Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Marine Mammal Protection Act, Draft Conservation Plan for the Cook Inlet Stock of Beluga Whales, 12853-12854 [05-5224]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 16, 2005 / Notices
We are issuing and publishing this
determination and notice in accordance
with sections 751(a)(1), 751(h), and
777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 C.F.R.
351.224(f).
Dated: March 9, 2005.
Barbara E. Tillman,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E5–1160 Filed 3–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Science Advisory Board
Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The NOAA Science Advisory
Board (SAB) was established by a
Decision Memorandum dated
September 25, 1997, and is the only
Federal Advisory Committee with
responsibility to advise the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere on long- and short-range
strategies for research, education, and
application of science to resource
management and environmental
assessment and prediction. SAB
activities and advice provide necessary
input to ensure that science programs
are of the highest quality and provide
optimal support the NOAA mission.
Time and Date: The meeting will be
held Tuesday, March 22, 2005, from
10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Wednesday,
March 23, 2005, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
These times and the agenda topics
described below may be subject to
change. Refer to the Web page listed
below for the most up-to-date meeting
agenda.
Place: The meeting will be held both
days in the Staff Auditorium at the
National Geographic Society
Headquarters, 1145 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC.
Status: The meeting will be open to
public participation with a 30-minute
time period set aside on Wednesday,
March 23, 2005, for direct oral
statements or questions from the public.
The SAB expects that public statements
presented at its meetings will not be
repetitive of previously submitted oral
or written statements. In general, each
individual or group making an oral
presentation will be limited to a total
time of five (5) minutes. Approximately
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16:45 Mar 15, 2005
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thirty (30) seats will be available for the
public including five (5) seats reserved
for the media. Seats will be available on
a first-come, first-served basis.
Matters to be Considered: The
meeting will include the following
topics: (1) Status of NOAA Responses to
SAB Actions and Recommendations
Overview of NOAA Response to SAB/
Research Review Team Report; (2)
Review NOAA’s Draft Policy to
Formalize the Transition of Research to
Operations and Information Services; (3)
Progress Reports: External Ecosystem
Task Team and the Physical and Social
Science Task Team; (4) Draft NOAA
Cooperative Institute Policy; (5) Report
on the Review of the National Sea Grant
College Extension Program and a Call
for Greater National Commitment to
Engagement; (6) Administration
Response to Ocean Commission Report;
(7) NOAA’s plans for the International
Polar Year (IPY); (8) Briefing on the
Integrated Surface Observing System
(ISOS) Working Group; (9) Transitioning
from the Integrated Ocean Observing
System, NPOESS, GOES-R, NEXRAD,
etc. to Integrated Earth Observing
System (IEOS); (10) NOAA Role in
Implementing the President’s Executive
Order on the Great Lakes; (11) Overview
of Predictions/Monitoring of 2004
Hurricanes (12) Tsunamis—Research
and Observations; (13) Global Earth
Observing Systems of Systems (GEOSS)
Update; (14) 2006–2011 Strategic
planning; (15) public statements.
Dr.
Michael Uhart, Executive Director,
Science Advisory Board, NOAA, Rm.
11142, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20910. (Phone: 301–
713–9121, Fax: 301–713–3515, e-mail:
Michael.Uhart@noaa.gov); or visit the
NOAA SAB Web site at https://
www.sab.noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dated: March 10, 2005.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 05–5118 Filed 3–15–05; 8:45 am]
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12853
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 031105D]
Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Marine
Mammal Protection Act, Draft
Conservation Plan for the Cook Inlet
Stock of Beluga Whales
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for written comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, as
amended, requires the Secretary of
Commerce to prepare a conservation
plan for any species or stock designated
as depleted under that Act. The Cook
Inlet stock of beluga whales was
designated as depleted on May 31, 2000,
and this Conservation Plan is being
written to promote the conservation and
recovery of these whales. The goal of
this Conservation Plan (Plan) will be
met when the Cook Inlet stock of beluga
whales are no longer considered
depleted under the MMPA.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received by May 16, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft
Conservation Plan may be reviewed
and/or copied at the NMFS, Protected
Resources Division, 222 W. 7th Ave.,
ι43, Anchorage, AK, 99513; or at the
Alaska Regional Office, Protected
Resources Division, 709 W. 9th St., P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802. The draft
Conservation Plan is available on the
Internet at the following address: http:/
/www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/
whales/beluga.htm. Comments on the
Draft Conservation Plan should be sent
to the above addresses, or can be
electronically forwarded to the
following e-mail address:
Records.Fakr@noaa.gov. Please identify
electronic comments with the header:
Beluga Whale Conservation Plan.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kaja
Brix, NOAA/NMFS, Alaska Region,
(907) 586 7235, or Brad Smith, NOAA/
NMFS, Alaska Region, Anchorage Field
Office, (907) 271 5006.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cook
Inlet beluga whale stock declined by
greater than 50 percent during the last
decade. In response to this significant
decline, NMFS designated the Cook
Inlet stock of beluga whales as depleted
under the MMPA on May 31, 2000 (65
FR 34590). Subsequent surveys
conducted between 1999 and 2004 have
E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM
16MRN1
12854
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 50 / Wednesday, March 16, 2005 / Notices
resulted in abundance estimates ranging
from 313 to 435, with no clear trend.
