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Secretary for Antidumping and Affected Public: Individual or ADDRESSES: NIST and NOAA are using Countervailing Duties, at U.S. Households. the https://www.regulations.gov system Department of Commerce, Room 18022, Frequency: Annually. for the submission and posting of public 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. comments in this proceeding. All Washington, DC 20230. This information collection request comments in response to this notice are Dated: October 9, 2019. may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow therefore to be submitted electronically James Maeder, the instructions to view Department of through https://www.regulations.gov, via the web form accessed by following Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping Commerce collections currently under and Countervailing Duty Operations. review by OMB. the ‘‘Submit a Formal Comment’’ link Written comments and near the top right of the Federal [FR Doc. 2019–22692 Filed 10–16–19; 8:45 am] Register web page for this notice. BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: within 30 days of publication of this U.S. survey foot deprecation DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE notice to OIRA_Submission@ resources: https://www.nist.gov/pml/us- omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. surveyfoot. National Institute of Standards and Information on standards Technology Sheleen Dumas, development and maintenance: Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Elizabeth Gentry, 301–975–3690, Submission for OMB Review; Chief Information Officer, Commerce [email protected]. Comment Request Department. Technical and historical information [FR Doc. 2019–22620 Filed 10–16–19; 8:45 am] on usage of the foot: Michael Dennis, The Department of Commerce will BILLING CODE 3510–13–P 240–533–9611, Michael.Dennis@ submit to the Office of Management and noaa.gov. Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: information under the provisions of the Background Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. National Institute of Standards and Chapter 35). Technology This action is designed to establish Agency: National Institute of national uniformity in length Standards and Technology (NIST). Deprecation of the United States (U.S.) measurements based on the foot. For Title: Baldrige Performance Excellent Survey Foot more than sixty years, two nearly Program (BPEP) Team Leader Consensus identical definitions of the foot have AGENCY: The National Institute of and Team Leader Site Visit Information been in use in the U.S. for geodetic and Standards and Technology and the land surveys. A Federal Register notice Collections. National Geodetic Survey (NGS), OMB Control Number: 0693–0079. published on July 1, 1959 (24 FR 5348) National Ocean Service (NOS), National Form Number(s): None. by the National Bureau of Standards Type of Request: Extension and Oceanic and Atmospheric (renamed the National Institute of revision of a current information Administration (NOAA), Department of Standards and Technology in 1988) and collection. Commerce (DOC). the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Number of Respondents: Examiner ACTION: Notice; request for comment. (reorganized as the National Geodetic Performance Assessment—40 per year; Survey under the National Oceanic and Team Leader Performance Assessment— SUMMARY: The National Institute of Atmospheric Administration in 1970) 300 per year. Standards and Technology (NIST) and refined the definition of the yard in Average Hours per Response: the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), terms of the International System of Examiner Performance Assessment—20 National Ocean Service (NOS), National Units (SI), commonly known as the minutes; Team Leader Performance Oceanic and Atmospheric metric system. The 1959 notice was Assessment—5 minutes. Administration (NOAA), are taking issued after an international agreement Burden Hours: Examiner Performance collaborative action to provide national among six nations resolved a long- Assessment—13.5 hours; Team Leader uniformity in the measurement of standing difference in the relationship Performance Assessment—25 hours. length. This notice announces a of the U.S. yard to the British yard. The Needs and Uses: The purpose of the decision to deprecate the use of the notice reported that there was a slight information is to help staff collect data ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ on December 31, difference (2 parts per million) between on the skills of the examiners, including 2022. After that date, the ‘‘U.S. survey the 1959 definition (i.e., one yard = alumni examiners, in order to best foot’’ will be superseded by the ‘‘foot’’ 0.914 4 meter, exactly) and an 1893 manage training and selection. Because (formerly known as the ‘‘international definition (i.e., 1 yard = 3600/3937 the examiner selection is so foot’’), which is already in use meter, or approximately 0.914 401 83 competitive, examiners need to throughout the U.S. This notice meter). demonstrate competencies such as describes the plan, resources, training, The 1959 Federal Register notice then understanding the Baldrige Criteria, and other activities of NIST and NOAA adopted a revised value for the foot for team skills, and writing skills. The that will assist those affected by this use throughout the U.S., and identified program also needs to collect peer-based transition, and invites comments and it as the ‘‘international foot’’ to show information to understand an other information from land surveyors, that it corresponded with the foot in use examiner’s skill level in order to make engineers, Federal, State and local by the United Kingdom and other decisions on whether the examiner government officials, businesses, and countries. The notice defined this should be elevated to ‘‘senior examiner’’ any other member of the public engaged international foot as 0.304 8 meter (e.g., and therefore team leader. The blinded in or affected by surveying and mapping equal to 0.999 999 8 of the value for the data will be shared with the team leader operations. foot officially adopted in 1893). for improvement purposes, and for DATES: Comments and other information Additionally, to avoid disrupting the future assignments. must be received by December 2, 2019. surveying practices at the time, the

