Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fisheries in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska, 72992-72994 [E7-24951]
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72992
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 26, 2007 / Notices
Verifications
We conducted a sales verfication of
EuroChem from October 22, 2007,
through October 24, 2007. We have
made changes, as appropriate, to
EuroChem’s data to reflect our
verification findings. See the sales
verification report dated November 13,
2007, and the computer programs
attached to the preliminary results
analysis memorandum dated December
17, 2007, for the specific changes we
made. In addition, we intend to conduct
a verfication of EuroChem’s cost
submission after we issue these
preliminary results.
Preliminary Results of Review
As a result of this review, we
preliminarily determine that a dumping
margin of 0.00 percent exists for
EuroChem for the period July 1, 2006,
through December 31, 2006.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Extension of Time Limit for Final
Results of the New-Shipper Review
Section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act
requires the Department to issue the
final results of a new-shipper review of
an antidumping duty order within 90
days after the date the preliminary
determination is issued. The Act
provides further that, if the case is
extraordinarily complicated, the
Department may extend the 90-day
period to 150 days.
We determine that this new-shipper
review is extraordinarily complicated
and that it is not possible to complete
the final results within 90 days of
issuance of these preliminary results.
Specifically, we find that the issues
associated with whether and how to
adjust EuroChem’s natural-gas costs are
extraordinarily complicated.
Therefore, in accordance with section
751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.214(i)(2), we are extending the time
period for issuing the final results of
this review by 60 days to May 15, 2008.
Public Comment
We will disclose the documents
resulting from our analysis to parties in
this review within five days of the date
of publication of this notice. Any
interested party may request a hearing
within 30 days of the publication of this
notice in the Federal Register. If a
hearing is requested, the Department
will notify interested parties of the
hearing schedule.
Interested parties are invited to
comment on the preliminary results of
this review. Because we have not yet
made a determination with respect to
the treatment of costs for natural gas, we
will notify interested parties of the
schedule for filing case briefs and
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17:33 Dec 21, 2007
Jkt 214001
rebuttal briefs after we issue the
decision memorandum, which will
include an explanation of our decision,
a cost calculation, sales-below-cost test,
and margin recalculation.
We intend to issue the final results of
this new-shipper review, including the
results of our analysis of issues raised in
the written comments, within 150 days
after the date on which the preliminary
results are issued. See 19 CFR
351.214(I)(1).
Assessment Rates
The Department shall determine, and
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) shall assess, antidumping duties
on all appropriate entries, in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.212. The Department
will issue assessment instructions for
EuroChem directly to CBP 15 days after
the date of publication of the final
results of this new-shipper review.
Because we found no margin for the
U.S. sale subject to this new-shipper
review, we preliminarily intend to
instruct CBP to liquidate the entry
without regard to antidumping duties. If
we calculate a margin for the U.S. sale
subject to this review for final results of
review, because we have entered the
value of EuroChem’s U.S. sale, we will
calculate an importer-specific
assessment rate based on the ratio of the
total amount of antidumping duties
calculated for the examined sale to the
total entered value of the sale pursuant
to 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1).
The Department clarified its
‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on
May 6, 2003 (68 FR 23954). This
clarification applies to entries of subject
merchandise during the POR produced
by EuroChem where EuroChem did not
know that its merchandise was destined
for the United States. In such instances,
we will instruct CBP to liquidate
unreviewed entries at the all-others rate
if there is no rate for the intermediate
company(ies) involved in the
transaction. For a full discussion of this
clarification, see Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68
FR 23954 (May 6, 2003).
