Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper and Grouper Off the Southern Atlantic States, 61396-61397 [E8-24541]

Download as PDF 61396 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 201 / Thursday, October 16, 2008 / Notices Dated: October 7, 2008. Robert J. Leaverton, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. E8–24262 Filed 10–15–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–ES–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests; Santa Rosa Ranger District; Martin Basin Rangeland Management Project Forest Service, USDA. Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Corrected. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Santa Rosa Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to authorize continued livestock grazing on National Forest System (NFS) lands within the boundaries administered by the Santa Rosa Ranger District. The Project Area is located in Humboldt County, Nevada. The preparation of this EIS is needed because the Record of Decision issued on June 2, 2006, for the Martin Basin Rangeland Management Project was appealed, and following review, the decision was reversed. A new EIS is being prepared to completely replace the Draft EIS released in 2004 and the Final EIS released in 2005. DATES: The new Draft EIS is expected to be released for public review and comment in December of 2008 and the new Final EIS is expected to be released in February of 2009. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Jose Noriega, District Ranger, Santa Rosa Ranger District, 1200 East Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: For further information, mail correspondence to or contact Jose Noriega, District Ranger, Santa Rosa Ranger District, 1200 East Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445. The telephone number is: 775–623-5025, extension 5. E-mail address is: jnoriega@fs.fed.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Initiation of the Martin Basin Rangeland Project began in 2002 with the original Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2002 (Vol. 67, Number 250). The Draft EIS was released in May of 2004 for a 135 day comment period. The Final EIS was released in June of 2005 and a 45 day comment period was also provided at that time. The Record of Decision for this project was issued on June 2, 2006, by then Forest Supervisor, Robert L. Vaught. The Record of Decision for the Martin Basin Rangeland Project was appealed to the Intermountain Regional Forester. On September 6, 2006, the Regional Forester issued a decision on the appeal and remanded the decision back to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest for additional analysis. A Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2007 (Vol. 72, Number 37). That NOI estimated that the Draft Supplemental EIS would be released for review and comment on April 2007 and the Final Supplemental EIS would be completed by July 2007. This Corrected NOI provides notice that a new EIS is being prepared instead of a supplement to the 2005 Final EIS. This notice also updates the estimated dates for release of the new Draft and Final EISs, and provides additional information on the Proposed Action and Possible Alternatives. Proposed Action The Proposed Action, as outlined in the Final ETS released in 2005, will be refined and include additional details. Specifically, the Proposed Action would reduce the maximum utilization on forage to 45 percent for riparian areas and 50 percent for uplands. It would also apply a set of proper use criteria (for example, utilization, streambank disturbance) to each allotment based on its ecological condition (functioning, functioning-at-risk, or non-functioning). The ecological condition of the allotments would continue to be evaluated through a long-term monitoring process. If long-term monitoring indicates the ecological condition of the allotment has changed, then the set of proper use criteria associated with that ecological condition would be applied to the allotment. Possible Alternatives In addition to the Proposed Action, two additional alternatives have been identified from analysis in the EIS: 1. Current Management Alternative: Continue current grazing management. 2. No Grazing Alternative: Do not issue new grazing permits when existing permits expire. Scoping Process The scoping period for this EIS was formally initiated in December of 2002 when the original Notice of Intent for this project was published in the Federal Register (December 30, 2002; volume 67, Number 250). While no additional scoping periods are planned prior to the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, those wishing to submit comments may do so at the address listed above for District Ranger Jose Noriega. Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review A new Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the new Draft EIS will be 45 days from the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency’s preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer’s ability to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 22.3) Dated: September 19, 2008. Edward C. Monnig, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. E8–24366 Filed 10–15–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XL03 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper and Grouper Off the Southern Atlantic States National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 201 / Thursday, October 16, 2008 / Notices Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the Gulf Fishermen’s Association. If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicants, with certain conditions, to collect limited numbers of undersized and out– of–season reef fish in Gulf of Mexico Federal waters. It would also allow a limited number of red snapper to be collected outside the Gulf of Mexico Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. This study is intended to provide detailed information and disposition of reef fish discards by the eastern Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish fishery. DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on November 17, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the following methods: • E–mail: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the e–mail comment the following document identifier: ‘‘GFAlEFP’’. • Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. • Fax: 727–824–5308. The application and related documents are available for review upon written request to any of the above addresses. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, 727–824–5305; fax: 727– 824–5308; e–mail: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted fishing. The described research is part of a Cooperative Research Program Grant (Cooperative Agreement No. NA08NMF4540401). The Cooperative Research Program is a means of involving commercial and recreational fishermen in the collection of fundamental fisheries information. Resource collection efforts support the development and evaluation of fisheries management and regulatory options. The proposed collection for scientific research involves activities otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The applicants require authorization to harvest and possess undersized and out–of–season snapper and grouper for scientific research activities during a 1-year period beginning late in 2008. It would also allow the applicants to land red snapper outside of the current IFQ program over this same time period. Specimens would be collected from Federal waters off the west coast of Florida, in three geographical areas: NMFS’ Gulf of Mexico statistical grids 2–4, 5–7, and 8– 10. Sampling would occur during normal fishing operations of the commercial reef fish longline and vertical hook–and–line fishery. The applicant intends to use 10 longline and 10 vertical hook–and–line gear vessels to randomly collect up to 300 reef fish from each of the three geographical areas. The applicant also intends to retain 100 percent of the catch during two fishing trips within each of three geographical areas. Fish from these portions of the study will be provided to NMFS personnel for length and life history information to better characterize the discards in the commercial fishery. Finally, the applicants will use logbooks and video monitors to test methods for real–time catch reporting and at–sea observation. Data collections for this study would support improved information about the catch, bycatch, discards, and discard mortality for reef fish species. Accurate estimates of bycatch and the level of discards is a persistent problem for assessing Gulf of Mexico reef fish stocks. Using fisheries dependant data accompanied by independent video monitoring would help establish reliability of current bycatch information and provide a higher level of confidence from various constituents interested in this fishery. Additionally, this information would assist fishery managers in developing more effective regulations to reduce bycatch and discard mortality. NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. Based on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue an EFP. Possible conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of conducting research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, or special management zones, without additional authorization. Additionally, NMFS may prohibit the possession of Nassau or goliath grouper, and require any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of fishing or scientific research activities to be handled with due care to prevent injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and returned to the water. A final decision on issuance 61397 of the EFP will depend on a NMFS review of public comments received on the application, consultations with the affected states, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 9, 2008. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–24541 Filed 10–15–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XL19 Marine Mammals; File No. 13614 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Sea World, Inc., 9205 South Park Circle, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819, has applied in due form for a permit to import one pilot whale (Globicephala melas) for the purposes of public display. DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before November 17, 2008. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East–West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 713–2289; fax (301) 427–2521; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001; fax (562)980–4018. Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East–West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular request would be appropriate. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427–2521, provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 201 (Thursday, October 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61396-61397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24541]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XL03


