Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Exempted Fishing Permits, 44834-44835 [E7-15511]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 153 / Thursday, August 9, 2007 / Notices
community organizations, Indian Treaty
Tribes, the states, and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, which operates the
dam. Under section 120, within 60 days,
and after reviewing public comments in
response to the Federal Register notice,
the Task Force shall:
(1) Recommend to NMFS whether to
approve or deny the proposed
intentional lethal taking of pinnipeds,
including along with the
recommendation a description of the
specific pinniped individuals, the
proposed location, time and method of
such taking, criteria for evaluating the
success of the action and the duration
of the intentional lethal taking
authority; and
(2) Suggest non-lethal alternatives, if
available and practicable, including a
recommended course of action.
In considering whether to recommend
approval or disapproval of the states’
application the Task Force is to
consider:
(1) Population trends, feeding habits,
the location of the pinniped interaction,
how and when the interaction occurs,
and how many individual pinnipeds are
involved;
(2) Past efforts to deter such
pinnipeds, and whether the applicant
has demonstrated that no feasible and
prudent alternatives exist and that the
applicant has taken all reasonable nonlethal steps without success;
(3) The extent to which such
pinnipeds are causing undue injury to,
or imbalance with, other species in the
ecosystem, including fish populations;
and
(4) The extent to which such
pinnipeds are exhibiting behavior that
presents an ongoing threat to public
safety.
All Task Force meetings will be open
to the public, but the public will not be
allowed to discuss or debate issues with
Task Force members at the meetings.
NMFS intends to have a predesignated,
limited amount of time at the Task
Force’s first meeting and, if practicable,
at subsequent meetings, to allow the
public to provide new or relevant
information that may assist the Task
Force in its deliberations. Subsequent
meetings will be determined by the Task
Force. Public notice of subsequent
meetings of the Task Force will be
announced through NOAA Press
Releases and postings on the NMFS
Northwest Region website (see
Electronic Access). The public may
contact the NOAA Public Affairs Office
in Seattle at 206–526–6172 to obtain
more detailed information on the Task
Force meeting dates, times and
locations.
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18:25 Aug 08, 2007
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Within 60 days of its first meeting, the
Task Force is to provide
recommendations based on its review of
the available information as listed in the
statute and outlined above, comments
received from the public and full
discussion of alternatives for addressing
the pinniped-fishery interaction below
Bonneville Dam. The Task Force will be
asked to develop recommendations that
document the points of consensus
reached by the group as well as
reporting the alternate points of view
when consensus is not reached. All
recommendations submitted by the Task
Force should fairly reflect the full range
of opinion and diversity of the group.
To enhance this process, NMFS has
contracted with a professional facilitator
to manage the Task Force, record
meeting notes, and assist the group in
assembling its recommendations.
The Task Force should address those
considerations outlined above in
formulating its recommendations. In
addition, NMFS will request that the
Task Force answer the following
questions when preparing its
recommendation for approval or
disapproval of the states’ application to
lethally remove pinnipeds.
1. What criteria does the Task Force
recommend to assist NMFS in the
interpretation of ‘‘significant negative
impact’’ and the extent to which
pinnipeds are causing undue injury or
impact to, or imbalance with listed
species?
2. If available and practicable, what
non-lethal measures does the Task Force
recommend be taken prior to
implementing lethal removal?
3. If lethal removal is included in its
recommendations, what criteria did the
Task Force use to individually identify
the specific animals to be removed and
which animals meet those criteria at the
time the Task Force completed its
deliberations?
4. If lethal removal is included in its
recommendations, does the Task Force
recommend a limit to the number of sea
lions that may be removed and if so
what is the justification for that limit?
5. If lethal removal is included in its
recommendations, what limitations (if
any) would the Task Force recommend
on timing, location, take methods or
duration of the authorization?
6. For purposes of postimplementation evaluation, what
criteria does the Task Force recommend
for evaluating whether the
implementation of the Task Force
recommendations has been successful
in addressing the pinniped-fishery
interaction?
7. Regardless of the outcome of this
process, what might be the most
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effective means to achieve a long-term
resolution to the pinniped-fishery
conflict?
Once the Task Force has completed
its deliberations and submitted its
recommendations, NMFS will
determine a course of action informed
by the Task Force recommendations.
The ultimate decision to approve or
deny the states’ application, and any
terms or conditions applied to any
approval, lies solely with NMFS.