Cash-Deposit Requirements
The following cash-deposit
requirements will be effective for all
shipments of the subject merchandise
entered, or withdrawn from warehouse,
for consumption on or after the
publication date of the final results of
the new-shipper review, as provided by
section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The
cash-deposit rate for EuroChem (i.e., for
subject merchandise both manufactured
and exported by EuroChem) will be that
established in the final results of this
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review, except if the rate is less than
0.50 percent, and therefore, de minimis
within the meaning of 19 CFR
351.106(c)(1), in which case the cashdeposit rate will be zero; (2) for
previously reviewed or investigated
companies not listed above, the cashdeposit rate will continue to be the
company-specific rate published for the
most recent period; (3) if the exporter is
not a firm covered in this review or the
original less-than-fair-value (LTFV)
investigation but the manufacturer is,
the cash-deposit rate will be the rate
established for the most recent period
for the manufacturer of the
merchandise; and (4) the cash-deposit
rate for all other manufacturers or
exporters will continue to be 64.93
percent, the all-others rate established
in the LTFV investigation. See Urea
From the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics; Final Determination of Sales
at Less Than Fair Value, 52 FR 19557
(May 26, 1987). These cash-deposit
rates, when imposed, shall remain in
effect until further notice.
Notification to Importers
This notice also serves as a
preliminary reminder to importers of
their responsibility under 19 CFR
351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate
regarding the reimbursement of
antidumping duties prior to liquidation
of the relevant entries during this
review period. Failure to comply with
this requirement could result in the
Secretary’s presumption that
reimbursement of antidumping duties
occurred and the subsequent assessment
of double antidumping duties.
We are issuing and publishing this
notice in accordance with sections
751(a)(2)(B) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and
19 CFR 351.214.
Dated: December 17, 2007.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary, for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. 07–6155 Filed 12–21–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-D5-M
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE57
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fisheries
in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and
Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 26, 2007 / Notices
Notice; intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement;
request for written comments.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
ACTION:
SUMMARY: NMFS, in consultation with
the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council), announces its intent
to prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
on revisions to Steller sea lion
protection measures, in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (NEPA). The proposed action is
to revise the Steller sea lion protection
measures for the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA) groundfish fisheries. The
scope of the SEIS will be to determine
the impacts to the human environment
resulting from modifications to the
existing protection measures. NMFS
will accept written comments from the
public to determine the issues of
concern and the appropriate range of
management alternatives to be
addressed in the SEIS.
DATES: Written comments must be
received by April 21, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on issues
and alternatives for the SEIS should be
sent to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Comments may be
submitted by
• E-mail: SSL-SEISM@noaa.gov.
Include in the subject line the following
document identifier: SSL SEIS. E-mail
comments, with or without attachments,
are limited to 5 megabytes;
• Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802;
• Hand Delivery to the Federal
Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room
420A, Juneau, AK; or
• Fax: 907–586–7557.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gretchen Harrington, (907) 586–7228 or
gretchen.harrington@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act), the United
States has exclusive fishery
management authority over all living
marine resources found within the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The
management of these marine resources,
with the exception of certain marine
mammals and birds, is vested in the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). The
Council has the responsibility to
prepare fishery management plans for
those marine resources off Alaska
requiring conservation and
management. Management of the
Federal groundfish fishery located off
Alaska in the EEZ is carried out under
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Jkt 214001
the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area and
the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska
(FMPs). These FMPs, their amendments,
and implementing regulations (found at
50 CFR part 679) are developed in
accordance with the requirements of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable Federal laws and executive
orders, notably NEPA and the
Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The Council is considering revising
the Steller sea lion protection measures
for the groundfish fisheries based on
new information available regarding the
potential interactions between Steller
sea lions and groundfish fisheries.
NMFS and the Council have determined
that the preparation of an SEIS may be
required for this action because
revisions to the groundfish fishery
regulations to protect Steller sea lions
may result in significant impacts on the
human environment not previously
analyzed in the Final SEIS for Steller
Sea Lion Protection Measures
(November 2001). Thus, NMFS, in
consultation with the Council, is
initiating scoping for an SEIS in the
event that an SEIS is needed.
NMFS is seeking information from the
public through the SEIS scoping process
on the range of alternatives to be
analyzed; and on the environmental,
social, and economic issues to be
considered in the analysis. Written
comments generated during this scoping
process will be shared with the Council
and incorporated into the SEIS.
The SEIS would be integrated with
the related ESA documents that have
been or are being prepared to address
Steller sea lion issues to avoid
redundancy, while providing a
decision-making document that
analyzes the potential impacts of the
proposed action and its alternatives on
the human environment. Related ESA
documents (biological assessments,
biological opinions, and a draft recovery
plan) and background information are
available on the NMFS Alaska Region
website at https://
stellersealions.noaa.gov/.
