Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit, 56107-56108 [E6-15685]

Download as PDF pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 26, 2006 / Notices organizations involved with or affected by marine conservation including in the Great Lakes. Fifteen members of the Committee have terms that expire October 31, 2007, and nominations are sought to fill these vacancies. Individuals seeking membership on the Committee should possess demonstrable expertise in a related field or represent a stakeholder interest affected by MPAs. Nominees also will be evaluated based on the following factors: Marine policy experience, leadership and organization skills, region of country represented, and diversity characteristics. The membership reflects the Departments’ commitment to attaining balance and diversity. The full text of the Committee Charter and its current membership can be viewed at the Agency’s Web page at https://mpa.gov/fac.html. DATES: Nominations must be postmarked on or before November 1, 2006. ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Lauren Wenzel, National Marine Protected Areas Center, NOAA, 1305 East West Highway, Station #12227, Silver Spring, MD 20910. E-mail: Lauren.Wenzel@noaa.gov. E-mail nominations are acceptable. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Wenzel, National Marine Protected Areas Center (301) 713–3100 x136, Lauren.Wenzel@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Executive Order 13158, the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior were directed to seek the expert advice and recommendations of nonFederal scientists, resource managers, and other interested people and organizations through a Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee. The Committee was established in June 2003 and includes 30 members. The Committee meets at least once annually. Committee members serve for one four-year nonrenewable term. Members of the Committee will not be compensated, but may, upon request, be allowed travel and per diem expenses. Each nomination submission should include the proposed Committee member’s name and organizational affiliation, a cover letter describing the nominee’s qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee, a curriculum vitae or resume of nominee, and no more than three supporting letters describing the nominee’s qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee. Self-nominations are acceptable. The following contact information should accompany each submission: The nominee’s name, VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:03 Sep 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address if available. Dated: September 20, 2006. Mitchell A. Luxenberg, Deputy Director, Management and Budget, National Ocean Service. [FR Doc. E6–15759 Filed 9–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 082106A] Notice of Availability of a Final Record of Decision on the Issuance of Permits 56107 which describes the measures to minimize and mitigate the effects of the incidental take of federally listed species to the maximum extent practicable. The notice of availability for the draft EIS, draft Forest Practices HCP, and draft Implementing Agreement was published in the Federal Register on February 11, 2005 (70 FR 7245), and the notice of availability for the Final EIS, Final Forest Practices HCP, and Implementing Agreement was published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2006 (71 FR 4609). Copies of the Record of Decision, which was signed on June 5, 2006, are available from the Services. (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT for contact information). Dated: September 19, 2006. David Wesley, Deputy Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, Portland, Oregon AGENCIES: Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Interior; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of Final Record of Decision and issuance of permits. Dated: September 19, 2006. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–15761 Filed 9–25–06; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) announce the availability of a Final Record of Decision on the issuance of incidental take permits to the state of Washington under section 10 of the Endangered Species Act for the Washington Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The two incidental take permits (one from each of the Services) authorize incidental take of aquatic species (16 listed fish species, 54 unlisted fish species, and 7 unlisted amphibian species) from covered forest practices implemented under the HCP. These forest practices affect approximately 9 million acres of nonFederal and non-tribal lands in Washington State. The permits were issued on June 5, 2006, and will remain in effect for 50 years. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, or to receive copies of the documents, please contact Sally Butts, Project Manager, FWS, (360) 753– 5832; or Laura Hamilton, Project Manager, NMFS, (360) 753–5820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice advises the public that the Services gathered the information necessary to; (1) determine impacts and formulate alternatives for the EIS related to the issuance of incidental take permits to the state of Washington; and (2) develop and implement the HCP, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 BILLING CODE 4310–55–S and 3510–22–S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 092006A] Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; proposal to conduct experimental fishing; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject exempted fishing permit (EFP) application submitted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Northeast Multispecies FMP. However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES 56108 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 26, 2006 / Notices EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Regional Administrator proposes to issue an EFP that would allow general category scallop vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the northeastern United States. The EFP would exempt vessels from certain gear restrictions, minimum fish size possession restrictions, and seasonal area restrictions. DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 11, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted by any of the following methods: Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope, ‘‘Comments on Scallop RSA EFP Proposal;’’ Email: 06–SCA–011@noaa.gov, include ‘‘Comment on EFP Proposal’’ in the subject line of the e-mail; or Fax: (978) 281–9135. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Silva, Fishery Management Specialist, phone: 978–281–9326, fax: 978–281–9135. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to the Request for Proposals issued to solicit research proposals under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set Aside (RSA) Program, GMRI submitted a proposal on November 18, 2005, entitled, ‘‘Testing Bycatch in an Observer-based Experimental Scallop Fishery Outside the Gulf of Maine (GOM) Scallop Dredge Exemption Area and within Statistical Area 521 and 526.’’ The grant was approved on August 4, 2006, as NOAA Award No. NA06NMF4540262. An EFP application was submitted September 7, 2006. The project would survey the Great South Channel Dredge Exemption Area (GSC) over a 10-month period to quantify catch rates of scallops and finfish bycatch across multiple seasons using the general category regulated 3.2 m (10.5–ft) scallop dredge. From March through June, project investigators would identify the sex and maturity stage of captured yellowtail flounder to improve spawning data. Since portions of the GSC are closed seasonally to protect spawning yellowtail flounder, vessels would require an exemption from regulations at 50 CFR 648.80(a)(18)(ii)(C) and (D). Vessels would conduct a total of 264 tows over 66 days in the study area. Each trip would be 1 day in length. Approximately four 30-minute tows would be made per day. Tow length and vessel speed, as well as all other gear characteristics, would match the VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:03 Sep 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 standards employed by the general category fleet. For each tow, environmental data, including water temperature, wind, sea state, and weather, would be recorded. Total weight of the scallop catch would be obtained. All other species would be identified, weighed, measured, and returned to the sea as quickly as possible to minimize mortality. Since project investigators would retain fish below the minimum fish size to collect data, vessels would require exemption from minimum fish size regulations at § 648.83(a). Only marketable scallops would be retained for sale. On approximately one third of the total number of tows, vessels would cover the 25–cm (10–inch) mesh twine top to collect dredge selectivity information, thus requiring exemption from gear requirements at § 648.51(b)(2). Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs. The applicant may place requests for minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and minimal so as not to change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 20, 2006. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–15685 Filed 9–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee; Public Meeting National Ocean Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the next meeting of the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (Committee) in Newport, Oregon. DATES: The meeting will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, October 12, 2006, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These times and the agenda topics described below may be subject PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to change. Refer to the Web page listed below for the most up-to-date meeting agenda. The meeting will be held at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon 97365. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Wenzel, Designated Federal Official, MPA FAC, National Marine Protected Areas Center, 1305 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910. (Phone: 301–713–3100 x136, Fax: 301–713–3110); e-mail: lauren.wenzel@noaa.gov; or visit the National MPA Center Web site at https://www.mpa.gov). The Committee, composed of external, knowledgeable representatives of stakeholder groups, was established by the Department of Commerce to provide advice to the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior on implementation of Section 4 of Executive Order 13158 on MPAs. The meeting will be open to public participation with a one hour time period set aside from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, and one hour set aside from 8:10 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2006, for the Committee to receive verbal comments or questions from the public. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Designated Federal Official by October 6, 2006. Matters To Be Considered: On Tuesday, October 10, 2006, the Committee will receive presentations on the draft Framework for Developing a National System of MPAs and on ocean zoning. In addition, the subcommittees will meet. On Wednesday, October 11, 2006, the Committee will hear from speakers on MPAs in Oregon and tribal MPA policies in the Pacific Northwest. The subcommittees will also continue their work. On Thursday, October 12, 2006, the Committee will hear about MPA management on the Pacific coast, and the subcommittees will report on their work to the full Committee. The agenda is subject to change, and the latest version will be posted at https:// www.mpa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: September 20, 2006. Mitchell A. Luxenberg, Deputy Director, Management and Budget, National Ocean Service. [FR Doc. E6–15760 Filed 9–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56107-56108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15685]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 092006A]


