Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting, 11616-11617 [05-4542]

Download as PDF 11616 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 45 / Wednesday, March 9, 2005 / Notices completed, OCRM will place a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Final Evaluation Findings. Notice is hereby given of the availability of the final evaluation findings for the Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin Coastal Management Programs (CMPs); and the Waquoit Bay (Massachusetts) National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). Sections 312 and 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), as amended, require a continuing review of the performance of coastal states with respect to approval of CMPs and the operation and management of NERRs. The States of Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin were found to be implementing and enforcing their federally approved coastal management programs, addressing the national coastal management objectives identified in CZMA Section 303(2)(A)– (K), and adhering to the programmatic terms of their financial assistance awards. Waquoit Bay (Massachusetts) NERR was found to be adhering to programmatic requirements of the NERR System. Copies of these final evaluation findings may be obtained upon written request from: Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, or Ralph.Cantral@noaa.gov, (301) 713– 3155, extension 118. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 EastWest Highway, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, (301) 713– 3155, extension 118. Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419, Coastal Zone Management Program Administration. Dated: February 24, 2005. Eldon Hout, Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. [FR Doc. 05–4540 Filed 3–8–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P VerDate jul<14>2003 20:21 Mar 08, 2005 Jkt 205001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 020705E] Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocket Launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a 1–year letter of authorization (LOA) has been issued to the 30th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force to harass seals and sea lions incidental to rocket and missile launches on Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. DATES: March 4, 2005, through March 3, 2006 ADDRESSES: The letter of authorization and supporting documentation are available for review during regular business hours in the following offices: Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, and the Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713–2289, or Monica DeAngelis, NMFS, (562) 980–4023. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs NMFS to allow, on request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ‘‘taking’’ means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt, capture or kill marine mammals. Permission may be granted for periods up to 5 years if NMFS finds, after notification and opportunity for public comment, that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses. In addition, NMFS must prescribe PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 regulations that include permissible methods of taking and other means effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species and its habitat and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance. The regulations must include requirements for monitoring and reporting of such taking. Regulations governing the taking of seals and sea lions by harassment incidental to missile and rocket launches, aircraft flight test operations, and helicopter operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA were published on February 06, 2004 (69 FR 5720), and remain in effect until February 06, 2009. Issuance of this letter of authorization is based on a finding, made in the final rulemaking, that the total taking will have no more than a negligible impact on the seal and sea lion populations off the Vandenberg coast and on the Northern Channel Islands. Dated: March 4, 2005. Donna Wieting, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–4620 Filed 3–8–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) was established by the Secretary of Commerce to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on matters related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, its amendments, and such other appropriate matters that the Under Secretary refers to the Panel for review and advice. Date and Time: The meeting will be held Thursday, March 31, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, April 1, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, One Market Place, San Diego, California 92101; telephone: 619– 232–1234. The times and agenda topics are subject to change. Refer to the Web E:\FR\FM\09MRN1.SGM 09MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 45 / Wednesday, March 9, 2005 / Notices site listed below for the most up-to-date meeting agenda. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain Roger Parsons, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, NOAA (N/CS), 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; Telephone: 301–713–2770, Fax: 301–713–4019; email: Hydroservices.panel@noaa.gov or visit the NOAA HSRP Web site at https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ocs/ hsrp/hsrp.htm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting will be open to public participation for verbal comments and questions at the end of the day on April 1, 2005, with a 30-minute period that will be extended if needed. Each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Written comments (at least 30 copies) should be submitted to the DFO by March 25, 2005. Written comments received by the HSRP DFO after March 25, 2005, will be distributed to the HSRP, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Approximately 40 seats will be available for the public, on a first-come, firstserved basis. Matters To Be Considered: Topics planned for discussion include: (1) FY 06 President’s Budget (Navigation Services), (2) NOAA Mapping and Charting Outsourcing Strategies, (3) Hydrographic Survey (NOAA) and Private Sector) Cost Analysis Study Proposal, (4) Update on HSRP Congressional Fact-finding Visits, (5) U.S. Ocean Action Plan and NOAA’s Hydrographic Services, (6) HSRP Workgroups—Assignments and Deliverables, (7) Endorsement of NOAA’s Navigation Services Programs’ Operating Principles, and (8) Public Statements. Dated: March 3, 2005. Captain Roger L. Parsons, NOAA, Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 05–4542 Filed 3–8–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–JE–M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Notice of Availability of the Final Reserve Operations Plan for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: VerDate jul<14>2003 18:06 Mar 08, 2005 Jkt 205001 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces the availability of the Final Reserve Operations Plan for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve). The Reserve Operations Plan (ROP) is a requirement of Executive Order 13178, as finalized by Executive Order 13196 (hereinafter collectively referred to as Executive Order or EO). The ROP was presented to the public on two separate occasions in 2002 and 2004, and over 30,000 public comments resulted from both open public comment periods. The most recent public comment period for the ROP opened on March 19, 2004 and ended on May 15, 2004. Approximately 29,400 public comments were received during this period, with about 27,000 arriving by e-mail and the remainder by letter and fax. In addition, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council provided both general and specific comments on the draft final ROP as did the Marine Mammal Commission, Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council and a group of 13 local and national conservation organizations, claiming to represent over 3.4 million members. A similar letter was also received from a group of 10 conservation organizations (many of the same as above), collectively representing more than 2.7 million members. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ’Aulani Wilhelm, (808) 397–2660, nwhi@noaa.gov. ADDRESSES: Requests for a copy of the ROP can be mailed to NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, 6600 Kalanianaole Highway, #300, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825; faxed to (808) 397–2662; or emailed to nwhi@noaa.gov. The ROP can also be downloaded at https:// www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve) was established by Executive Orders 13178 and 13196. Pursuant to the EO, NOAA prepared a draft Reserve Operations Plan that was issued for public review in February 2002 (67 FR 11998), which provided a guide for management of the Reserve during a process that will consider the marine environment of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for designation as a National Marine Sanctuary. Significant public comment was received on the first draft, and the NMSP considered the public comment PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 11617 and worked with the Reserve Advisory Council to produce a second draft Reserve Operations Plan. A second public review period was conducted from March 19 through May 15, 2004 and over 29,000 comments were received. Comments and Responses From all of the public comments received, a number of comments pointed out technical inaccuracies and/ or suggested additional clarifying information as improvements to the ROP. Such comments were incorporated into the final document, either verbatim as suggested, or addressed by explanation. An example of a comment received and accepted which addressed a technical inaccuracy was ‘‘The correct Latin name for killer whale is ‘Orcinus’ and should replace ‘Orsinus’ ’’. Substantive comments to the ROP are generally described below, with NOAA’s responses. 1. Comment: NOAA should, through the Department of Commerce, carry out formal regulations for the Executive Orders that would be enforceable within the Reserve. Response: The NMSP will not pursue the issuance of any additional regulations for the Reserve. The NMSP’s priority is to finalize the ROP and focus on the sanctuary designation process, which will include the development of regulations for the preferred alternative, rather than undertake a resourceintensive, concurrent process to issue regulations for the Reserve. 2. Comment: The ROP should include a penalty schedule for violation of all Reserve prohibitions. Response: The National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000 does not contain a specific provision for assessing penalties. As such, the National Marine Sanctuary Program has determined that the ROP will not include a schedule of penalties for the Reserve. Remedies applicable to violations will depend on the circumstances of the particular case. 3. Comment: The ROP fails to provide specific plans and actions on how to recover endangered and threatened species within the Reserve. Response: Actions needed for the recovery of species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, are addressed in formal Recovery Plans. Recovery Plans for most terrestrial species are written and carried out under the authority of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Similarly, Recovery Plans for most species of marine mammals are prepared and E:\FR\FM\09MRN1.SGM 09MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11616-11617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4542]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting

AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) was established 
by the Secretary of Commerce to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce 
for Oceans and Atmosphere on matters related to the responsibilities 
and authorities set forth in section 303 of the Hydrographic Services 
Improvement Act of 1998, its amendments, and such other appropriate 
matters that the Under Secretary refers to the Panel for review and 
advice.
    Date and Time: The meeting will be held Thursday, March 31, 2005, 
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, April 1, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 
5 p.m.
    Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, One Market Place, San 
Diego, California 92101; telephone: 619-232-1234. The times and agenda 
topics are subject to change. Refer to the Web

[[Page 11617]]

site listed below for the most up-to-date meeting agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain Roger Parsons, Designated 
Federal Official (DFO), Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, 
NOAA (N/CS), 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; 
Telephone: 301-713-2770, Fax: 301-713-4019; e-mail: 
Hydroservices.panel@noaa.gov or visit the NOAA HSRP Web site at https://
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ocs/hsrp/hsrp.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting will be open to public 
participation for verbal comments and questions at the end of the day 
on April 1, 2005, with a 30-minute period that will be extended if 
needed. Each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be 
limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Written comments (at least 
30 copies) should be submitted to the DFO by March 25, 2005. Written 
comments received by the HSRP DFO after March 25, 2005, will be 
distributed to the HSRP, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting 
date. Approximately 40 seats will be available for the public, on a 
first-come, first-served basis.
    Matters To Be Considered: Topics planned for discussion include: 
(1) FY 06 President's Budget (Navigation Services), (2) NOAA Mapping 
and Charting Outsourcing Strategies, (3) Hydrographic Survey (NOAA) and 
Private Sector) Cost Analysis Study Proposal, (4) Update on HSRP 
Congressional Fact-finding Visits, (5) U.S. Ocean Action Plan and 
NOAA's Hydrographic Services, (6) HSRP Workgroups--Assignments and 
Deliverables, (7) Endorsement of NOAA's Navigation Services Programs' 
Operating Principles, and (8) Public Statements.

    Dated: March 3, 2005.
Captain Roger L. Parsons,
NOAA, Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-4542 Filed 3-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-M

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