Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information, 44913-44914 [05-15459]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Notices
modification of critical habitat. A copy
of the Biological Opinion is available
upon request (see ADDRESSES). On
March 23, 2005, the USFWS determined
that the proposed survey would not
adversely affect sea otters or other
species under its jurisdiction.
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA)
The NSF has made a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI)
determination based on information
contained within its EA that
implementation of the subject action is
not a major Federal action having
significant effects on the environment
within the meaning of NEPA. NSF
determined, therefore, that an
environmental impact statement would
not be prepared. On March 21, 2005 (70
FR 13466), NMFS noted that the NSF
had prepared an EA for the Aleutian
Island surveys and made this EA was
available upon request. In accordance
with NOAA Administrative Order 216–
6 (Environmental Review Procedures for
Implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act, May 20,
1999), NMFS has reviewed the
information contained in NSF’s EA and
determined that the NSF EA accurately
and completely describes the proposed
action alternative, and the potential
impacts on marine mammals,
endangered species, and other marine
life that could be impacted by the
preferred alternative and the other
alternatives. Accordingly, NMFS
adopted the NSF EA under 40 CFR
1506.3 and made its own FONSI. The
NMFS FONSI also takes into
consideration additional mitigation
measures required by the IHA that are
not in NSF’s EA. Therefore, NMFS has
determined that it is not necessary to
issue a new EA, supplemental EA or an
EIS for the issuance of an IHA to L-DEO
for this activity. A copy of the EA and
the NMFS FONSI for this activity is
available upon request (see ADDRESSES).
Determinations
NMFS has determined that the impact
of conducting the seismic survey in the
Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific
Ocean may result, at worst, in a
temporary modification in behavior by
certain species of marine mammals.
This activity is expected to result in no
more than a negligible impact on the
affected species or stocks.
For reasons stated previously in this
document, this determination is
supported by (1) the likelihood that,
given sufficient notice through
relatively slow ship speed and ramp-up,
marine mammals are expected to move
away from a noise source that is
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annoying prior to its becoming
potentially injurious; (2) recent research
that indicates that TTS is unlikely (at
least in delphinids) until levels closer to
200–205 dB re 1 microPa are reached
rather than 180 dB re 1 microPa; (3) the
fact that 200–205 dB isopleths would be
well within 100 m (328 ft) of the vessel
even in shallow water; and (4) the
likelihood that marine mammal
detection ability by trained observers is
close to 100 percent during daytime and
remains high at night to that distance
from the seismic vessel. As a result, no
take by injury or death is anticipated,
and the potential for temporary or
permanent hearing impairment is very
low and will be avoided through the
incorporation of the proposed
mitigation measures mentioned in this
document.
While the number of potential
incidental harassment takes will depend
on the distribution and abundance of
marine mammals in the vicinity of the
survey activity, the number of potential
harassment takings is estimated to be
small. In addition, the proposed seismic
program will not interfere with any legal
subsistence hunts, since seismic
operations will not take place in
subsistence whaling and sealing areas
and will not affect marine mammals
used for subsistence purposes.
The change of survey vessel and the
differences in the timing of the summer
2005 survey are not expected to alter the
impacts of the seismic survey on the
wildlife resources in the area. The
acoustic equipment on both vessels is
similar and no substantial differences in
impacts to the marine mammal species
present and the environment are
expected from the use of the Thompson
instead of the R/V Kilo Moana. The
description of the animal distributions
and abundances in the study area is not
expected to change over the
approximately two month period of
both the original and revised schedules.
The take estimates provided in the
application also apply to the revised
schedule.
Authorization
NMFS has issued an IHA to L-DEO to
take marine mammals, by harassment,
incidental to conducting a low-intensity
oceanographic seismic survey in the
Aleutian Island area of the North Pacific
Ocean, for a 1–year period, provided the
mitigation, monitoring, and reporting
requirements are undertaken.
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44913
Dated: July 28, 2005.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–15374 Filed 8–3–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[Docket Number 050722197–5197–01]
Partnerships in the Provision of
Environmental Information
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is
proposing to clarify its internal Policy
on Partnerships in the Provision of
Environmental Information, issued
December 1, 2004. This clarification is
intended to address apparent
misunderstanding regarding the intent
of the policy with respect to the role
played by the private sector in the
environmental information enterprise as
a whole.
DATES: To be sure that your comments
are considered, we must receive them
by 12 p.m., e.s.t., November 2, 2005.
ADDRESSES: The proposed clarification
to the policy is available electronically
at https://www.nws.noaa.gov/
partnershippolicy. Comments are
requested electronically; please send
comments to
partnershippolicy@noaa.gov. Requests
for hard copies or comments in letter
form should be sent to Partnership
Policy, Room 11426, 1325 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–
3283.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Sokich 301–713–0258.
john.sokich@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) recognizes
there has been some misunderstanding
regarding the intent of its ‘‘Policy on
Partnerships in the Provision of
Environmental Information,’’ issued
December 1, 2004. The present policy
does not adequately express NOAA’s
views of the critical role played by the
private sector in the environmental
information enterprise as a whole.