Since 1999 the subsistence harvest of
this stock has been significantly
restricted as compared to previous years
(down to 0–2 whales annually).
However, the population has not shown
any significant response as was
expected following the restriction on the
number of animals taken in the
subsistence harvest.
This draft Plan delineates reasonable
actions necessary to protect the depleted
Cook Inlet beluga whales under the
MMPA. The conservation strategy
outlined in the Plan is meant to guide
Federal and other actions toward the
goal of recovering the Cook Inlet beluga
whales.
The Plan provides a description of the
biology and life history of the Cook Inlet
stock of beluga whales, a description of
the population trends in recent decades
and their current depleted status under
the MMPA, and management goals and
objectives for recovery of the stock. The
Plan also outlines known and possible
factors that may be influencing the stock
including natural factors such as
stranding events, predation, disease and
environmental change, and humaninduced factors that may be, or have
been in recent years, influencing trends
in the abundance of this stock. These
human-induced factors include the
subsistence harvest, commercial fishing
and its potential to influence prey
availability, pollution in the inlet, vessel
traffic, noise, oil and gas development
and possible effects from research
activities.
The Plan outlines a conservation
strategy that addresses each of the
natural and human-induced factors that
may be influencing the recovery of the
stock. It also outlines a monitoring
strategy for future subsistence harvests
and the development and use of beluga
whale habitat in Cook Inlet, and a
research plan as part of the monitoring
and recovery strategy. The
recommended conservation actions are
developed for each known factor that
may be influencing the stock, and
linked to the applicable research
recommendations.
Public and Agency Involvement: The
goals and objectives of the draft Plan
can be achieved only if a long-term
commitment is made to support the
respective actions recommended herein.
The shared resources and cooperative
involvement of federal, state, and local
governments, industry, academia, nongovernmental organizations, Alaska
Natives, and other invested individuals
will be required throughout the recovery
period.
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:45 Mar 15, 2005
Jkt 205001
NMFS is soliciting comments on the
draft Plan with this notice. Comments
can be forwarded to [see ADDRESSES].
Dated: March 11, 2005.
Donna S. Wieting
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–5224 Filed 3–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for a Permit Application for the
Proposed Timber Branch Subdivision
Phase II, Near Covington, St. Tammany
Parish, LA
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Office of the Actuary; Notice of a
Meeting
AGENCY:
Department of Defense.
Notice of meeting; DoD
Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care
Board of Actuaries.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: A meeting of the Board has
been scheduled to execute the
provisions of Chapter 56, Title 10,
United States Code (10 U.S.C. 1114 et.
seq.). The Board shall review DoD
actuarial methods and assumptions to
be used in the valuation of benefits
under DoD retiree health care programs
for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.
Persons desiring to: (1) Attend the DoD
Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care
Board of Actuaries meeting, or (2) make
an oral presentation or submit a written
statement for consideration at the
meeting, must notify Bill Klunk at 703–
696–7404 by May 10, 2005. Notice of
this meeting is required under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act.
DATES:
June 3, 2005, 1:30 p.m.–5 p.m.
4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite
270, Arlington, VA 22203.
ADDRESSES:
Bill
Klunk, DoD Office of the Actuary, 4040
N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 308, Arlington,
VA 22203, (703) 696–7404.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dated: March 10, 2005.
