Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA Using Pot or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 30299-30300 [06-4895]

Download as PDF cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Rules and Regulations 2001 and 66 FR 34603, June 20, 2001, on an interim basis until the Commission concludes its rural review proceeding and adopts changes, if any, to those rules as a result of that proceeding. Based on the recommendations of the Rural Task Force and the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service (Joint Board), the Commission adopted a modified embedded cost support mechanism for rural carriers for a five-year period beginning on July 1, 2001. Thus, the Commission intended that the Rural Task Force plan would remain in effect util June 30, 2006. At the same time, the Commission expected to complete a review, with Joint Board input, of the rules relating to the rural high-cost support mechanism before the end of the five year period. 2. On June 28, 2004, the Commission asked the Joint Board to review the Commission’s rules relating to high-cost support for rural carriers and to determine the appropriate rural mechanism to succeed the five-year plan adopted in the Rural Task Force Order. On August 16, 2004, the Commission released a Joint Board Public Notice seeking comment on the rural review issues referred to the Joint Board. On August 17, 2005, the Commission released another Joint Board Public Notice seeking comment on several proposals that state Joint Board members and staff had developed. The Joint Board has been diligently reviewing the record and considering what support mechanism should succeed the Rural Task Force plan. Nonetheless, the Commission finds that it may not have adequate time after the Joint Board issues a recommended decision in the rural review proceeding to develop a record on that recommendation and to adopt any changes to the current rules prior to June 30, 2006. In light of the ongoing Joint Board review, the interim nature of these rules, and the need to ensure continuity pending further Commission action, good cause exists to extend the rural high-cost support rules adopted in the Rural Task Force Order. The Commission also finds it has authority to adopt interim rules without notice and comment when necessary. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); see Mid-Tex Elec. Coop., Inc. v. FERC, 822 F.2d 1123 (D.C. Cir. 1987). Accordingly, the rural high-cost support rules adopted in the Rural Task Force Order, as amended, will remain in effect after this date until the Commission adopts new high-cost support rules for rural carriers. 3. Pursuant to the authority contained in sections 1–4, 201–205, 214, 218–220, VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 May 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 254, 303(r), 403, 405, and 410 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151–154, 201–205, 214, 218–220, 254, 303(r), 403, 405, and 410, that this Order in CC Docket No. 96–45 and WC Docket No. 05–337 is adopted. 4. The extension of the high-cost universal service support rules applicable to rural carriers shall be effective June 26, 2006. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 06–4856 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 665 [Docket No. 060327086-6130-02; I.D. 032306A] RIN 0648-AU21 NOAA Information Collection Requirements Under the Paperwork Reduction Act; OMB Control Numbers; Fisheries off West Coast States; Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Correction National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule; correcting amendment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This rule amends the regulations for fisheries in the western Pacific to correct errors that resulted from a recent regulatory reorganization. This action is necessary to remedy incorrect cross-references and administrative titles, and will result in accurately worded regulations. DATES: Effective May 26, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Harman, Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 808 944–2271. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published in the Federal Register a final rule that reorganized fishery regulations by creating a new part 665 for the regulations covering fisheries in the western Pacific (71 FR 17985, April 10, 2006). Regulations for western Pacific fisheries were formerly found in part 660, with west coast regulations. The instructions for implementing that reorganization rule contained several PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 30299 errors. Most important was that the internal cross-references to other sections of the new part 665 still incorrectly referred to sections in old part 660 that no longer existed after the reorganization. Other errors included administrative titles that were not changed during the previous reorganization rule. This final rule corrects those errors. No substantive changes are being made to the regulations. Classification Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, (AA) finds good cause to waive prior notice and opportunity for public comment, as such notice and comment would be unnecessary. These procedures are unnecessary because the regulations were subject to notice and comment when originally implemented, and no substantive changes are being made pursuant to this final rule. The only actions currently being taken are to correct errors in cross references created during the reorganization of the western Pacific regulations into a new part, and to correct several administrative titles. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d), the 30-day delay in effectiveness does not apply to this rule because it is not a substantive rule. This rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Dated: May 22, 2006. James W. Balsiger, Acting Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 665 is correctly amended as follows: I PART 665—[CORRECTED] 1. The authority citation for part 665 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2. In part 665, remove all references to ‘‘660’’ every place it appears and replace it with ‘‘665’’. I § 665.41 [Corrected] 3. In § 665.41, paragraph (c), remove ‘‘Pacific Area Office’’ and replace it with‘‘Pacific Islands Regional Office’’. I 4. In § 665.41, paragraphs (g)(4)(i), and (g)(4)(ii), remove ‘‘Regional Director’’ and replace it with ‘‘Regional Administrator’’. I [FR Doc. E6–8173 Filed 5–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\26MYR1.SGM 26MYR1 30300 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 102 / Friday, May 26, 2006 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 060216045–6045–01; I.D. 052206A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA Using Pot or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot or hook-andline gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 23, 2006, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:42 May 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006), the adjustment on March 14, 2006 (71 FR 13777, March 17, 2006), the reallocation on March 21, 2006 (71 FR 14825, March 24, 2006), and the reallocation on May 1, 2006 (71 FR 25508, May 1, 2006) allocated a directed fishing allowance for Pacific cod of 2,936 metric tons to catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that the 2006 Pacific cod directed fishing allowance allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-andline gear in the BSAI. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of May 22, 2006. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 22, 2006. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–4895 Filed 5–23–06; 2:25 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\26MYR1.SGM 26MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30299-30300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4895]



[[Page 30300]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 052206A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA Using Pot or Hook-and-
Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) 
using pot or hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the 2006 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher 
vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in 
the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 23, 2006, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations 
governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at 
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in 
the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006), the adjustment on March 14, 2006 
(71 FR 13777, March 17, 2006), the reallocation on March 21, 2006 (71 
FR 14825, March 24, 2006), and the reallocation on May 1, 2006 (71 FR 
25508, May 1, 2006) allocated a directed fishing allowance for Pacific 
cod of 2,936 metric tons to catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) 
LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that the 2006 Pacific cod directed fishing 
allowance allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA 
using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line 
gear in the BSAI.
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
amounts at Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the closure of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 
ft (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. NMFS was 
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because 
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of May 22, 
2006.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 22, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4895 Filed 5-23-06; 2:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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