Advisory Committee for Geosciences; Notice of Meeting, 50413-50414 [E7-17344]

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 50414 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 169 / Friday, August 31, 2007 / Notices Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice, recommendations, and oversight concerning support for research, education, and human resources development in the geosciences. Agenda: October 16 Directorate activities and plans Meeting with the Director (or Representative) Division Subcommittee Meetings Review of COV Reports October 17 Education and Diversity Subcommittee Meeting Joint Session with NSF Advisory Committee on Environmental Research and Education Dated: August 28, 2007. Susanne Bolton, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E7–17344 Filed 8–30–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P Proposal Review Panel for Ocean Sciences; Notice of Meeting sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Name: Plum Island Ecosystems LTER (PIE– LTER) Site Review, Proposal Review Panel for Ocean Sciences (10752). Date and Time: Oct. 10, 2007, 4 p.m.–8 p.m. Oct. 11, 2007, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Oct. 12, 2007, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Place: Ipswich, Massachusetts. Type of Meeting: Partially Closed. For Further Information Contact: Dr. Henry Gholz, Division of Environmental Biology, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone (703) 292–8481. Purpose of Meeting: Formal third-year review of the Plum Island Ecosystem LongTerm Ecological Research project award. Agenda: Monday, 10 October 2007 4–8 p.m. NSF Briefing of the Review Team at Hotel (closed) Tuesday, 11 October 2007 at The PIE–LTER Site Building 8–4 PIE–LTER Project Introduction (open) Overview and Evolution/Partnerships Research Presentations (talks 20 min + questions 5 min) Education and Outreach Information Management Site Management 4–6:45 Reception and Student Posters (open) Meet with graduate students and post-docs 7 Dinner locally (open); review team separate working dinner (closed) Wednesday, 12 October 2007 8–8:30 Review Team assemble for initial feedback and questions (closed). Jkt 211001 BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ACTION: Revised notice of intent (NOI). AGENCY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, as amended), the National Science Foundation announces the following meeting. 00:43 Aug 31, 2007 Dated: August 28, 2007. Susanne Bolton, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E7–17343 Filed 8–30–07; 8:45 am] Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare a Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Uranium Milling Facilities NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION VerDate Aug<31>2005 9–11 Meetings on Administration (closed) 1–4:15 Review Team Report Work Session (closed) 4:30–5:55 Report-out by Review Team (closed) 6 Adjourn Reason for Closing: During closed sessions the review will include information of a confidential nature, including technical and financial information. These matters are exempt under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c), (4) and (6) of the Government in The Sunshine Act. SUMMARY: This notice revises a notice published on July 24, 2007 in the Federal Register (72 FR 141) which informed the public of the NRC’s intent to prepare a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and NRC’s NEPA implementing regulations contained in 10 CFR part 51. The purpose of this revised notice is to (1) Announce that an additional scoping meeting will be held in Gallup, New Mexico on September 27, 2007 and (2) extend the scoping comment period to October 8, 2007. The GEIS will assess the potential environmental impacts associated with uranium recovery at milling facilities employing the in-situ leach (ISL) process. The GEIS may also assess the potential environmental impacts of alternative methods of uranium recovery (including the conventional milling process). DATES: The NRC has recently held public meetings in Casper, Wyoming and Albuquerque, New Mexico as part of the public scoping process required by NEPA. In response to public requests, the public scoping period for the GEIS has been extended to October 8, 2007. Written comments submitted by mail should be postmarked by that date to ensure consideration. Comments mailed after that date will be considered to the extent possible. In addition, the NRC will conduct a third public meeting in Gallup, New PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Mexico to assist in defining the appropriate scope of the GEIS, including the significant environmental issues to be addressed. The meeting date, time and location are listed below: Meeting Date: September 27, 2007, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Meeting Location: Best Western Inn and Suites, 3009 West Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301–6813, Phone (505) 722–2221. For this meeting, members of the NRC staff will be available for informal discussions with members of the public from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The formal meeting and associated NRC presentation will begin at 7 p.m. For planning purposes, those who wish to present oral comments at the meeting are encouraged to pre-register by contacting Carol Walls of the NRC by telephone at 1–800–368–5642, Extension 8028, or by e-mail at CAW@nrc.gov no later than September 21, 2007. Interested persons may also register to speak at the meetings. Depending on the number of speakers, each speaker may be limited in the amount of time allocated for their comments so that all speakers will have an opportunity to offer comments. ADDRESSES: Members of the public and interested parties are invited and encouraged to submit comments to the Chief, Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing Branch, Mail Stop T–6D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001. Also, the NRC encourages comments to be submitted electronically to URLGEIS@nrc.gov. Please refer to the ‘‘Uranium Recovery GEIS’’ when submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the NRC NEPA process, or the environmental review process related to this GEIS, please contact: Paul Michalak, Project Manager, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection (DWMEP), Mail Stop T–8F5, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, by phone at 1–800–368–5642, Extension 7612, or by e-mail at PXM2@nrc.gov, For general or technical information associated with the safety and licensing of uranium milling facilities, please contact: William Von Till, Branch Chief, Uranium Recovery Branch, DWMEP, Mail Stop T–8F5, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, by phone at 1–800– 368–5642, Extension 0598, or by e-mail at RWV@nrc.gov. Information and documents associated with the GEIS are available for public review through the NRC electronic reading room: https:// E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 169 (Friday, August 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50413-50414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17344]


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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.

[[Page 50414]]

    Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice, recommendations, and 
oversight concerning support for research, education, and human 
resources development in the geosciences.
    Agenda:

October 16
    Directorate activities and plans
    Meeting with the Director (or Representative)
    Division Subcommittee Meetings
    Review of COV Reports
October 17
    Education and Diversity Subcommittee Meeting
    Joint Session with NSF Advisory Committee on Environmental 
Research and Education

    Dated: August 28, 2007.
Susanne Bolton,
 Committee Management Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-17344 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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