________________________________




743. [bull] REVISION OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK FEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

Priority: Routine and Frequent

Legal Authority: 35 USC 41; 15 USC 1115; 35 USC 1051; 15 USC 1113; 15 
USC 1123; 35 USC 2(b)(2); 35 USC 376; PL 105-358; PL 106-113

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 2.6

Legal Deadline: Final, Statutory, October 1, 2002, 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 106-113.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NRPM                            05/17/02                    67 FR 30634
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Matthew Lee, Financial Systems Analyst, Department

[[Page 74433]]

of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, PK1-802, Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 703 305-8051
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB51
_______________________________________________________________________




744. [bull] CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT PATENT-RELATED PROVISIONS OF UNITED 
STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK REAUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEAR 2003

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 41, 2(b)(2)

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office Reauthorization 
Act, fiscal year 2003, includes changes to the patent fee structure as 
well as the patent application examination process. Under the revised 
patent fee structure and patent application examination process, the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) will not examine an 
application for patent unless the applicant files a request for 
examination and pays the examination fee in a timely manner. This 
interim final rule implements these changes in the patent fee structure 
and patent application examination process.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              11/00/02

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, Box DAC, Assistant Commissioner 
for Patents, Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 703 305-8850
Fax: 703 305-6916
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB54
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Long-Term Actions


Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)



_______________________________________________________________________




745. CORRESPONDENCE FILED IN THE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Priority: Info./Admin./Other

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1.1

Timetable: Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Michael Briskin
Phone: 703 308-2000
Fax: 703 305-5907
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB17
_______________________________________________________________________




746. MADRID PROTOCOL IMPLEMENTATION ACT RULES CHANGE

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: Mary E. Hannon
Phone: 703 308-8900
Fax: 703 872-9280
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0651-AB45
_______________________________________________________________________




747. [bull] PROCESSING FEE FOR USE OF PAPER FORMS FOR SUBMISSION OF 
APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 15 USC 1113; 37 USC 9701

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 2.6(a)

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: The United States Patent and Trademark Office seeks to amend 
its rules to require a $50.00 paper processing fee when a party submits 
a paper instead of an electronically transmittable form available 
through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/12/02                    67 FR 35081


Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Craig Morris, Department of Commerce, Patent and 
Trademark Office, Office of the Commissioner of Trademarks, Washington, 
DC 20231
Phone: 703 308-3910

Related RIN: Related To 0651-AB47
RIN: 0651-AB52
_______________________________________________________________________




748. [bull] CHANGES TO REPRESENTATION OF OTHERS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES 
PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 5 USC 500(a)

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) 
proposes to update the procedures regarding enrollment and discipline. 
The office also proposes to replace 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.

Timetable: Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Harry I. Moatz, Director of Enrollment and Discipline, 
Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, Commissioner of 
Patents and Trademarks, Washington, DC 20231

[[Page 74434]]

Phone: 703 306-4097

Related RIN: Related To 0651-AB38
RIN: 0651-AB55
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                          Completed Actions


Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)



_______________________________________________________________________




749. RULEMAKING RELATED TO ELECTRONIC FILING OF TRADEMARK DOCUMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 1.4; 37 CFR 2.21; 37 CFR 2.56; 37 CFR 2.76; 37 CFR 
2.88 to 2.89; 37 CFR 2.161; 37 CFR 2.166 to 2.168; ...

Completed:
________________________________________________________________________

Reason                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Final Action                    07/23/02                    67 FR 36099
Final Action Effective          07/23/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Mary E. Hannon
Phone: 703 308-8900
Fax: 703 872-9280
Email: [email protected]

Related RIN: Merged With 0651-AB48
RIN: 0651-AB31
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Commerce (DOC)                           Final Rule Stage


Technology Administration (TA)



_______________________________________________________________________




750. RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SMALL 
BUSINESS FIRMS UNDER GOVERNMENT GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENTS

Priority: Other Significant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 206

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 401

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: This rule is issued to authorize the electronic reporting of 
inventions and the filing of provisional patent applications.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              08/14/95                    60 FR 41811
Interim Final Rule Comment 
Period End                      09/13/95
Final Action                    06/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Small Entities Affected: Businesses

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: Karen Laney-Cummings, Acting Director, Technology 
Competitiveness, Department of Commerce, Technology Administration, 
14th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-2100
Fax: 202 219-8667

RIN: 0692-AA14
_______________________________________________________________________




751. ACQUISITION AND PROTECTION OF FOREIGN RIGHTS IN INVENTIONS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: EO 10096; 15 USC 3710d

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 101; 37 CFR 501

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: On August 7, 1996, 37 CFR part 101 was abolished and 37 CFR 
part 501 expanded to cover foreign rights of inventions made by Federal 
employees.
We are evaluating the comments received on the interim final rule and 
will be making minor changes to the regulation.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Interim Final Rule              08/07/96                    61 FR 40997
Interim Final Rule Effective    08/07/96
Final Action                    11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: John H. Raubitschek, Patent Counsel, Department of 
Commerce, Technology Administration, HCHB Room 4613, 14th & 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-8010
Fax: 202 273-0607
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0692-AA15
_______________________________________________________________________




752. AMENDMENT TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 
AND SMALL BUSINESS FIRMS UNDER GOVERNMENT GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND 
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 35 USC 206

CFR Citation: 37 CFR 401

Legal Deadline: NPRM, Statutory, June 30, 2000, To provide for an 
exception for support contractors.

Abstract: This would require certain contractors to assign their rights 
if they make an invention under a Cooperative Research and Development 
Agreement.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            09/11/00                    65 FR 54826
Final Rule                      10/00/03

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: Federal

Agency Contact: John H. Raubitschek, Patent Counsel, Department of 
Commerce, Technology Administration, HCHB Room 4613, 14th & 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230
Phone: 202 482-8010
Fax: 202 273-0607
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 0692-AA18
[FR Doc. 02-23903 Filed 12-06-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-BW-S
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