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic 
Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permit

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

ACTION: Notice; proposal to conduct experimental fishing; request for 
comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject 
exempted fishing permit (EFP) application submitted by the Gulf of 
Maine Research Institute (GMRI) contains all the required information 
and warrants further consideration. The Regional Administrator has also 
made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under 
the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Northeast 
Multispecies FMP. However, further review and consultation may be 
necessary before a final determination is made to issue the

[[Page 56108]]

EFP. Therefore, NMFS announces that the Regional Administrator proposes 
to issue an EFP that would allow general category scallop vessels to 
conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the 
regulations governing the fisheries of the northeastern United States. 
The EFP would exempt vessels from certain gear restrictions, minimum 
fish size possession restrictions, and seasonal area restrictions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 11, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
    Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast 
Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the 
outside of the envelope, ``Comments on Scallop RSA EFP Proposal;''
    Email: 06-SCA-011@noaa.gov, include ``Comment on EFP Proposal'' in 
the subject line of the e-mail; or
    Fax: (978) 281-9135.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Silva, Fishery Management 
Specialist, phone: 978-281-9326, fax: 978-281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to the Request for Proposals 
issued to solicit research proposals under the Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Research Set Aside (RSA) Program, GMRI submitted a proposal on November 
18, 2005, entitled, ``Testing Bycatch in an Observer-based Experimental 
Scallop Fishery Outside the Gulf of Maine (GOM) Scallop Dredge 
Exemption Area and within Statistical Area 521 and 526.'' The grant was 
approved on August 4, 2006, as NOAA Award No. NA06NMF4540262. An EFP 
application was submitted September 7, 2006.
    The project would survey the Great South Channel Dredge Exemption 
Area (GSC) over a 10-month period to quantify catch rates of scallops 
and finfish bycatch across multiple seasons using the general category 
regulated 3.2 m (10.5-ft) scallop dredge. From March through June, 
project investigators would identify the sex and maturity stage of 
captured yellowtail flounder to improve spawning data. Since portions 
of the GSC are closed seasonally to protect spawning yellowtail 
flounder, vessels would require an exemption from regulations at 50 CFR 
648.80(a)(18)(ii)(C) and (D).
    Vessels would conduct a total of 264 tows over 66 days in the study 
area. Each trip would be 1 day in length. Approximately four 30-minute 
tows would be made per day. Tow length and vessel speed, as well as all 
other gear characteristics, would match the standards employed by the 
general category fleet. For each tow, environmental data, including 
water temperature, wind, sea state, and weather, would be recorded. 
Total weight of the scallop catch would be obtained. All other species 
would be identified, weighed, measured, and returned to the sea as 
quickly as possible to minimize mortality. Since project investigators 
would retain fish below the minimum fish size to collect data, vessels 
would require exemption from minimum fish size regulations at Sec.  
648.83(a). Only marketable scallops would be retained for sale.
    On approximately one third of the total number of tows, vessels 
would cover the 25-cm (10-inch) mesh twine top to collect dredge 
selectivity information, thus requiring exemption from gear 
requirements at Sec.  648.51(b)(2).
    Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act require publication of this notification to provide 
interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for 
proposed EFPs. The applicant may place requests for minor modifications 
and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and 
extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed 
essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and minimal 
so as not to change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP 
request.

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

    Dated: September 20, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15685 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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