NOAA is sensitive to the concerns and
prerogatives of the private sector, and
has no intent to displace it. We
recognize that the public interest is
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44914
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2005 / Notices
served by the ability of private sector
entities to provide diverse services to
meet the varied needs of specific
individuals, organizations and
economic entities. At the same time,
NOAA has a responsibility to help
protect lives and property and enhance
the national economy.
The present standard of NOAA
conduct is contained in Section 4 of the
policy which states that NOAA will give
‘‘due consideration’’ to the abilities of
the private sector and academic
communities to provide diverse services
and act in the public interest when
making decisions regarding NOAA
information services. NOAA proposes
clarifying Section 4 to state that NOAA
will ‘‘take advantage of existing
capabilities and services of commercial
and academic sectors to avoid
duplication and competition in areas
not related to the NOAA mission.’’
The proposed clarification is intended
to emphasize the statement in the
present policy that NOAA will not
haphazardly institute significant
changes in existing information
dissemination activities without first
carefully considering the views and
capabilities of the private sector. In that
regard, it emphasizes that NOAA will
endeavor to take advantage of
capabilities and services that already
exist in the commercial sector.
NOAA is committed to open
consultation with all who are affected
by NOAA’s services, including the
private sector. The American
Meteorological Society has established a
new Commission to foster constructive
discussion within the enterprise as a
whole. NOAA will use this and other
appropriate mechanisms to consult
openly on these matters as we move
forward.
In sum, NOAA will interpret and
apply the policy to recognize the unique
capabilities of the private sector in order
to accomplish our shared goal of
fostering a robust and successful
environmental information enterprise.
Accordingly, NOAA seeks comment
on the proposed change to Section 4,
which would read as follows:
4. The nation benefits from
government information disseminated
both by Federal agencies and by diverse
nonfederal parties, including
commercial and not-for-profit entities.
NOAA recognizes the government best
serves the public interest by cooperating
with private sector and academic and
research entities to meet the varied
needs of specific individuals,
organizations, and economic entities.
NOAA will take advantage of existing
capabilities and services of commercial
and academic sectors to avoid
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Jkt 205001
duplication and competition in areas
not related to the NOAA mission.
NOAA will give due consideration to
these abilities and consider the effects of
its decisions on the activities of these
entities, in accordance with its
responsibilities as an agency of the U.S.
Government, to serve the public interest
and advance the nation’s environmental
information enterprise as a whole.
For ease of comparison, the present
Section 4 reads as follows:
4. NOAA recognizes the public
interest is served by the ability of
private sector entities and the academic
and research community to provide
diverse services to meet the varied
needs of specific individuals,
organizations, and economic entities.
The nation benefits from government
information disseminated both by
Federal agencies and by diverse
nonfederal parties, including
commercial and not-for-profit entities.
NOAA will give due consideration to
these abilities, and consider the effects
of its decisions on the activities of these
entities, in accordance with its
responsibilities as an agency of the U.S.
Government, to serve the public interest
and advance the nation’s environmental
information enterprise as a whole.
Office of the Secretary
of their respective Military Departments.
These sessions will be open to the
public, subject to the availability of
space. The Panel has held seven public
hearings and has provided the public
oppportunities to address the Panel both
person and in writing. The Panel has
also deliberated in several sessions open
to the public, including deliberations on
an initial draft of a final report prepared
by the Panel’s staff. The Panel must
complete its report during August so
that Congress may consider it during
this legislative session as envisioned in
section 574 of the Ronald W. Reagan
National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2005. Due to this
exceptional circumstance, the Panel
decided to hold its final deliberation
session, open to the public, on August
12. This decision, based on that
exceptional circumstance, was made on
July 28, thus making it impossible for
the Department to provide the 15
calendar days notice normally required
for Panel meetings.
DATES: August 12, 2005: 8:30 a.m.–11:30
a.m., and 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Hilton Crystal City, 2399
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington,
Virginia 22202.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any
member of the public wishing further
information concerning this meeting
may contact:
Mr. James R. Schwenk, Designated
Federal Official, Department of Defense
Office of the General Counsel, 1600
Defense Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia
20301–1600. Telephone: (703) 697–
9343. Fax: (703) 693–7616.
schwenkj@dodge.osd.mil.
Meeting of the Independent Review
Panel to Study the Relationships
between Military Department General
Counsels and Judge Advocates
General—Open Meeting
Dated: August 1, 2005.
L. M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 05–15469 Filed 8–3–05; 8:45 am]
Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice.