The SEIS on revisions to Steller sea
lion protection measures will
supplement the Steller Sea Lion
Protection Measures Final SEIS
(November 2001), which is available on
the NMFS Alaska Region website at
https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/
sustainablefisheries/seis/sslpm/
default.htm.
The preferred alternative for Steller
sea lions protection measures in the
2001 SEIS was the area and fishery
specific approach, which allowed for
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72993
different protection measures specific to
the type of fishery in the Aleutian
Islands, Bering Sea, and Gulf of Alaska.
NMFS implemented the current
protection measures in 2003 (68 FR 204,
January 2, 2003). This approach was a
precautionary response to concerns
about Steller sea lions and was intended
to reduce the economic impact of the
protection measures on participants in
the groundfish fisheries. The protection
measures in the preferred alternative
were determined to neither jeopardize
the continued existence of Steller sea
lions nor adversely modify their
designated critical habitat. Further, this
approach met the Magnuson-Stevens
Act mandates, especially with regards to
safety at sea, minimizing bycatch,
minimizing impacts to fishing
communities, and attaining optimum
yield.
Steller sea lion protection measures
for the groundfish fishery currently
include (1) global harvest controls for
Steller sea lion prey species (pollock,
Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel); (2)
spatial harvest controls specific to prey
species, gear type, and proximity to
rookery, haulout, or forage areas to limit
prey species removal in an area; (3)
temporal harvest controls for pollock,
Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel,
including seasonal apportionments to
limit prey species removal during
certain times of the year; and (4) a vessel
monitoring system requirement for all
vessels (except vessels using jig gear)
fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, or Atka
mackerel.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to revise the
Steller sea lion protection measures for
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and
Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries
based on new information available
regarding the potential interactions
between Steller sea lions and groundfish
fisheries. The purpose of the proposed
action is to maintain adequate
protection for Steller sea lions to avoid
jeopardy of extinction and destruction
or adverse modification of designated
critical habitat under the ESA, while
minimizing to the extent practicable the
impacts to the fishing industry and
coastal communities that result from
complying with the protection
measures. The revisions are necessary to
ensure the best scientific information
available is used to: (1) ensure the
fisheries are not likely to result in
jeopardy of extinction and destruction
or adverse modification of designated
critical habitat; (2) alleviate any
unnecessary restrictions for the fleet to
improve efficiency and ensure economic
viability for the industry; and (3)
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72994
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 246 / Wednesday, December 26, 2007 / Notices
The primary issues to be analyzed are
the effects of the proposed action and its
alternatives on Steller sea lions and
Alternatives
their designated critical habitat.
Additional impacts to the following
The SEIS will evaluate a range of
components of the biological and
alternative management measures for
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and physical environment may be evaluated:
Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries. The (1) other species listed under the ESA
and their critical habitat, and other
Council’s Steller Sea Lion Mitigation
species protected under the Marine
Committee (SSLMC) is reviewing the
Mammal Protection Act; (2) target and
latest scientific information regarding
non-target fish stocks, including forage
Steller sea lions and potential
fish and prohibited species; (3) seabirds;
groundfish fisheries interactions and
and (4) the ecosystem.
developing alternative Steller sea lion
Social and economic impacts also
protection measures. The SSLMC has
would be considered in terms of the
collected proposals from the public for
changes to the Steller sea lion protection effects that changes in the Steller sea
lion protection measures would have on
measures and is scheduled to evaluate
the following groups of individuals: (1)
and prioritize these proposals for
those who participate in harvesting the
Council consideration in June 2008.