Jeannette Owings-Ballard,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer,
Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 05–5220 Filed 3–15–05; 8:45 am]
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, New Orleans District, is
initiating the preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement under
the National Environmental Policy Act
in compliance with a judicial order. The
Environmental Impact Statement is for a
Department of the Army permit issued
under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act to install the infrastructure
necessary to implement an
approximately 82-acre residential
development to provide single and
multi-family residential lots in the
vicinity of LA Hwy 1085 and Bricker
Road, near Covington, Louisiana, some
of the property containing regulated
wetlands. The permit was subsequently
enjoined by the United States District
Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Information obtained from preparation
of this EIS will be utilized in the reevaluation of the enjoined permit
decision.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions concerning the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
should be addressed to Mr. Brian
Breaux at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
OD–S, P.O. Box 60267, New Orleans,
LA 70160–0267, phone (504) 862–1938,
fax number (504) 862–2117 or by E-mail
at
brian.w.breaux@mvn02.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action. The proposed
action would include land-clearing,
excavation, and deposition of fill
material for site preparation and
construction of drainage, utility and
roadway infrastructure. Single-family
and multi-family residential lots would
then be offered for public sale. The
approximately 82-acre project site
grades through ridge and swale
hardwood, mixed pine-hardwood/
hardwood flats, pine flatwood, and pine
savannah community types. Of the 82acre development, 38.9 acres of pine
flatwood/pine savannah wetlands
would be directly affected by
development.
E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12853-12854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5224]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 031105D]
Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Marine Mammal Protection Act, Draft
Conservation Plan for the Cook Inlet Stock of Beluga Whales
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for written comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, as amended,
requires the Secretary of Commerce to prepare a conservation plan for
any species or stock designated as depleted under that Act. The Cook
Inlet stock of beluga whales was designated as depleted on May 31,
2000, and this Conservation Plan is being written to promote the
conservation and recovery of these whales. The goal of this
Conservation Plan (Plan) will be met when the Cook Inlet stock of
beluga whales are no longer considered depleted under the MMPA.
DATES: Comments and information must be received by May 16, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft Conservation Plan may be reviewed and/or
copied at the NMFS, Protected Resources Division, 222 W. 7\th\ Ave.,
43, Anchorage, AK, 99513; or at the Alaska Regional Office,
Protected Resources Division, 709 W. 9\th\ St., P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802. The draft Conservation Plan is available on the Internet at
the following address: https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/
whales/beluga.htm. Comments on the Draft Conservation Plan should be
sent to the above addresses, or can be electronically forwarded to the
following e-mail address: Records.Fakr@noaa.gov. Please identify
electronic comments with the header: Beluga Whale Conservation Plan.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kaja Brix, NOAA/NMFS, Alaska Region,
(907) 586 7235, or Brad Smith, NOAA/NMFS, Alaska Region, Anchorage
Field Office, (907) 271 5006.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cook Inlet beluga whale stock declined
by greater than 50 percent during the last decade. In response to this
significant decline, NMFS designated the Cook Inlet stock of beluga
whales as depleted under the MMPA on May 31, 2000 (65 FR 34590).
Subsequent surveys conducted between 1999 and 2004 have
[[Page 12854]]
resulted in abundance estimates ranging from 313 to 435, with no clear
trend. Since 1999 the subsistence harvest of this stock has been
significantly restricted as compared to previous years (down to 0-2
whales annually). However, the population has not shown any significant
response as was expected following the restriction on the number of
animals taken in the subsistence harvest.
This draft Plan delineates reasonable actions necessary to protect
the depleted Cook Inlet beluga whales under the MMPA. The conservation
strategy outlined in the Plan is meant to guide Federal and other
actions toward the goal of recovering the Cook Inlet beluga whales.
The Plan provides a description of the biology and life history of
the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales, a description of the population
trends in recent decades and their current depleted status under the
MMPA, and management goals and objectives for recovery of the stock.
The Plan also outlines known and possible factors that may be
influencing the stock including natural factors such as stranding
events, predation, disease and environmental change, and human-induced
factors that may be, or have been in recent years, influencing trends
in the abundance of this stock. These human-induced factors include the
subsistence harvest, commercial fishing and its potential to influence
prey availability, pollution in the inlet, vessel traffic, noise, oil
and gas development and possible effects from research activities.
The Plan outlines a conservation strategy that addresses each of
the natural and human-induced factors that may be influencing the
recovery of the stock. It also outlines a monitoring strategy for
future subsistence harvests and the development and use of beluga whale
habitat in Cook Inlet, and a research plan as part of the monitoring
and recovery strategy. The recommended conservation actions are
developed for each known factor that may be influencing the stock, and
linked to the applicable research recommendations.
Public and Agency Involvement: The goals and objectives of the
draft Plan can be achieved only if a long-term commitment is made to
support the respective actions recommended herein. The shared resources
and cooperative involvement of federal, state, and local governments,
industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, Alaska Natives, and
other invested individuals will be required throughout the recovery
period.
NMFS is soliciting comments on the draft Plan with this notice.
Comments can be forwarded to [see ADDRESSES].
Dated: March 11, 2005.
Donna S. Wieting
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5224 Filed 3-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S