If the application for lethal removal
authority is approved, the MMPA
requires that the Task Force evaluate the
effectiveness of the permitted
intentional lethal taking or alternative
actions implemented. Accordingly, the
Task Force may need to meet again after
actions to address the pinniped-fishery
interaction have been implemented. If
implementation is found to be
ineffective in eliminating the problem
interaction, NMFS will ask the Task
Force to recommend additional actions.
If the implementation is effective, the
Task Force shall so advise NMFS and
the Task Force will be disbanded.
In accordance with the MMPA, upon
receipt of the recommendations from
the Task Force, NMFS will have 30 days
to decide whether to approve or deny
the states’ application for lethal
removal. Notice of NMFS’ final decision
will be published in the Federal
Register.
Dated: August 3, 2007.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–15516 Filed 8–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XB84
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
(HMS); Exempted Fishing Permits
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is not issuing, at this
time, an exempted fishing permit (EFP)
requested by Blue Water Fishermen’s
Association to collect data on the
performance of circle hooks with regard
to target catch and bycatch rates, among
other variables, associated with pelagic
longline (PLL) fishing activities inside
the existing Charleston Bump and
Florida East Coast PLL closed areas.
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09AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 153 / Thursday, August 9, 2007 / Notices
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
NMFS is investigating additional means
of obtaining this data.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Russell Dunn, 727–824–5399; fax: 727–
824–5398; or Chris Rilling, 301–713–
2347; fax: 301–713–1917.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are
requested and issued under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or the
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16
U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Regulations at 50
CFR 600.745 and 50 CFR 635.32 govern
scientific research activity, exempted
fishing, and exempted educational
activity with respect to Atlantic Highly
Migratory Species.
The Blue Water Fishermen’s
Association requested exemptions from
certain regulations applicable to the
harvest and landing of Atlantic HMS in
order to collect data on the performance
of mandatory circle hooks with regard to
target catch and bycatch rates, hooking
location, and mortality of fish at haul
back. The proposal included data
collection in the existing Charleston
Bump and Florida East Coast pelagic
longline closed areas. After considering
public comment received, as requested
in the Federal Register (72 FR 11327,
March 13, 2007 );(72 FR 18208, April
11, 2007); (72 FR 25748, May, 7, 2007),
the Agency has decided not to issue a
permit as requested by the current
application. Specifically, the proposal
did not discuss anticipated effort levels
or the spatio-temporal distribution of
effort, did not identify ‘‘control’’ fishing
locations, and did not justify the
number of vessels proposed to
participate in the fishery. Absence of
this information limits the ability of the
Agency to evaluate the potential
effectiveness of the data collection
program and to analyze its impacts.
NMFS supports collecting such data
under controlled circumstances and as
part of a program with a scientifically
rigorous study design. These data are
critical to evaluating the efficacy of
bycatch mitigation efforts, including
required bycatch reduction gears and
time/area closures in the Atlantic
pelagic longline fishery. As such, NMFS
is actively considering under what
circumstances and how best to conduct
scientific research that is necessary to
evaluate the effectiveness of current
bycatch reduction measures.
Dated: August 3, 2007.
Alan Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–15511 Filed 8–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program, Scientific
Advisory Board
Department of Defense.
Notice of open meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This Notice is published in
accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463). The topic of the meeting on
September 11–13, 2007 are to review
new start and continuing research and
development projects requesting
Strategic Environmental Research and
Development Program funds in excess
of $1M. This meeting is open to the
public. Any interested person may
attend, appear before, or file statements
with the Scientific Advisory Board at
the time and in the manner permitted by
the Board.
DATES: September 11–12, 2007 from 9
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and September 13 from
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
ADDRESSES: SERDP Program Office
Conference Center, 901 North Stuart
Street, Suite 804, Arlington, VA 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Sharee Malcolm, SERDP Program Office,
901 North Stuart Street, Suite 303,
Arlington, VA or by telephone at (703)
696–2119.
Dated: August 3, 2007.
C.R. Choate,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 07–3880 Filed 8–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Intent To Modify a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for Water
Conservation Area 3
Decompartmentalization and Sheetflow Enhancement in Broward County,
FL
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of intent; modification.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville District,
previously published a Notice of Intent
(NOI) to prepare an integrated Project
Implementation Report/Environmental
Impact Statement (PIR/EIS) for the
Water Conservation Area 3
Decompartmentalization and Sheet-flow
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Sfmt 4703
44835
Enhancement Project (DECOMP), Part 1
on December 4, 2003 (68 FR 67841).