After Council consideration, the Council groundfish resources; (2) those who
may recommend management measures process and market groundfish and
groundfish products; (3) those who
to the Secretary for evaluation and
consume groundfish products; (4) those
implementation. Information regarding
the SSLMC and the proposal evaluation who rely on living marine resources in
the management area, particularly
process is available from the Alaska
Steller sea lions, for subsistence needs;
Region website at https://
www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/ (5) those who benefit from nonconsumptive uses of Steller sea lions
sslmc/default.htm.
and other living marine resources; and
Alternatives may include those
(6) fishing communities.
identified here, and those developed
through public scoping, Council, and
Public Involvement
SSLMC processes. Possible alternatives
Scoping is an early and open process
could include one, or a combination of,
for determining the scope of issues to be
the following:
addressed in an Environmental Impact
1.No action – retain the current suite
Statement and for identifying the
of Steller sea lion protection measures
significant issues related to the
as are currently in place for fishing year proposed action. A principal objective
2008.
of the scoping and public involvement
2.Change the current spatial
process is to identify a reasonable range
management of the Atka mackerel,
of management alternatives that, with
pollock, or Pacific cod fisheries in the
adequate analysis, will delineate critical
GOA and/or BSAI by opening or closing issues and provide a clear basis for
areas near Steller sea lion rookeries,
distinguishing between those
haulouts, and/or foraging areas.
alternatives and for selecting a preferred
3.Change the current temporal
alternative. Through this notice, NMFS
management of harvests in the GOA
is notifying the public that an SEIS and
and/or BSAI Atka mackerel, pollock,
decision-making process for this
and/or Pacific cod fisheries.
proposed action has been initiated so
4.Change other management measures that interested or affected people may
that currently apply to the GOA and/or
participate and contribute to the final
BSAI Atka mackerel, pollock, and/or
decision.
NMFS is seeking written public
Pacific cod fisheries, such as changes to
comments on the scope of issues,
gear restrictions or the Aleutian Islands
including potential impacts, and
platoon management system for Atka
alternatives that should be considered
mackerel.
in revising the Steller sea lion
Preliminary Identification of Issues
protection measures. Written comments
will be accepted at the address above
A principal objective of the scoping
(see ADDRESSES). Written comments
and public input process is to identify
potentially significant impacts to the
should be as specific as possible to be
human environment that should be
the most helpful. Written comments
analyzed in the SEIS. The analysis will
received during the scoping process,
evaluate the effects of the alternatives
including the names and addresses of
for all resources, species, and issues that those submitting them, will be
may directly or indirectly interact with
considered part of the public record on
Steller sea lions and the groundfish
this proposal and will be available for
fisheries within the action area.
public inspection.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
minimize potential adverse economic
impacts on coastal communities.
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17:33 Dec 21, 2007
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The public is invited to participate in
the SSLMC meetings and Council
meetings where the latest scientific
information regarding Steller sea lions
and fisheries interactions are being
reviewed and alternative protection
measures are being developed and
evaluated. Future Council and SSLMC
meetings will be noticed in the Federal
Register and on the website at https://
www.fakr.noaa.gov/. Additional
information regarding regulatory, ESA,
and NEPA activities for Steller sea lions
is available at the website at https://
stellersealions.noaa.gov. Please visit this
website for more information on this
SEIS and for guidance on submitting
effective public comments.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 18, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–24951 Filed 12–21–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD93
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fisheries
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for written
comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS, in consultation with
the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council, announces its intent to prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) on salmon bycatch reduction
measures in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI), in
accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The
proposed action would replace the
current Chinook and Chum Salmon
Savings Areas in the BSAI with new
regulatory closures, salmon bycatch
limits, or a combination of both. These
management measures could
incorporate current or new bycatch
reduction methods. The scope of the EIS
will be to determine the impacts to the
human environment resulting from
these salmon bycatch reduction
measures. NMFS will accept written
comments from the public to determine
the issues of concern and the
E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM
26DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72992-72994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24951]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE57
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish
Fisheries in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
[[Page 72993]]
ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare an environmental impact statement;
request for written comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS, in consultation with the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council), announces its intent to prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on revisions to
Steller sea lion protection measures, in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The proposed action is to
revise the Steller sea lion protection measures for the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish
fisheries. The scope of the SEIS will be to determine the impacts to
the human environment resulting from modifications to the existing
protection measures. NMFS will accept written comments from the public
to determine the issues of concern and the appropriate range of
management alternatives to be addressed in the SEIS.
