The Federal Register

Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89651, as amended by Pub. L. 10636; 80 Stat. 897; 15 CFR part 301), we invite comments on the question of whether instruments of equivalent scientific value, for the purposes for which the instruments shown below are intended to be used, are being manufactured in the United States.

Comments must comply with 15 CFR 301.5(a)(3) and (4) of the regulations and be postmarked on or before (Insert date 20 days after publication in the Federal Register). Address written comments to Statutory Import Programs Staff, Room 2104, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230. Applications may be examined between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Room 2104.

Docket Number: 08026. Applicant: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 4000 Jones Bridge Rd., Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Instrument: Electron Microscope, Model Tecnai Spirit T12BT. Manufacturer: FEI Company, Czech

Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Hawaii Coastal Management Program, the Minnesota Coastal Management Program, the San Francisco (California) Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and the California State Coastal Conservancy.

The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluations will be conducted pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA) and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, Subpart L. The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of states with respect to coastal program implementation. Evaluation of Coastal Management Programs requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has met the national objectives, adhered to its Coastal Management Program document approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA.

Each evaluation will include a site visit, consideration of public com

Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals During Specified Activities; Rat Population Eradication at Rat Island, AK

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

NMFS has received an application from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to the eradication of rat populations at Rat Island, AK. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposed IHA for these activities.

National Sea Grant Review Panel

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Sea Grant Review Panel. The meeting will have several purposes. Panel members will discuss and provide advice to the National Sea Grant College Program in fisheries extension enhancement, the November Panel Meeting in Baton Rouge and Sea Grant reauthorization.

RIN: 0648-XI34

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Groundfish Allocation Committee (GAC) will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public.

Pacific Fishery Management Council; Halibut Managers Workgroup (HMW)

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The HMW is not a committee of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), however, the Council has expressed interest in having a report from the HMW, and has offered to provide meeting space. The meeting is open to the public.

Science Advisory Board (SAB)

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application of science to operations and information services. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support to resource management.

Time and Date: The meeting will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, July 17, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. Please refer to the Web page http://www.sab.noaa.gov/ Meetings/meetings.html for the most

Fiscal Year 2009 Changes to Patent Cooperation Treaty Transmittal and Search Fees

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is proposing to revise the rules of practice to adjust the transmittal and search fees for international applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The Office is proposing to adjust the PCT transmittal and search fees to recover the estimated average cost to the Office of processing PCT international applications and preparing international search reports and written opinions for PCT international applications.

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Wed, Jun 18 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Agency: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Title: Patent Examiner Employment Application.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Agency Approval Number: 06510042.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Burden: 3,500 hours annually.

Number of Respondents: 7,000 responses per year.

Average Hours per Response: 30 minutes. The USPTO estimates that it will take the public approximately 30 minutes (0.50) to gather and prepare the necessary information, and submit the electronic employment application.

Needs and Uses: The Patent Examiner Employment Application, as administered through the USA Staffing system provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is used by the public to apply for e