North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Notice of Public Meetings, 3484-3485 [E6-732]

Download as PDF 3484 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 14 / Monday, January 23, 2006 / Notices sea turtle) observations, through the use of mission reporting forms. (4) A–S gunnery missions will coordinate with next-day flight activities to provide supplemental postmission observations for marine mammals and sea turtles in the operations area of the previous day. (5) A summary annual report of marine mammal/sea turtle observations and A–S activities will be submitted to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office (SERO) and the Office of Protected Resources by January 31 of each year. (6) If any marine mammal or sea turtle is observed or detected to be deceased prior to testing, or injured or killed during live fire, a report must be made to the NMFS by the following business day. (7) Any unauthorized takes of marine mammals (i.e., serious injury or mortality) must be immediately reported to the NMFS representative and to the respective stranding network representative. ESA Consultation under section 7 of the ESA on Eglin was completed on December 18, 1998. Consultation was reinitiated by Eglin AFB with NMFS on February 13, 2003 and concluded on October 20, 2004. A NMFS Biological Opinion issued on October 20, 2004, concluded that the A–S gunnery exercises in the EGTTR are unlikely to jeopardize the continued existence of species listed under the ESA that are within the jurisdiction of NMFS or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. The proposed IHA to Eglin is a federal action; accordingly, prior to issuance of an IHA, NMFS will determine whether additional consultation is necessary. erjones on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES NEPA In November, 2002, the U.S. Air Force prepared a Final Programmatic EA for the activities on the EGTTR. NMFS is reviewing this EA and will either adopt it or prepare its own NEPA document before making a determination on the issuance of an IHA and rulemaking. A copy of Eglin’s Final PEA for this activity is available upon written request (see ADDRESSES). Preliminary Conclusions NMFS has preliminarily determined that the A–S gunnery exercises that are conducted by Eglin AFB in the EGTTR in the northern GOM, is unlikely to result in the mortality or serious injury of marine mammals (see Table 11) and, would result in, at worst, a temporary elevation in hearing sensitivity (known as TTS). NMFS estimates that up to 271 VerDate Aug<31>2005 13:01 Jan 20, 2006 Jkt 208001 marine mammals may incur this form of Level B harassment annually. Also, these gunnery exercises have the potential to result in a temporary modification in behavior by marine mammals. NMFS estimates that up 25 marine mammals may experience a behavioral response to these exercises during the time-frame of an IHA. While behavioral modifications may be made by these species as a result of these airto-surface gunnery activities, any behavioral change is expected to result in no more than a negligible impact on the affected species. In addition, the potential for temporary hearing impairment is very low and will be mitigated to the lowest level practicable through the incorporation of the mitigation measures mentioned in this document. Proposed Authorization NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to Eglin AFB for conducting A–S gunnery exercises within the EGTTR in the northern GOM provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. NMFS has preliminarily determined that the proposed activity is unlikely to result in serious injury or mortality to marine mammals; would have no more than a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal stocks; and would not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of stocks for subsistence uses. Information Solicited NMFS requests interested persons to submit comments and information concerning this proposed IHA and Eglin’s IHA/LOA application for incidental take regulations (see ADDRESSES). As this document is being published in conformance with NMFS regulations implementing the incidental take program (50 CFR 104(b)(1)(ii)), NMFS requests interested persons to submit comments, information, and suggestions concerning both the request and the structure and content of future regulations to allow this taking. As requested by 50 CFR 216.105, NMFS will consider this information in developing proposed regulations to authorize the taking. If NMFS proposes regulations to allow this take, interested parties will be provided with a 45-day comment period within which to submit comments on the proposed rule. Dated: January 17, 2006. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–595 Filed 1–20–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 011806F] North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Notice of Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Meetings of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory committees. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings February 6–14, 2006 at the Doubletree Hotel, 18740 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98188. DATES: The Council’s Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m., Monday, February 6 and continue through Saturday February 11, 2006. The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday February 6 and continue through Wednesday, February 8, 2006. The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, continuing through February 14, 2006. All meetings are open to the public except executive sessions. The Ecosystem Committee will meet Tuesday, February 7, from 8 am to 12 pm. The Enforcement Committee will meet Tuesday, February 7, from 1 pm to 5 pm. ADDRESSES: Doubletree Hotel, 18740 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98188. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Council staff, Phone: 907–271–2809. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Council Plenary Session: The agenda for the Council’s plenary session will include the following issues. The Council may take appropriate action on any of the issues identified. 1. Reports Executive Director’s Report NMFS Management Report U.S. Coast Guard Report Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) Report (includes Board of Fisheries (BOF) proposals and creel survey report). U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Report Protected Species Report (update on Consultation process) E:\FR\FM\23JAN1.SGM 23JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 14 / Monday, January 23, 2006 / Notices 2. Improved Retention/Improved Utilization (IR/IU): Final action on Amendment 80 (T). 3. Bering Sea Aleutian Island (BSAI) Pacific Cod Allocations: Initial review of Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact (EA/RIR) review. 4. Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish Rationalization: Review other data and information and revise alternatives/ options as appropriate. 5. Observer Program: Committee report and Initial review of EA/RIR. 6. Halibut Guideline Harvest Levels (GHLs): Committee report and Initial review of EA/RIR. 7. American Fisheries Act (AFA): Review 2005 cooperative (co-op) reports and 2006 co-op agreements. 8. Groundfish Management: Chiniak Gully experiment final review of EA; Review Exempted Fishery Permit (EFP); Review Other Species stock assessments (SSC only); Review Species of Concern assessments (SSC only); Lower Trophic Level Modeling Workshop (SSC only); Lower Trophic Level Modeling Workshop (SSC only). 9. Research Priorities: Review and approve. 10. Staff Tasking: Committees and tasking, discuss alternatives to change Maximum Retainable Amount (MRA) for the non-target AFA catcher processor fleet. 11. Other Business The SSC agenda will include the following issues: 1. BSAI Pacific cod Allocation. 2. Observer Program. 3. Groundfish Management. 4. Research Priorities. The Advisory Panel will address the same agenda issues as the Council. Special Accommodations erjones on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Gail Bendixen at 907–271–2809 at least 7 working days prior to the meeting date. Dated: January 18, 2006. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc.E6–732 Filed 1–20–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 13:01 Jan 20, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 011806B] Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting/Workshop National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Groundfish Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel for yelloweye rockfish will hold a work session which is open to the public. DATES: The yelloweye rockfish STAR Panel meeting will be held beginning at 1 p.m., February 13, 2006. The meeting will continue on February 14, 2006 beginning at 8:30 a.m. through February 15, 2006. The meetings will end at 5 p.m. each day, or as necessary to complete business. ADDRESSES: The yelloweye rockfish STAR Panel meeting will be held at the Human Resources Division Conference Room, Building 1, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Western Regional Center’s Sand Point Facility, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115–6349. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Stacey Miller, Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC); telephone: 206–860–3480; or Mr. John DeVore, Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone: 503–820–2280. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this meeting is to review draft yelloweye rockfish stock assessment documents and any other pertinent stock information, work with the Stock Assessment Team to make necessary revisions to the draft yelloweye rockfish stock assessment, and produce a STAR Panel report for use by the Council family and other interested persons. No management actions will be decided by the STAR Panel. The STAR Panel’s role will be development of recommendations and reports for consideration by the Council at its March meeting in Seattle, Washington. Entry to the NOAA Western Regional Center’s Sand Point Facility requires visitors to show a valid picture ID and register with security. A visitor’s badge, which must be worn while at the NOAA PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3485 Western Regional Center’s Facility, will be issued to non-Federal employees participating in the meeting. Although nonemergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda may come before the STAR Panel meeting participants for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal STAR panel meeting action during this meeting. STAR Panel meeting action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the STAR panel meeting participants’ intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter at 503–820–2280 at least five days prior to the meeting date. Dated: January 18, 2006. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–727 Filed 1–20–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 011806C] Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting/Workshop National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Groundfish Stock Assessment Review (STAR) Panel for Pacific hake (whiting) will hold a work session which is open to the public. DATES: The Pacific hake (whiting) STAR Panel meeting will be held beginning 1 p.m., February 6, 2006. The meeting will continue on February 7, 2006 beginning at 8:30 a.m. through February 10, 2006. The meetings will end at 5 p.m. each day, or as necessary to complete business. ADDRESSES: The Pacific hake (whiting) STAR Panel meeting will be held at the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, The Auditorium, 2725 Montlake Boulevard E:\FR\FM\23JAN1.SGM 23JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3484-3485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-732]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 011806F]