DATES: Written comments must be received by April 21, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on issues and alternatives for the SEIS
should be sent to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator,
Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen
Sebastian. Comments may be submitted by
E-mail: SSL-SEISM@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line
the following document identifier: SSL SEIS. E-mail comments, with or
without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes;
Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802;
Hand Delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th
Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK; or
Fax: 907-586-7557.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Harrington, (907) 586-7228
or gretchen.harrington@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the United
States has exclusive fishery management authority over all living
marine resources found within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The
management of these marine resources, with the exception of certain
marine mammals and birds, is vested in the Secretary of Commerce
(Secretary). The Council has the responsibility to prepare fishery
management plans for those marine resources off Alaska requiring
conservation and management. Management of the Federal groundfish
fishery located off Alaska in the EEZ is carried out under the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska (FMPs). These FMPs, their amendments, and implementing
regulations (found at 50 CFR part 679) are developed in accordance with
the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable
Federal laws and executive orders, notably NEPA and the Endangered
Species Act (ESA).
The Council is considering revising the Steller sea lion protection
measures for the groundfish fisheries based on new information
available regarding the potential interactions between Steller sea
lions and groundfish fisheries. NMFS and the Council have determined
that the preparation of an SEIS may be required for this action because
revisions to the groundfish fishery regulations to protect Steller sea
lions may result in significant impacts on the human environment not
previously analyzed in the Final SEIS for Steller Sea Lion Protection
Measures (November 2001). Thus, NMFS, in consultation with the Council,
is initiating scoping for an SEIS in the event that an SEIS is needed.
NMFS is seeking information from the public through the SEIS
scoping process on the range of alternatives to be analyzed; and on the
environmental, social, and economic issues to be considered in the
analysis. Written comments generated during this scoping process will
be shared with the Council and incorporated into the SEIS.
The SEIS would be integrated with the related ESA documents that
have been or are being prepared to address Steller sea lion issues to
avoid redundancy, while providing a decision-making document that
analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed action and its
alternatives on the human environment. Related ESA documents
(biological assessments, biological opinions, and a draft recovery
plan) and background information are available on the NMFS Alaska
Region website at https://stellersealions.noaa.gov/.
The SEIS on revisions to Steller sea lion protection measures will
supplement the Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures Final SEIS
(November 2001), which is available on the NMFS Alaska Region website
at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/seis/sslpm/
default.htm.
The preferred alternative for Steller sea lions protection measures
in the 2001 SEIS was the area and fishery specific approach, which
allowed for different protection measures specific to the type of
fishery in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and Gulf of Alaska. NMFS
implemented the current protection measures in 2003 (68 FR 204, January
2, 2003). This approach was a precautionary response to concerns about
Steller sea lions and was intended to reduce the economic impact of the
protection measures on participants in the groundfish fisheries. The
protection measures in the preferred alternative were determined to
neither jeopardize the continued existence of Steller sea lions nor
adversely modify their designated critical habitat. Further, this
approach met the Magnuson-Stevens Act mandates, especially with regards
to safety at sea, minimizing bycatch, minimizing impacts to fishing
communities, and attaining optimum yield.
Steller sea lion protection measures for the groundfish fishery
currently include (1) global harvest controls for Steller sea lion prey
species (pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel); (2) spatial harvest
controls specific to prey species, gear type, and proximity to rookery,
haulout, or forage areas to limit prey species removal in an area; (3)
temporal harvest controls for pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel,
including seasonal apportionments to limit prey species removal during
certain times of the year; and (4) a vessel monitoring system
requirement for all vessels (except vessels using jig gear) fishing for
pollock, Pacific cod, or Atka mackerel.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to revise the Steller sea lion protection
measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska
groundfish fisheries based on new information available regarding the
potential interactions between Steller sea lions and groundfish
fisheries. The purpose of the proposed action is to maintain adequate
protection for Steller sea lions to avoid jeopardy of extinction and
destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat
under the ESA, while minimizing to the extent practicable the impacts
to the fishing industry and coastal communities that result from
complying with the protection measures. The revisions are necessary to
ensure the best scientific information available is used to: (1) ensure
the fisheries are not likely to result in jeopardy of extinction and
destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat; (2)
alleviate any unnecessary restrictions for the fleet to improve
efficiency and ensure economic viability for the industry; and (3)
[[Page 72994]]
minimize potential adverse economic impacts on coastal communities.