Following publication of the NOI, the
scope of this initial part of DECOMP
was altered to focus specifically on the
alternatives to reduce barriers to sheetflow within WCA 3A. Modification of
eastern Tamiami Trail, south of WCA 3,
will be considered in future efforts. The
project’s collaborator, intent,
authorization, plan formulation process,
and issues to be addressed remain as
described in the original NOI.
DATES: The meeting dates are:
1. August 21, 2007, 6 p.m. to 8:30
p.m., West Palm Beach, FL.
2. August 23, 2007, 6 p.m. to 8:30
p.m., Pembroke Pines, FL.
ADDRESSES: The meeting locations are:
1. South Florida Water Management
District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West
Palm Beach, FL 33406.
2. Southwest Regional Library, 16835
Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines, FL
33331.
U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Planning
Division, Environmental Branch, P.O.
Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232–0019;
Attn: Mr. Ernest Clarke or by telephone
at 904–232–1199 or e-mail at
ernest.clarke@saj02.usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
a. Authorization: Section 601 of the
Water Resources Development Act of
2000 (Pub. L. 106–541) authorized the
implementation of the DECOMP Project.
b. Study Area: The study area
includes the WCA 3 and the northeast
section of Everglades National Park, in
Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
While the project area and area of
anticipated benefits is located almost
entirely within WCA 3A, the potential
area of impacts is broader. Therefore,
the study area considered in the report
will extend from the southern end of
Lake Okeechobee to the north through
WCA 3A and 3B to just south of the
Tamiami Trail (US 41).
c. Project Scope: The scope includes
conducting an assessment of the study
area and continuing plans for restoring
sheet flow through WCA 3A. The
evaluation of the alternatives and
selection of a recommended plan will be
documented in the PIR/DEIS. The
alternative plans will be reviewed under
provisions of appropriate laws and
regulations, including the Endangered
Species Act, Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act, Clean Water Act, and
Farmland Protection Policy Act.
d. Preliminary Alternatives: The study
includes two components of the Central
& South Florida Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan: Backfilling
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 153 (Thursday, August 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44834-44835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15511]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XB84
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Exempted Fishing Permits
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is not issuing, at this time, an exempted fishing permit
(EFP) requested by Blue Water Fishermen's Association to collect data
on the performance of circle hooks with regard to target catch and
bycatch rates, among other variables, associated with pelagic longline
(PLL) fishing activities inside the existing Charleston Bump and
Florida East Coast PLL closed areas.
[[Page 44835]]
NMFS is investigating additional means of obtaining this data.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russell Dunn, 727-824-5399; fax: 727-
824-5398; or Chris Rilling, 301-713-2347; fax: 301-713-1917.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EFPs are requested and issued under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and/or the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act
(16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). Regulations at 50 CFR 600.745 and 50 CFR
635.32 govern scientific research activity, exempted fishing, and
exempted educational activity with respect to Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species.
The Blue Water Fishermen's Association requested exemptions from
certain regulations applicable to the harvest and landing of Atlantic
HMS in order to collect data on the performance of mandatory circle
hooks with regard to target catch and bycatch rates, hooking location,
and mortality of fish at haul back. The proposal included data
collection in the existing Charleston Bump and Florida East Coast
pelagic longline closed areas. After considering public comment
received, as requested in the Federal Register (72 FR 11327, March 13,
2007 );(72 FR 18208, April 11, 2007); (72 FR 25748, May, 7, 2007), the
Agency has decided not to issue a permit as requested by the current
application. Specifically, the proposal did not discuss anticipated
effort levels or the spatio-temporal distribution of effort, did not
identify ``control'' fishing locations, and did not justify the number
of vessels proposed to participate in the fishery. Absence of this
information limits the ability of the Agency to evaluate the potential
effectiveness of the data collection program and to analyze its
impacts.
NMFS supports collecting such data under controlled circumstances
and as part of a program with a scientifically rigorous study design.
These data are critical to evaluating the efficacy of bycatch
mitigation efforts, including required bycatch reduction gears and
time/area closures in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. As such,
NMFS is actively considering under what circumstances and how best to
conduct scientific research that is necessary to evaluate the
effectiveness of current bycatch reduction measures.
Dated: August 3, 2007.
Alan Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15511 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
