Endangered and Threatened Species: Extension of Public Comment Period and Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Endangered Species Act Listing of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, 30534-30535 [E7-10587]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSALS 30534 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 105 / Friday, June 1, 2007 / Proposed Rules contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4). This proposed rule also does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), nor will it have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), because it merely proposes to approve a state rule implementing a Federal requirement, and does not alter the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities established in the Clean Air Act. This proposed rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it approves a state rule implementing a Federal standard. In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA’s role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. In this context, in the absence of a prior existing requirement for the State to use voluntary consensus standards (VCS), EPA has no authority to disapprove a SIP submission for failure to use VCS. It would thus be inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it reviews a SIP submission, to use VCS in place of a SIP submission that otherwise satisfies the provisions of the Clean Air Act. Redesignation is an action that affects the status of a geographical area and does not impose any new requirements on sources. Thus, the requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. As required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 (61 FR 4729, February 7, 1996), in issuing this proposed rule, EPA has taken the necessary steps to eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize potential litigation, and provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct. EPA has complied with Executive Order 12630 (53 FR 8859, March 15, 1988) by examining the takings implications of the rule in accordance with the ‘‘Attorney General’s Supplemental Guidelines for the Evaluation of Risk and Avoidance of Unanticipated VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:57 May 31, 2007 Jkt 211001 Takings’’ issued under the executive order. This rule proposing to approve the redesignation of the Harrisburg Area to attainment for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, the associated maintenance plan, the 2002 base-year inventory, and the MVEBs identified in the maintenance plan, does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). List of Subjects 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds. 40 CFR Part 81 Air pollution control, National parks, Wilderness areas. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. Dated: May 25, 2007. Donald S. Welsh, Regional Administrator, Region III. [FR Doc. E7–10585 Filed 5–31–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 224 [I.D. 021607C] Endangered and Threatened Species: Extension of Public Comment Period and Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Endangered Species Act Listing of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Extension of public comment period; notice of public hearings. AGENCY: SUMMARY: On April 20, 2007, NMFS proposed the listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. As part of that proposal, NMFS announced a public comment period to end on June 19, 2007. NMFS has received requests for an extension to the comment period and for public hearings on this issue. In response to these requests, NMFS is extending the public comment period for the proposed listing action to August 3, 2007. Additionally, NMFS is PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 announcing that hearings will be held at two locations in Alaska to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input. DATES: The deadline for comments on the April 20, 2007 (72 FR 19854) proposed rule is extended from June 19, 2007, to August 3, 2007. ADDRESSES: We will hold two public hearings on this issue: one in Homer and one in Anchorage. The dates for these hearings will be announced in a forthcoming notice in the Federal Register. Send comments to Kaja Brix, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Comments may be submitted by: • E-mail: CIB-ESAEndangered@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line the following document identifier: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale PR. E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes. • Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at that site for submitting comments. • Mail: P. O Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 • Hand delivery to the Federal Building : 709 W. 9th Street, Juneau, AK. • Fax: (907) 586–7557. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Smith, NMFS, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99517, telephone (907) 271–5006; Kaja Brix, NMFS, (907) 586– 7235; or Marta Nammack, (301) 713– 1401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On April 20, 2007, NMFS published a proposed rule (72 FR 19854) to list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species. This action followed completion of a status review of the Cook Inlet beluga whale which found this population to be at risk of extinction within the next 100 years. The April 20, 2007, proposed rule also describes NMFS’ determination that this population constitutes a ‘‘species’’, or distinct population segment, under the ESA. Extension of Public Comment Period Several requests have been received to extend the comment period for the proposed listing. The comment period for the proposed listing was to end on June 19, 2007. NMFS is extending the comment period until August 3, 2007, to allow for adequate opportunity for public comment and participation in E:\FR\FM\01JNP1.SGM 01JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 105 / Friday, June 1, 2007 / Proposed Rules public hearings (see DATES and ADDRESSES). jlentini on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSALS Public Hearings Joint Commerce-Interior ESA implementing regulations state that the Secretary shall promptly hold at least one public hearing if any person requests one within 45 days of publication of a proposed regulation to list a species or to designate critical habitat (see 50 CFR 424.16(c)(3)). In past ESA rule-making NMFS has conducted traditional public hearings, consisting of recorded oral testimony from interested individuals. This format, although providing a means of public input, does not provide opportunities for dialogue and information exchange. NMFS believes that the traditional public hearing format can be improved upon by also including a brief presentation on the results of the Status Review and VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:57 May 31, 2007 Jkt 211001 what may be considered topics of interest. The preferred means of providing public comment for the official record is via written testimony prepared in advance of the meeting which may also be presented orally. Blank ‘‘comment sheets’’ will be provided at the meetings for those without prepared written comments, and opportunity will also be provided for additional oral testimony. There is no need to register for these hearings. In scheduling these public hearings, NMFS has anticipated that many affected stakeholders and members of the public may prefer to discuss the proposed listing directly with staff during the public comment period. These public meetings are not the only opportunity for the public to provide input on this proposal. The public and stakeholders are encouraged to continue PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 30535 to comment and provide input to NMFS on the proposal (via correspondence, email, and the Internet; see ADDRESSES, above) up until the scheduled close of the comment period on August 3, 2007. References The proposed rule, status review report, maps, a list of the references cited in this document, and other materials relating to the proposed listing can be found on the NMFS Alaska Region website https:// www.fakr.noaa.gov/. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: May 25, 2007. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–10587 Filed 5–31–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\01JNP1.SGM 01JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 105 (Friday, June 1, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30534-30535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10587]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 224