Alternatives
The SEIS will evaluate a range of alternative management measures
for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish
fisheries. The Council's Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee (SSLMC)
is reviewing the latest scientific information regarding Steller sea
lions and potential groundfish fisheries interactions and developing
alternative Steller sea lion protection measures. The SSLMC has
collected proposals from the public for changes to the Steller sea lion
protection measures and is scheduled to evaluate and prioritize these
proposals for Council consideration in June 2008. After Council
consideration, the Council may recommend management measures to the
Secretary for evaluation and implementation. Information regarding the
SSLMC and the proposal evaluation process is available from the Alaska
Region website at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/sslmc/
default.htm.
Alternatives may include those identified here, and those developed
through public scoping, Council, and SSLMC processes. Possible
alternatives could include one, or a combination of, the following:
1.No action - retain the current suite of Steller sea lion
protection measures as are currently in place for fishing year 2008.
2.Change the current spatial management of the Atka mackerel,
pollock, or Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA and/or BSAI by opening or
closing areas near Steller sea lion rookeries, haulouts, and/or
foraging areas.
3.Change the current temporal management of harvests in the GOA
and/or BSAI Atka mackerel, pollock, and/or Pacific cod fisheries.
4.Change other management measures that currently apply to the GOA
and/or BSAI Atka mackerel, pollock, and/or Pacific cod fisheries, such
as changes to gear restrictions or the Aleutian Islands platoon
management system for Atka mackerel.
Preliminary Identification of Issues
A principal objective of the scoping and public input process is to
identify potentially significant impacts to the human environment that
should be analyzed in the SEIS. The analysis will evaluate the effects
of the alternatives for all resources, species, and issues that may
directly or indirectly interact with Steller sea lions and the
groundfish fisheries within the action area.
The primary issues to be analyzed are the effects of the proposed
action and its alternatives on Steller sea lions and their designated
critical habitat. Additional impacts to the following components of the
biological and physical environment may be evaluated: (1) other species
listed under the ESA and their critical habitat, and other species
protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act; (2) target and non-
target fish stocks, including forage fish and prohibited species; (3)
seabirds; and (4) the ecosystem.
Social and economic impacts also would be considered in terms of
the effects that changes in the Steller sea lion protection measures
would have on the following groups of individuals: (1) those who
participate in harvesting the groundfish resources; (2) those who
process and market groundfish and groundfish products; (3) those who
consume groundfish products; (4) those who rely on living marine
resources in the management area, particularly Steller sea lions, for
subsistence needs; (5) those who benefit from non-consumptive uses of
Steller sea lions and other living marine resources; and (6) fishing
communities.
Public Involvement
Scoping is an early and open process for determining the scope of
issues to be addressed in an Environmental Impact Statement and for
identifying the significant issues related to the proposed action. A
principal objective of the scoping and public involvement process is to
identify a reasonable range of management alternatives that, with
adequate analysis, will delineate critical issues and provide a clear
basis for distinguishing between those alternatives and for selecting a
preferred alternative. Through this notice, NMFS is notifying the
public that an SEIS and decision-making process for this proposed
action has been initiated so that interested or affected people may
participate and contribute to the final decision.
NMFS is seeking written public comments on the scope of issues,
including potential impacts, and alternatives that should be considered
in revising the Steller sea lion protection measures. Written comments
will be accepted at the address above (see ADDRESSES). Written comments
should be as specific as possible to be the most helpful. Written
comments received during the scoping process, including the names and
addresses of those submitting them, will be considered part of the
public record on this proposal and will be available for public
inspection.
The public is invited to participate in the SSLMC meetings and
Council meetings where the latest scientific information regarding
Steller sea lions and fisheries interactions are being reviewed and
alternative protection measures are being developed and evaluated.
Future Council and SSLMC meetings will be noticed in the Federal
Register and on the website at https://www.fakr.noaa.gov/. Additional
information regarding regulatory, ESA, and NEPA activities for Steller
sea lions is available at the website at https://
stellersealions.noaa.gov. Please visit this website for more
information on this SEIS and for guidance on submitting effective
public comments.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 18, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24951 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