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notice established an interim approach such as those involving rectangular and unnecessary costs to the users, the that permitted the limited use of the plane coordinates of SPCS 83. In these States, and professionals in the historic 1893 value of the foot cases, the difference between the two surveying, mapping, and engineering exclusively in the field of geodetic definitions can also result in large fields. No compelling justification to surveys. It was identified as the ‘‘U.S. direction and position location errors, in maintain two definitions for the foot survey foot’’ with the defined value of many cases reaching tens of feet for exists. 0.304 800 61 meter (approximately). The SPCS 83 coordinates. Notice From the Director of the 1959 notice specifically stated that the Because of this situation, there has National Institute of Standards and ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ should be used been a long history of Technology Regarding the Deprecation ‘‘until such a time as it becomes misunderstandings and confusion over of the ‘‘U.S. Survey Foot’’ on December desirable and expedient to readjust the which definition of the foot was used to 31, 2022 basic geodetic survey networks in the carry out a specific land survey or civil United States, after which the ratio of a engineering project. There have been Under Article 1, Section 8 of the yard, equal to 0.914 4 meter, shall many instances where software or United States Constitution, Congress apply.’’ electronic surveying devices default to retains the power to ‘‘fix the Standard As announced in a Federal Register one or the other foot definitions, but of Weights and Measures.’’ Throughout notice published on March 24, 1977 (42 users incorrectly assume the actual unit that section, the words ‘‘uniform FR 15943), NOAA officially adopted the of measure in use. This ongoing throughout the United States’’ are used meter as the unit for length in the ambiguity has resulted in professional in conjunction with many of the other National Spatial Reference System liability by the inadvertent violation of duties and responsibilities that are (NSRS). However, U.S. surveying and State law, the introduction of systematic listed. The ‘‘fixing’’ or defining the mapping practitioners continued to use errors in surveying and engineering standards of weights and measures is the ‘‘U.S. survey foot,’’ including when projects, misreported position and intrinsic to ensure uniform they employed the NGS-defined State location, land sale and project delays, measurement across the U.S., as well as Plane Coordinates System of 1927 and boundary disputes, additional costs with the rest of the world. In 1866, 1983 (SPCS 27 and SPCS 83, associated with correcting unit Congress acted to make the metric respectively). Because the ‘‘international mistakes, and other unintended system of measurement (now known as foot’’ is the basis for all other length consequences. Because State the International System of Units (SI)) measurements and calibrations in the jurisdictions with different legal legal for use in the United States (15 U.S., it is no longer necessary to definitions of the foot share borders, U.S.C. 204). On May 20, 1875 the U.S. continue to maintain two unit values for mapping projects in these geographic signed the Meter Convention (known as the foot. zones may experience elevated error the ‘‘International Treaty of the Meter’’), risks as a surveyor transitions between which established the International Consequences for Surveying, Mapping, a State that uses the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ Bureau of Weights and Measures, an and Engineering in the United States and a State that uses the ‘‘international intergovernmental organization under Although the use of the ‘‘U.S. survey foot.’’ This risk is exacerbated when the General Conference on Weights and foot’’ was intended to be an interim professional surveyors and engineers are Measures that oversees the International measure, its use continues to be licensed to practice in multiple States Committee for Weights and Measures, prevalent in land surveying and that use different versions of the foot, which is the organization that maintains mapping in much of the U.S. Of the 50 and for large projects when the team the SI to meet the measurement needs U.S. jurisdictions that have legislated participants come from different States of the world. On April 5, 1893, the SPCS 83 (48 States plus Puerto Rico and and even different countries. In addition ‘‘Mendenhall Order,’’ issued by the U.S. Guam), the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ has been to the cost due to errors, there is the cost Coast and Geodetic Survey with the specified for SPCS 83 in 40 States, of inefficiency, since it is necessary to approval of the U.S. Secretary of the either through statute (28 States) or keep track of the foot version, which Treasury, determined that the U.S. Federal Register notices (12 States). Six increases with the size, duration, and Customary units of the yard and pound States have adopted the ‘‘international complexity of projects. would be defined in terms of the SI foot’’ for SPCS 83, while two States units of the meter and kilogram. The (plus Puerto Rico and Guam) have not Opportunity To Eliminate Confusion practice of defining the U.S. Customary formally designated the type of foot to Since the publication of the 1959 units of measurement in terms of the SI be used. It is important to note that State Federal Register notice, experience has continues today. legislation and Federal Register notices overwhelmingly