Search Results for keywords:"CNMI Economic Vitality

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has implemented a final rule that allows hook-and-line catcher/processors to use longline pot gear when targeting Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea. This regulation aims to improve fishing efficiency, boost economic benefits, and reduce interactions with killer whales, which have negatively impacted this fishery. With the approval of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the rule addresses gear restrictions, whale depredation, and species retention, promoting effective fishery management and conservation. The new rules will be effective from April 28, 2025, and include requirements for gear marking and reporting to aid in monitoring and enforcement.

The Department of Commerce, through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), has issued a notice requesting public comment on a revised information collection concerning the Tech Hubs initiative. This initiative aims to enhance U.S. economic and national security by promoting regional innovation and competitiveness. The revised information collection will help ensure that investments in designated Tech Hubs are data-driven and accountable. Public comments are sought to evaluate the necessity, efficiency, and burden of this data collection to improve its effectiveness.

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) has issued a final rule that updates regulations on how oil, gas, and coal are valued for royalty purposes from Federal and Indian leases, and how civil penalties for certain violations are assessed. The rule reintroduces the option for gas lessees to use an index-based valuation method, removes some limitations on transportation and processing allowances, and clarifies definitions and procedures for valuation. It also explains that civil penalties for payment violations will be assessed more transparently, considering the monetary impact of the violation, and clarifies how ONRR considers mitigating and aggravating circumstances, aiming to increase transparency and fairness.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce, is inviting public comments on a new information collection related to U.S. commercial fisheries. The goal is to gather economic data to better manage marine resources and support laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. They aim to collect information about costs, earnings, and other economic factors from various fisheries, focusing on a different set each year to reduce the burden on respondents. This data will help NOAA and other agencies make informed decisions regarding the fishing industry.

The Department of Commerce is inviting the public and other federal agencies to comment on the Chinook Salmon Economic Data Report (EDR) Program managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This program collects data to help assess how well measures to reduce bycatch of Chinook salmon in the Bering Sea pollock fishery are working. They are renewing the information collection process which includes three forms: the Compensated Transfer Report, Vessel Fuel Survey, and Vessel Master Survey. Public comments are open for 60 days, and the information gathered will aid in enhancing the quality and utility of the data collected while minimizing reporting burdens.

The Department of Commerce is seeking public feedback on a new plan to collect emergency economic information from businesses and organizations during unexpected events like pandemics or natural disasters. This initiative aims to quickly gather important data to understand the economic impact of such emergencies and to help decision-makers respond effectively. The Census Bureau will use a set of pre-approved questions and provide this information to relevant authorities, business leaders, and the public. Comments on this proposal are invited to ensure it meets its purpose efficiently and minimizes the burden on those responding.

The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a notice requesting public comments on an information collection related to Hawaii reef diving and snorkeling. This survey aims to understand divers' and snorkelers' spending related to reef activities in several U.S. locations, expanding a previous survey conducted in Hawaii. Feedback from the public will help evaluate the necessity and utility of the information collection, improve its quality, and reduce the burden on respondents. Comments from the public will be included in the request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Department of Commerce is inviting public comments on the necessity and impact of collecting economic data from Gulf and South Atlantic shrimp fishers who hold federal permits. This data collection is part of a larger effort to meet the goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The collected information includes shrimp fishers’ revenues, costs, and investments, which will be used to analyze their response to federal regulations. The deadline for submitting comments is May 19, 2025, and the data will be gathered via a mail survey to about 650 participants.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is requesting public comments on a proposed revision of an ongoing data collection. The survey, which assesses social and economic conditions of hired captains and crew in commercial fisheries, aims to expand its geographic scope to include South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions. It will collect information on demographics, wages, job satisfaction, and attitudes toward fisheries management. Comments on the necessity, cost, and efficiency of this collection are welcomed by March 26, 2021, as part of their submission to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) issued a report identifying countries eligible for economic assistance through compacts for Fiscal Year 2025. Liberia was newly selected, while Cabo Verde, Senegal, and The Gambia were re-selected to continue compact development. The Philippines and Tanzania were chosen to keep developing threshold programs. The criteria for selection included governance and economic performance, with a focus on reducing poverty through economic growth.