North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Notice of Public 
Meetings

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Meetings of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and 
its advisory committees.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its 
advisory committees will hold public meetings February 6-14, 2006 at 
the Doubletree Hotel, 18740 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98188.

DATES: The Council's Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m., Monday, 
February 6 and continue through Saturday February 11, 2006. The 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on 
Monday February 6 and continue through Wednesday, February 8, 2006.
    The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, 
February 8, continuing through February 14, 2006. All meetings are open 
to the public except executive sessions. The Ecosystem Committee will 
meet Tuesday, February 7, from 8 am to 12 pm. The Enforcement Committee 
will meet Tuesday, February 7, from 1 pm to 5 pm.

ADDRESSES: Doubletree Hotel, 18740 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 
98188.
    Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 
4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Council staff, Phone: 907-271-2809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Council Plenary Session: The agenda for the 
Council's plenary session will include the following issues. The 
Council may take appropriate action on any of the issues identified.
    1. Reports
    Executive Director's Report
    NMFS Management Report
    U.S. Coast Guard Report
    Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) Report (includes Board of 
Fisheries (BOF) proposals and creel survey report).
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Report
    Protected Species Report (update on Consultation process)

[[Page 3485]]

    2. Improved Retention/Improved Utilization (IR/IU): Final action on 
Amendment 80 (T).
    3. Bering Sea Aleutian Island (BSAI) Pacific Cod Allocations: 
Initial review of Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact (EA/RIR) 
review.
    4. Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish Rationalization: Review other 
data and information and revise alternatives/options as appropriate.
    5. Observer Program: Committee report and Initial review of EA/RIR.
    6. Halibut Guideline Harvest Levels (GHLs): Committee report and 
Initial review of EA/RIR.
    7. American Fisheries Act (AFA): Review 2005 cooperative (co-op) 
reports and 2006 co-op agreements.
    8. Groundfish Management: Chiniak Gully experiment final review of 
EA; Review Exempted Fishery Permit (EFP); Review Other Species stock 
assessments (SSC only); Review Species of Concern assessments (SSC 
only); Lower Trophic Level Modeling Workshop (SSC only); Lower Trophic 
Level Modeling Workshop (SSC only).
    9. Research Priorities: Review and approve.
    10. Staff Tasking: Committees and tasking, discuss alternatives to 
change Maximum Retainable Amount (MRA) for the non-target AFA catcher 
processor fleet.
    11. Other Business
    The SSC agenda will include the following issues:
    1. BSAI Pacific cod Allocation.
    2. Observer Program.
    3. Groundfish Management.
    4. Research Priorities.
    The Advisory Panel will address the same agenda issues as the 
Council.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Gail Bendixen at 907-271-2809 at 
least 7 working days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: January 18, 2006.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc.E6-732 Filed 1-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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