revealed that national In 1988, Congress declared that the regarding the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ are uniformity cannot be ensured in this metric system was the preferred system specifically associated with SPCS 83, critical industry field when users are of measurement for trade and commerce and therefore are not applicable to the routinely confronted with two in the United States (15 U.S.C. 205b). NSRS Modernization in 2022. definitions of the foot. The best The Director of the National Institute of It is also important to note that while opportunity for eliminating the Standards and Technology is authorized the difference between the two redundancy in values for the foot will by statute ‘‘to develop, maintain, and definitions is 2 parts per million, this occur with the NOAA program to retain custody of the national standards small discrepancy accumulates over modernize the NSRS in 2022. of measurement, and provide the means large distances and can result in The only practical solution is to and methods for making measurements significant errors in surveying and civil deprecate the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ and to consistent with those standards’’ (15 engineering projects, regardless of the require that its use in surveying, U.S.C. 272(b)(2)), ‘‘to assure the size of the project. For example, when mapping, and engineering be compatibility of United States national a one-mile distance is surveyed, the discontinued. Allowing the continued measurement standards with those of difference is approximately 0.01 ft or use of two definitions of the foot other nations’’ (15 U.S.C. 272(b)(9)), and 0.12 in. However, the impact becomes undercuts the value and benefit of to ‘‘cooperate with the States in securing substantial when longer distance national uniformity, and allows for uniformity in weights and measures measurements or conversions are made, additional opportunities for confusion laws’’ (15 U.S.C. 272(c)(4)). Under this

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authority, the SI is interpreted or date. The notice also prescribes the new also be avoided after December 31, 2022 modified by the Director of NIST for use unit of measurement that will be and which will be retained for historical in the United States. The SI is used accepted for use. The notice period purposes but will be deemed obsolete. exclusively to define, establish, and allows users time to make the necessary After December 31, 2022, any data maintain the U.S. national standards of changes to their measuring practices, derived from or published as a result of measurement and in securing processes, procedures, and devices. The surveying, mapping, or any other uniformity of their use in the laws of the notice period also provides an activity within the U.S. that is expressed States. opportunity for education and training in terms of feet shall only be based on ‘‘Deprecation’’ is a term widely used for all of those involved in the the ‘‘foot’’ equal to 0.304 8 meter in the field of legal metrology and other changeover and the identification of (exactly), formerly known as the measurement science fields of study. It unforeseen issues so that appropriate ‘‘international foot’’ in the 1959 Federal describes a decision to discontinue the preventive actions, exceptions, or Register notice. use of a specific measurement unit or additional requirements can be method of sale. A unit of measurement developed and implemented. After the Likewise, other measures previously (e.g., the foot or gallon) though legal, notice period ends, the deprecated based only on the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ may be prohibited from being used in a measurement unit is deemed obsolete, will be defined using the foot equal to specific commercial application if, for its use is to be avoided, and it is 0.304 8 meter (exactly) after December example, it has been identified as being retained for historical purposes and 31, 2022. These measures are the redundant or a source of confusion, or legacy applications only. ‘‘chain,’’ ‘‘link,’’ ‘‘rod’’ (also ‘‘pole’’ or if it could frustrate the ability of users ‘‘perch’’), ‘‘furlong,’’ and ‘‘fathom’’ for to make quantity and value Deprecation of the Survey Foot, Survey length, and the ‘‘acre’’ for area. Decimal comparisons. For example, gasoline and Mile, and Other Measures Derived SI equivalents for these measures are other engine fuels are permitted to be From the Survey Foot given in Table 1 for both the ‘‘U.S. sold from a retail service station by the On December 31, 2022, the 1893 ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ (approximate) and the gallon but may not be sold by the fluid survey foot,’’ as defined in a 1959 ‘‘foot’’ (exact). For these measures, the pint or fluid ounce. As the situation Federal Register notice (24 FR 5348, difference between the two types of feet with multiple definitions for the foot June 30, 1959), will be deprecated as a is usually of no practical consequence. illustrates, measurement unit uniformity U.S. national standard of measurement For example, the greatest precision is only possible when a single and its use is to be avoided. The 1893 typically used for the chain in modern measurement unit definition is used for definition of the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ will land surveying practice is three decimal a specific application (e.g., land be retained for historic reference but places (or 0.1 link), and at that level of surveying). will be deemed obsolete. This notice significance both versions of the foot The deprecation process begins with also applies to the ‘‘U.S. survey mile’’ give the same value. Similarly, the a notice to users that a unit of measure (equal to approximately 1609.347 difference in area for 1 acre is only is to be deprecated and that use of the meters), which is based on the ‘‘U.S. 0.000 004 acre (0.17 ft2) for the two foot unit is to be avoided after a specific survey foot,’’ the use of which should versions.