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public
Law 96–463, notice is hereby given that
the Independent Review Panel to Study
the Relationships between Military
Department General Counsels and Judge
Advocates General will hold an open
meeting at the Hilton Crystal City, 2399
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington,
Virginia 22202, on August 12, 2005,
from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
to 4 p.m.
Purpose: The Panel will meet on
August 12, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30
a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., to conduct
deliberations concerning the
relationships between the legal elements
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Dated: August 1, 2005.
David L. Johnson,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 05–15459 Filed 8–3–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–KE–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
AGENCY:
PO 00000
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Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Overview
Information, Special Education—
Technical Assistance on State Data
Collection—IDEA General Supervision
Enhancement Grant; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2005
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 84.373X.
Note: The Secretary is inviting applications
under two separate funding priorities
addressing data collected under Part B and
Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, as amended (IDEA).
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44913-44914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15459]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket Number 050722197-5197-01]
Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is
proposing to clarify its internal Policy on Partnerships in the
Provision of Environmental Information, issued December 1, 2004. This
clarification is intended to address apparent misunderstanding
regarding the intent of the policy with respect to the role played by
the private sector in the environmental information enterprise as a
whole.
DATES: To be sure that your comments are considered, we must receive
them by 12 p.m., e.s.t., November 2, 2005.
ADDRESSES: The proposed clarification to the policy is available
electronically at https://www.nws.noaa.gov/partnershippolicy. Comments
are requested electronically; please send comments to
partnershippolicy@noaa.gov. Requests for hard copies or comments in
letter form should be sent to Partnership Policy, Room 11426, 1325
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3283.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Sokich 301-713-0258.
john.sokich@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) recognizes there has been some misunderstanding
regarding the intent of its ``Policy on Partnerships in the Provision
of Environmental Information,'' issued December 1, 2004. The present
policy does not adequately express NOAA's views of the critical role
played by the private sector in the environmental information
enterprise as a whole. NOAA is sensitive to the concerns and
prerogatives of the private sector, and has no intent to displace it.
We recognize that the public interest is
[[Page 44914]]
served by the ability of private sector entities to provide diverse
services to meet the varied needs of specific individuals,
organizations and economic entities. At the same time, NOAA has a
responsibility to help protect lives and property and enhance the
national economy.
The present standard of NOAA conduct is contained in Section 4 of
the policy which states that NOAA will give ``due consideration'' to
the abilities of the private sector and academic communities to provide
diverse services and act in the public interest when making decisions
regarding NOAA information services. NOAA proposes clarifying Section 4
to state that NOAA will ``take advantage of existing capabilities and
services of commercial and academic sectors to avoid duplication and
competition in areas not related to the NOAA mission.''
The proposed clarification is intended to emphasize the statement
in the present policy that NOAA will not haphazardly institute
significant changes in existing information dissemination activities
without first carefully considering the views and capabilities of the
private sector. In that regard, it emphasizes that NOAA will endeavor
to take advantage of capabilities and services that already exist in
the commercial sector.
NOAA is committed to open consultation with all who are affected by
NOAA's services, including the private sector. The American
Meteorological Society has established a new Commission to foster
constructive discussion within the enterprise as a whole. NOAA will use
this and other appropriate mechanisms to consult openly on these
matters as we move forward.
In sum, NOAA will interpret and apply the policy to recognize the
unique capabilities of the private sector in order to accomplish our
shared goal of fostering a robust and successful environmental
information enterprise.
Accordingly, NOAA seeks comment on the proposed change to Section
4, which would read as follows:
4. The nation benefits from government information disseminated
both by Federal agencies and by diverse nonfederal parties, including
commercial and not-for-profit entities. NOAA recognizes the government
best serves the public interest by cooperating with private sector and
academic and research entities to meet the varied needs of specific
individuals, organizations, and economic entities. NOAA will take
advantage of existing capabilities and services of commercial and
academic sectors to avoid duplication and competition in areas not
related to the NOAA mission. NOAA will give due consideration to these
abilities and consider the effects of its decisions on the activities
of these entities, in accordance with its responsibilities as an agency
of the U.S. Government, to serve the public interest and advance the
nation's environmental information enterprise as a whole.
For ease of comparison, the present Section 4 reads as follows:
4. NOAA recognizes the public interest is served by the ability of
private sector entities and the academic and research community to
provide diverse services to meet the varied needs of specific
individuals, organizations, and economic entities. The nation benefits
from government information disseminated both by Federal agencies and
by diverse nonfederal parties, including commercial and not-for-profit
entities. NOAA will give due consideration to these abilities, and
consider the effects of its decisions on the activities of these
entities, in accordance with its responsibilities as an agency of the
U.S. Government, to serve the public interest and advance the nation's
environmental information enterprise as a whole.
Dated: August 1, 2005.
David L. Johnson,
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.
[FR Doc. 05-15459 Filed 8-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KE-P
