The State Department Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) on Dec. 6 posted Specially Designed (here), Order of Review (here), and Part 130 (here) decisions tree tools to help exporters navigate Export Control Reform implementation. The first ECR rule transferred items from the U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List on Oct. 15 (see 13101618). The decision tree tools are not binding, nor are they a substitute for a Commodity Jurisdiction, said DDTC.

The State Department Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation said it will impose additional sanctions on Syria as a result of the U.S. determination that the country used chemical weapons on its own citizens. The sanctions include a prohibition on exporting goods and technology, other than food and other agricultural products to Syria, and air travel to and from the U.S. through carriers owned or controlled by Syria. The sanctions are "partially waived with respect to activities in furtherance of United State policies regarding the Syrian conflict," it said. The sanctions will remain in place for at least a year or until further notice, it said.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued the following name and address changes on Dec. 5:

The State Department issued on Nov. 19 a presidential permit for Kinder Morgan Cochin, LLC to connect, operate, and maintain existing pipeline facilities at the U.S.-Canadian border in Renville County, North Dakota, as a common carrier for the transport of light liquid hydrocarbons between the U.S. and Canada. Those interested in obtaining additional information should contact State official Michael Brennan at (202) 647-7553 or the State Office of Europe, Western Hemisphere and Africa, Bureau of Energy Resources, at 2201 C St. NW, Ste. 4843, Washington DC 20520.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued a name change notification on Dec. 4:

The State Department and office of the U.S. Trade Representative notified the public that the U.S. and Colombia intend to hold partially open inaugural meetings of the bilateral Environmental Affairs Council and the Environmental Cooperation Commission Dec. 19 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the State Department. The agencies will also hold a closed meeting on Dec. 18. The meetings aim to review the implementation of an environment chapter in the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) and the United States-Colombia Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA). Those interested in obtaining further information, including methods of public comment, should contact State official Rachel Kastenberg, at (202) 736-7111 or USTR official Sarah Stewart, at (202) 395-3858.

The State Department International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will host a public meeting Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. to review the preparations for and outcomes of international telecommunications meetings of the International Telecommunication Union, the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information Working Group over the last quarter, and announce preparations for similar activities for the next quarter. Details of the meeting location will be provided via the ITAC email list, ITAC@lmlist.state.gov. Subscription of the list is open to the public. To subscribe, contact minardje@state.gov. The Dec. 19 meeting is open to the public until capacity is reached. The public will also have an opportunity to provide comment.

The State Department issued an administrative debarment of LeAnne Lesmeister Nov. 25, prohibiting direct or indirect involvement in any International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) activities. State charged Lesmeister July 15 with 21 violations in connection with the creation and use of export control documents containing false statements or omitting and misrepresenting material facts for the purpose of exporting, retransferring, or furnishing defense articles, technical data, or defense services, and causing the unauthorized export of technical data and provision of defense services, all in violation of the Arms Export Control Act under ITAR. Lesmeister committed the alleged violations as an export compliance officer at Honeywell International, Inc. State debarred Lesmeister for three years, until Nov. 25, 2016. State will not automatically reinstate Lesmeister following that date.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued the following address change Nov. 26:

The State Department Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has corrected the DTrade v3.0.1 DSP-73 form to accept zip codes that start with 9, said DDTC. The change has resulted in version 8.1 of the DSP-73 form and no prior versions will be accepted.