TABLE 1—APPROXIMATE DECIMAL SI EQUIVALENTS FOR MEASURES COMMONLY GIVEN IN ‘‘U.S. SURVEY FEET’’ AND EXACT EQUIVALENTS FOR THE ‘‘FOOT’’ THAT WILL BE ADOPTED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2022 IN NIST SP 811, THE NIST GUIDE FOR THE USE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS

‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ ‘‘foot’’ Unit of measure based on feet Type of quantity (approximate) (exact)

foot (ft) ...... length ...... 0.304 800 6 . . . m ...... 0.304 8 m mile (mi) ...... length ...... 1609.347 . . . m ...... 1609.344 m chain (ch) ...... length ...... 20.116 84 . . . m ...... 20.116 8 m link (li) ...... length ...... 0.201 168 4 . . . m ...... 0.201 168 m rod (rd), pole, perch ...... length ...... 5.029 21 . . . m ...... 5.029 2 m furlong (fur) ...... length ...... 201.168 4 . . . m ...... 201.168 m fathom ...... length ...... 1.828 804 . . . m ...... 1.828 8 m acre (ac) ...... area ...... 4046.872 609 9 . .. m2 ...... 4046.856 422 4 m2

In keeping with the terms of this Comments and Future Action education and training for all of those notice, the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ will no involved in the changeover. After the The Director of NIST and the Director public comments are evaluated, any longer be supported by NOAA in the of the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) unforeseen issues identified, and modernized NSRS after 2022, including solicit comments and suggestions from the State Plane Coordinate System of land surveyors, engineers, Federal, State appropriate solutions developed, a 2022 (SPCS2022), elevations, and all and local officials, equipment second Federal Register notice other components of the system. manufacturers, and the public at large addressing those issues will be However, the ‘‘U.S. survey foot’’ will be who are engaged in or affected by published and publicly announced in permanently maintained in NOAA surveying and mapping operations for other media as appropriate before June products and services for legacy ways that the two agencies can help 30, 2020. applications, for example the facilitate an orderly transition to a single This action is being taken in computation of SPCS coordinates in definition for the foot. Throughout the conjunction with the NGS program to States where it was specified for SPCS notice period, NGS and the NIST Office improve the National Spatial Reference 83, and for all zones of SPCS 27. of Weights and Measures will work System (NSRS), as described at https:// together to provide opportunities for geodesy.noaa.gov/datums/newdatums/

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index.shtml. In 2022, NGS will replace who are knowledgeable about the must be postmarked or emailed no later the North American Datum of 1983 commercial space-based remote sensing than 30 days from the publication date (NAD 83) and the North American industry and uses of space-based remote of this notice. The full text of the Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) with sensing data to serve on the Advisory Committee Charter and its current new geometric reference frames and a Committee on Commercial Remote membership can be viewed at the geopotential datum. The new reference Sensing (ACCRES). The Committee is Agency’s web page at: http:// frames and datum will rely primarily on comprised of leaders in the commercial www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/ Global Navigation Satellite Systems space-based remote sensing industry, accresHome.html. (GNSS), such as the Global Positioning space-based remote sensing data users, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: System (GPS), as well as on a government, and academia. The Tashaun Pierre, Commercial Remote gravimetric geoid model resulting from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of Sensing Regulatory Affairs Office, the NGS Gravity for the Redefinition of this notice provides committee and NOAA Satellite and Information the American Vertical Datum (GRAV–D) membership criteria. Services, 1335 East West Highway, Project. These new reference frames and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACCRES Room G101, Silver Spring, Maryland datum will be easier to access and was established by the Secretary of 20910; telephone (301) 713–7077, email maintain than NAD 83 and NAVD 88, Commerce on May 21, 2002, to advise [email protected]. which rely on physical survey marks the Secretary, through the Under that deteriorate over time. Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Stephen M. Volz, On April 18, 2018, NGS issued a draft Atmosphere, on matters relating to the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Federal Register notice (83 FR 17149) U.S. commercial remote sensing Information Services. for public comment on draft policy and industry and NOAA’s activities to carry [FR Doc. 2019–22660 Filed 10–16–19; 8:45 am] procedures for the State Plane out responsibilities of the Department of BILLING CODE 3510–HR–P Coordinate System of 2022 (SPCS2022), Commerce as set forth in the National which will be referenced to the 2022 and Commercial Space Programs Act of reference frames. In those draft 2010 (the Act), Title 51 U.S.C. 60101 et DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE documents, it was specified that seq (formerly the Land Remote Sensing SPCS2022 parameters will be Policy Act of 1992, 15 U.S.C. Secs. Office of the Secretary exclusively defined using metric (SI) 5621–5625). values. However, in addition to metric Defense Health Board; Notice of Committee members serve in a values, the documents stated that output Federal Advisory Committee Meeting representative capacity for a term of two coordinates could also optionally be years and may serve additional terms, if AGENCY: provided in either ‘‘international’’ or Under Secretary of Defense for reappointed. No more than 20 ‘‘U.S. survey feet,’’ and that by default Personnel and Readiness, Department of individuals at a time may serve on the the type of foot would be the same as Defense (DoD). Committee. ACCRES will have a fairly currently used for SPCS 83. The official ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory balanced membership consisting of version of SPCS2022 Policy, effective Committee meeting. approximately 9 to 20 members. April 23, 2019 (https:// Nominations are encouraged from all SUMMARY: The DoD is publishing this geodesy.noaa.gov/INFO/Policy/files/ interested U.S. persons and notice to announce that the following SPCS2022_Policy_NGS_2019-1214- organizations representing interests Federal Advisory Committee meeting of 01.pdf), states that NGS has not yet affected by the regulation of remote the Defense Health Board will take determined whether or what type of foot sensing. Nominees must represent place. will be supported for output coordinates stakeholders in remote sensing, space (Section II.E.1). The policy will be DATES: Open to the public Monday, commerce, space policy, or a related updated after NIST and NOAA co-issue November 4, 2019 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 field and be able to attend committee a Federal Register notice by June 30, p.m. meetings that are held usually two times 2020, announcing adoption of the ‘‘foot’’ ADDRESSES: The address of the open per year. Membership is voluntary, and equal to 0.304 8 meter (exactly) as the meeting is Madigan Army Medical service is without pay. Each nomination official definition for all applications in Center, 9040 Jackson Ave., Cahill that is submitted should include the the U.S. after December 31, 2022. Conference Room 2–68–4, Tacoma, WA proposed committee member’s name 98431. Registration is required. (Pre- Kevin A. Kimball, and organizational affiliation, a brief meeting screening for base access and description of the nominee’s Chief of Staff. registration required. See guidance in qualifications and interest in serving on [FR Doc. 2019–22414 Filed 10–16–19; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, ‘‘meeting the Committee, a curriculum vitae or BILLING CODE 3510–13–P Accessibility.’’) resume of the nominee, and no more than three supporting letters describing FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the nominee’s qualifications and Captain Gregory Gorman, Medical interest in serving on the Committee. Corps, U.S. Navy, (703) 275–6060 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Self-nominations are acceptable. The (Voice), (703) 275–6064 (Facsimile), Administration following contact information should [email protected] (Email). accompany each submission: The Mailing address is 7700 Arlington Notice Requesting Nominations for the nominee’s name, address, phone Boulevard, Suite 5101, Falls Church, Advisory Committee on Commercial number, and email address. Virginia 22042. Website: http:// Remote Sensing (ACCRES) Nominations should be sent to Tahara www.health.mil/dhb. The most up-to- date changes to the meeting agenda can ACTION: Request for membership Dawkins, Director, Commercial Remote be found on the website. nominations. Sensing Regulatory Affairs Office, 1335 East West Highway, G–101, Silver SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce Spring, Maryland 20910 or email meeting is being held under the is seeking highly qualified individuals [email protected]. Nominations provisions of the Federal Advisory

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