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11156 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 1997 / Notices Manufacturer: Finnigan MAT, Germany. Intended Use: See notice at 62 FR 2133, January 15, 1997. Reasons: The foreign instrument provides: (1) Analytical performance of 0.006% for 13C and 0.012 for 18O (both as CO2) and (2) analysis of samples to 50 bar µl to the above precision. The capabilities of each of the foreign instruments described above are pertinent to each applicant’s intended purposes. We know of no instrument or apparatus being manufactured in the United States which is of equivalent scientific value to either of the foreign instruments. Frank W. Creel, Director, Statutory Import Programs Staff. [FR Doc. 97–5891 Filed 3–10–97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P University of Massachusetts Medical Center; Decision on Application for Duty-free Entry of Scientific Instrument This is a decision pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89–651, 80 Stat. 897; 15 CFR part 301). Related records can be viewed between 8:30 am and 5 pm in Room 4211, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. DECISION: Denied. Applicant has failed to establish that domestic instruments of equivalent scientific value to the foreign instrument for the intended purposes are not available. REASONS: Section 301.5(e)(4) of the regulations requires the denial of applications that have been denied without prejudice to resubmission if they are not resubmitted within the specified time period. This is the case for the following docket. Docket Number: 96–101. Applicant: University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01605. Instrument: Spectrophotometer System, Model SF–61 DX2/X. Manufacturer: Hi- Tech Scientific, United Kingdom. Date of Denial without Prejudice to Resubmission: December 12, 1996. Frank W. Creel, Director, Statutory Import Programs Staff. [FR Doc. 97–5893 Filed 3–10–97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, et al.; Consolidated Decision on Applications for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments This is a decision consolidated pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89–651, 80 Stat. 897; 15 CFR part 301). Related records can be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Room 4211, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Comments: None received. Decision: Approved. No instrument of equivalent scientific value to the foreign instruments described below, for such purposes as each is intended to be used, is being manufactured in the United States. Docket Numbers: 96–075, 96–076R and 96–077. Applicant: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801. Instrument: Eye Tracking System, Model EYELINK. Manufacturer: SR Research Ltd., Canada. Intended Use: See notice at 61 FR 41774, August 12, 1996. Reasons: The foreign instruments provide a sampling rate of 250 Hz and spatial resolution of eye position to 0.005 degree without requiring use of head restraint. Advice received from: National Institutes of Health, December 17, 1996 and January 30, 1997. Docket Number: 96–123. Applicant: William Marsh Rice University, Houston, TX 77005. Instrument: Stopped-Flow Fluorescence Spectrophotometer, Model SX.18MV. Manufacturer: Applied Photophysics Ltd., United Kingdom. Intended Use: See notice at 62 FR 979, January 7, 1997. Reasons: The foreign instrument provides: (1) An instrumental ‘‘deadtime’’ of 1.2 msec permitting measurement of reaction rates up to 1500 sec-1 and (2) sequential mixing capability. Advice received from: National Institutes of Health, December 16, 1996. The National Institutes of Health advises in its memoranda that (1) the capabilities of each of the foreign instruments described above are pertinent to each applicant’s intended purpose and (2) it knows of no domestic instrument or apparatus of equivalent scientific value for the intended use of each instrument. We know of no other instrument or apparatus being manufactured in the United States which is of equivalent scientific value to any of the foreign instruments. Frank W. Creel, Director, Statutory Import Programs Staff. [FR Doc. 97–6040 Filed 3–10–97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Insular Affairs [Docket No. 960508126–6126–01] RIN 0625–AA46 Allocation of Duty-Exemptions for Calendar Year 1997 Among Watch Producers Located in the Virgin Islands AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce; Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This action allocates 1997 duty-exemptions for watch producers located in the Virgin Islands pursuant to Pub. L. 97–446, as amended by Pub. L. 103–465 (‘‘the Act’’). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Faye Robinson, (202) 482–3526. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Act, the Departments of the Interior and Commerce (the Departments) share responsibility for the allocation of duty exemptions among watch assembly firms in the United States insular possessions and the Northern Mariana Islands. In accordance with § 303.3(a) of the regulations (15 CFR part 303), this action establishes the total quantity of duty-free insular watches and watch movements for 1997 at 4,600,000 units and divides this amount among the three insular possessions of the United States and the Northern Mariana Islands. Of this amount, 3,100,000 units may be allocated to Virgin Islands producers, 500,000 to Guam producers, 500,000 to American Samoa producers and 500,000 to Northern Mariana Islands producers (61 FR 55883). The criteria for the calculation of the 1997 duty-exemption allocations among insular producers are set forth in § 303.14 of the regulations. The Departments have verified the data submitted on application form ITA–334P by Virgin Islands producers and inspected their current operations in accordance with Section 303.5 of the regulations. In calendar year 1996 the Virgin Islands watch assembly firms shipped 1,015,199 watches and watch movements into the customs territory of the United States under the Act. The dollar amount of creditable corporate income taxes paid by Virgin Islands producers during calendar year 1996 plus the creditable wages paid by the industry during calendar year 1996 to 11157 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 1997 / Notices residents of the territory totalled $3,623,965. There are no producers in Guam, American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands. The calendar year 1997 Virgin Islands annual allocations set forth below are based on the data verified by the Departments in the Virgin Islands. The allocations reflect adjustments made in data supplied on the producers’ annual application forms (ITA–334P) as a result of the Departments’ verification. The duty-exemption allocations for calendar year 1997 in the Virgin Islands are as follows: Name of firm Annual alloca- tion Belair Quartz, Inc. ................. 