Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education; Notice of Meeting, 50413 [E7-17342]

Download as PDF sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 169 / Friday, August 31, 2007 / Notices the requirements of Executive Order 12114, ‘‘Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions’’. Alternatives addressed in this EA consist of a corresponding seismic survey at a different time, along with issuance of an associated IHA; and the no action alternative, with no IHA and no seismic survey. Numerous species of marine mammals occur off Central America. Several of the cetacean species are listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), including humpback, sei, fin, blue, and sperm whales. In addition, the endangered West Indian manatee is known to occur in shallow waters along the Caribbean coast of Central America. Sea turtle species known to occur in Central America include the endangered leatherback and hawksbill turtles, the threatened loggerhead turtle, the green turtle (considered endangered in the breeding colony of Florida and the Pacific coast of Mexico and threatened elsewhere), and the olive ridley turtle (designated as endangered in the breeding colony of the Pacific coast of Mexico and threatened elsewhere). The Kemp’s ridley turtle may also occur in the Caribbean. The potential impacts of the seismic surveys would be primarily a result of the operation of airguns, although a multi-beam sonar and a sub-bottom profiler will also be operated. Impacts may include increased marine noise and resultant avoidance behavior by marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish; and other forms of disturbance. The operations of the project vessel during the study would also a minor increase in the amount of vessel traffic. An integral part of the planned survey is a monitoring and mitigation program designed to minimize the impacts of the proposed activities on marine mammals and sea turtles that may be present during the proposed research, and to document the nature and extent of any effects. Injurious impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles have not been proven to occur near airgun arrays; however the planned monitoring and mitigation measures would minimize the possibility of such effects should they otherwise occur. Protection measures designed to mitigate the potential environmental impacts will include the following: A minimum of one dedicated marine mammal observer maintaining a visual watch during all daytime airgun operations, and two observers for 30 min before start up. A passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) array will be monitored 24 h per day while at the survey area during airgun operations VerDate Aug<31>2005 00:43 Aug 31, 2007 Jkt 211001 and during most times when the Langseth is underway while the airguns are not operating. The use of ramp-up, as well as implementation of powerdown or shut-down procedures when animals approach a designated exclusion zone (EZ) are also important mitigation measures. LDEO and its contractors are committed to apply those measures in order to minimize disturbance of marine mammals and sea turtles, and also to minimize the risk of injuries or of other environmental impacts. With the planned monitoring and mitigation measures, unavoidable impacts to each of the species of marine mammal that might be encountered are expected to be limited to short-term localized changes in behavior and distribution near the seismic vessel. At most, such effects may be interpreted as falling within the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) definition of ‘‘Level B Harassment’’ for those species managed by NMFS. No long-term or significant effects are expected on individual marine mammals, or the populations to which they belong, or their habitats. The agency is currently consulting with the NMFS regarding species within their jurisdiction potentially affected by this proposed activity. Copies of the draft EA, titled ‘‘Environmental Assessment of a Marine Geophysical Survey by the R/V Marcus G. Langseth off Central America, January–March 2008,’’ are available upon request from: Dr. William Lang, National Science Foundation, Division of Ocean Sciences, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 725, Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: (703) 292–7857 or at the agency’s Web site at: https:// www.nsf.gov/geo/oce/pubs/ MGI_Central_America_2008_EA.pdf. The NSF invites interested members of the public to provide written comments on this draft EA. Dated: August 27, 2007. Dr. Alexander Shor, Program Director, Oceanographic Instrumentation and Technical Services, Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 07–4267 Filed 8–30–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–M NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education; Notice of Meeting In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, as amended), the National Science PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50413 Foundation announces the following meeting: Name: Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education (9487). Dates: October 17, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and October 18, 2007, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Place: Stafford I, Room 1235, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia 22230. Type of Meeting: Open. For Further Information Contact: Alan Tessier, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 635, Arlington, Virginia 22230, Phone: 703–292–7198. If you are attending the meeting and need access to the NSF, please contact the individual listed above so your name may be added to the building access list. Minutes: May be obtained from the contact person listed above. Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice, recommendations, and oversight concerning support for environmental research and education. Agenda: October 17 Introduction of New Members Update on recent NSF environmental activities Joint Session with NSF Advisory Committee on Geosciences October 18 Discussion of Future AC/ERE activities Meeting with the Director (or Representative) Establishment of AC/ERE Task Groups Dated: August 28, 2007. Susanne Bolton, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E7–17342 Filed 8–30–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Advisory Committee for Geosciences; Notice of Meeting In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, as amended), the National Science Foundation announces the following meeting: Name: Advisory Committee for Geosciences (1755). Dates: October 17, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and October 18, 2007, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Place: Stafford I, Room 375, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia 22230. Type of Meeting: Open. For Further Information Contact: Melissa Lane, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 705, Arlington, Virginia 22230, Phone: 703–292–8500. If you are attending the meeting and need access to the NSF, please contact the individual listed above so your name may be added to the building access list. Minutes: May be obtained from the contact person listed above. E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 169 (Friday, August 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 50413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17342]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education; 
Notice of Meeting

    In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-
463, as amended), the National Science Foundation announces the 
following meeting:

    Name: Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and 
Education (9487).
    Dates: October 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and October 18, 2007, 9 a.m.-
2:30 p.m.
    Place: Stafford I, Room 1235, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia 22230.
    Type of Meeting: Open.
    For Further Information Contact: Alan Tessier, National Science 
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 635, Arlington, Virginia 22230, 
Phone: 703-292-7198.
    If you are attending the meeting and need access to the NSF, 
please contact the individual listed above so your name may be added 
to the building access list.
    Minutes: May be obtained from the contact person listed above.
    Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice, recommendations, and 
oversight concerning support for environmental research and 
education.
    Agenda:
October 17
    Introduction of New Members
    Update on recent NSF environmental activities
    Joint Session with NSF Advisory Committee on Geosciences
October 18
    Discussion of Future AC/ERE activities
    Meeting with the Director (or Representative)
    Establishment of AC/ERE Task Groups


    Dated: August 28, 2007.
Susanne Bolton,
 Committee Management Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-17342 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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