[I.D. 021607C]


Endangered and Threatened Species: Extension of Public Comment 
Period and Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Endangered Species Act 
Listing of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

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

ACTION: Extension of public comment period; notice of public hearings.

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

SUMMARY: On April 20, 2007, NMFS proposed the listing of the Cook Inlet 
beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (ESA), as amended. As part of that proposal, NMFS announced a 
public comment period to end on June 19, 2007. NMFS has received 
requests for an extension to the comment period and for public hearings 
on this issue. In response to these requests, NMFS is extending the 
public comment period for the proposed listing action to August 3, 
2007. Additionally, NMFS is announcing that hearings will be held at 
two locations in Alaska to provide additional opportunities and formats 
to receive public input.

DATES: The deadline for comments on the April 20, 2007 (72 FR 19854) 
proposed rule is extended from June 19, 2007, to August 3, 2007.

ADDRESSES: We will hold two public hearings on this issue: one in Homer 
and one in Anchorage. The dates for these hearings will be announced in 
a forthcoming notice in the Federal Register.
    Send comments to Kaja Brix, Assistant Regional Administrator, 
Protected Resources Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen 
Sebastian. Comments may be submitted by:
     E-mail: CIB-ESA-Endangered@noaa.gov. Include in the 
subject line the following document identifier: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale 
PR. E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 
megabytes.
     Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.
     Mail: P. O Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
     Hand delivery to the Federal Building : 709 W. 9\th\ 
Street, Juneau, AK.
     Fax: (907) 586-7557.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Smith, NMFS, 222 West 7th Avenue, 
Anchorage, AK 99517, telephone (907) 271-5006; Kaja Brix, NMFS, (907) 
586-7235; or Marta Nammack, (301) 713-1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 20, 2007, NMFS published a proposed rule (72 FR 19854) to 
list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species. This action 
followed completion of a status review of the Cook Inlet beluga whale 
which found this population to be at risk of extinction within the next 
100 years. The April 20, 2007, proposed rule also describes NMFS' 
determination that this population constitutes a ``species'', or 
distinct population segment, under the ESA.

Extension of Public Comment Period

    Several requests have been received to extend the comment period 
for the proposed listing. The comment period for the proposed listing 
was to end on June 19, 2007. NMFS is extending the comment period until 
August 3, 2007, to allow for adequate opportunity for public comment 
and participation in

[[Page 30535]]

public hearings (see DATES and ADDRESSES).

Public Hearings

    Joint Commerce-Interior ESA implementing regulations state that the 
Secretary shall promptly hold at least one public hearing if any person 
requests one within 45 days of publication of a proposed regulation to 
list a species or to designate critical habitat (see 50 CFR 
424.16(c)(3)). In past ESA rule-making NMFS has conducted traditional 
public hearings, consisting of recorded oral testimony from interested 
individuals. This format, although providing a means of public input, 
does not provide opportunities for dialogue and information exchange. 
NMFS believes that the traditional public hearing format can be 
improved upon by also including a brief presentation on the results of 
the Status Review and what may be considered topics of interest.
    The preferred means of providing public comment for the official 
record is via written testimony prepared in advance of the meeting 
which may also be presented orally. Blank ``comment sheets'' will be 
provided at the meetings for those without prepared written comments, 
and opportunity will also be provided for additional oral testimony. 
There is no need to register for these hearings.
    In scheduling these public hearings, NMFS has anticipated that many 
affected stakeholders and members of the public may prefer to discuss 
the proposed listing directly with staff during the public comment 
period. These public meetings are not the only opportunity for the 
public to provide input on this proposal. The public and stakeholders 
are encouraged to continue to comment and provide input to NMFS on the 
proposal (via correspondence, e-mail, and the Internet; see ADDRESSES, 
above) up until the scheduled close of the comment period on August 3, 
2007.

References

    The proposed rule, status review report, maps, a list of the 
references cited in this document, and other materials relating to the 
proposed listing can be found on the NMFS Alaska Region website https://
www.fakr.noaa.gov/.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: May 25, 2007.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-10587 Filed 5-31-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.