500,000 Hampden Watch Co., Inc. .... 200,000 Progress Watch Co., Inc. ..... 500,000 Unitime Industries, Inc. ......... 500,000 Tropex, Inc. ........................... 400,000 Robert S. LaRussa, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, Department of Commerce. Danny Aranza, Acting Director, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior. [FR Doc. 97–5894 Filed 3–10–97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P, 4310–93–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [Docket No. 960322092–7041–05; I.D. 122696A] RIN 0648–ZA19 Gulf of Mexico Sustainable Fisheries Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final notice of availability of Federal assistance. SUMMARY: NMFS establishes a Gulf of Mexico Sustainable Fisheries Program that provides $10 million in fishery disaster assistance to the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). NMFS will allocate the $10 million to the five Gulf states’ fisheries resource agencies for projects or other measures designed to alleviate the long- term effects of the fishery resource disasters on the Gulf’s fishery resources and associated habitat. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Buck Sutter, at (813) 570–5324. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background. Pursuant to his authority under section 308(d) of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act (16 U.S.C. 4107(d)) (IFA), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) declared fishery resource disasters on August 2, 1995, in the Pacific Northwest, New England, and the Gulf. With respect to the Gulf, the Secretary’s disaster declaration (Declaration) cited multiple impacts. Nonpoint source nutrients and debris entering the Gulf as a result of the Mississippi River floods in 1993 and 1994 caused severe hypoxia, a condition where the excess nutrients react to deplete the water of necessary oxygen, which spread to massive areas in the Gulf and threatened marine life and coastal resources. The flood debris created underwater hazards for commercial fishermen who suffered damaged or lost gear and vessels. In addition, the Secretary cited hurricanes that harmed fisheries habitat and engendered substantial economic damage and social disruption. Because of these impacts, the Secretary made $15 million available for the Gulf of Mexico for disaster relief. On June 10, 1996, NMFS published a final notice (61 FR 29350) describing the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Disaster Program (FDP), which committed up to $5 million of the available $15 million for direct grants to commercial fishermen who suffered uninsured fishing vessel or gear damage or loss caused by the hurricanes, floods, or their aftereffects. Subsequently, on October 24, 1996, a notice was published (61 FR 55132) to expand eligibility under the FDP. Section 308(d) of the IFA allows the Secretary to help persons engaged in commercial fisheries by providing assistance indirectly through state and local government agencies. Therefore, the remaining $10 million in Gulf disaster assistance will go toward projects or other measures to alleviate the long-term impacts on Gulf fishery resources and associated habitat from conditions cited in the August 2, 1995, Declaration. Because the impacts varied from state to state, this assistance is provided through the five Gulf state fisheries resource agencies, as they are in the best position to determine how the funds can be used. This notice establishes the criteria that will be used by NOAA to evaluate and fund state disaster assistance proposals. NOAA has been in consultation with the eligible state fishery resource agencies, and plans to invite proposals via letter. At that time, applicants will be provided additional details on applicable Federal assistance requirements. Once NMFS determines that a state’s proposal(s) complies with all applicable terms, limitations, and conditions, NMFS will enter into a financial assistance agreement with that state for the administration of each project. After consultations with appropriate state officials and review of available information regarding the impacts of disasters that occurred from August 23, 1992, through December 31, 1995, NMFS has decided upon the following apportionment of funds: Alabama—$1 million; Florida—$2.25 million; Louisiana—$4.5 million; Mississippi— $1 million; and Texas—$1.25 million. On behalf of the Secretary, NMFS published a Notice of Proposed Program on January 2, 1997 (62 FR 94), to solicit public comments. One written comment was received, from a Gulf state fishery resource agency. The comment expressed support for the proposed program, stating that the criteria established in the notice will allow states to design and implement projects that will benefit fishery resources and habitats in the long term. NMFS agrees and has therefore made no changes to the program. Criteria In order to be considered for funding, a state proposal must adhere to the following criteria: 1. The proposed project(s) must be consistent with the original intent of the Secretary’s disaster declaration and the IFA (i.e., each project must address conditions resulting from nutrients and debris entering the Gulf as a result of floods, and/or hurricanes or hurricane- strength storms, from August 23, 1992 through December 31, 1995); and 2. Projects must address the long-term benefit of the fishery resource and associated habitat and must seek to create healthy, sustainable fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico; and 3. Projects must not duplicate existing Federal, state, or local projects. However, they may augment or allow the maintenance of effort of existing projects, provided that those projects are consistent with all other criteria. In other words, separate projects may not be created if such projects already exist, but funds may be used to maintain existing projects; and 4. Projects that primarily involve new data collection must show a clear relationship between that project and long-term benefits to the fishery resource that are attainable without additional funding. A new data collection project would not qualify under this program if the project would not provide sufficient useful information without future funding. Projects that would qualify under these criteria might include restoration/ development of hurricane or flood-