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper and Grouper Off the Southern Atlantic States

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 61397]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of an application for an exempted fishing 
permit; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP) from the Gulf Fishermen's Association. If granted, 
the EFP would authorize the applicants, with certain conditions, to 
collect limited numbers of undersized and out-of-season reef fish in 
Gulf of Mexico Federal waters. It would also allow a limited number of 
red snapper to be collected outside the Gulf of Mexico Individual 
Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. This study is intended to provide detailed 
information and disposition of reef fish discards by the eastern Gulf 
of Mexico commercial reef fish fishery.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern time, on 
November 17, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the application by any of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line 
of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: ``GFA--EFP''.
     Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13\th\ Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
     Fax: 727-824-5308.
    The application and related documents are available for review upon 
written request to any of the above addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, 727-824-5305; fax: 727-
824-5308; e-mail: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EFP is requested under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), and regulations at 50 CFR 600.745(b) concerning exempted 
fishing.
    The described research is part of a Cooperative Research Program 
Grant (Cooperative Agreement No. NA08NMF4540401). The Cooperative 
Research Program is a means of involving commercial and recreational 
fishermen in the collection of fundamental fisheries information. 
Resource collection efforts support the development and evaluation of 
fisheries management and regulatory options.
    The proposed collection for scientific research involves activities 
otherwise prohibited by regulations implementing the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The applicants 
require authorization to harvest and possess undersized and out-of-
season snapper and grouper for scientific research activities during a 
1-year period beginning late in 2008. It would also allow the 
applicants to land red snapper outside of the current IFQ program over 
this same time period. Specimens would be collected from Federal waters 
off the west coast of Florida, in three geographical areas: NMFS' Gulf 
of Mexico statistical grids 2-4, 5-7, and 8-10. Sampling would occur 
during normal fishing operations of the commercial reef fish longline 
and vertical hook-and-line fishery. The applicant intends to use 10 
longline and 10 vertical hook-and-line gear vessels to randomly collect 
up to 300 reef fish from each of the three geographical areas. The 
applicant also intends to retain 100 percent of the catch during two 
fishing trips within each of three geographical areas. Fish from these 
portions of the study will be provided to NMFS personnel for length and 
life history information to better characterize the discards in the 
commercial fishery. Finally, the applicants will use logbooks and video 
monitors to test methods for real-time catch reporting and at-sea 
observation. Data collections for this study would support improved 
information about the catch, bycatch, discards, and discard mortality 
for reef fish species.
    Accurate estimates of bycatch and the level of discards is a 
persistent problem for assessing Gulf of Mexico reef fish stocks. Using 
fisheries dependant data accompanied by independent video monitoring 
would help establish reliability of current bycatch information and 
provide a higher level of confidence from various constituents 
interested in this fishery. Additionally, this information would assist 
fishery managers in developing more effective regulations to reduce 
bycatch and discard mortality.
    NMFS finds this application warrants further consideration. Based 
on a preliminary review, NMFS intends to issue an EFP. Possible 
conditions the agency may impose on this permit, if it is indeed 
granted, include but are not limited to, a prohibition of conducting 
research within marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, or special 
management zones, without additional authorization. Additionally, NMFS 
may prohibit the possession of Nassau or goliath grouper, and require 
any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of fishing or 
scientific research activities to be handled with due care to prevent 
injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and returned to the 
water. A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on a NMFS 
review of public comments received on the application, consultations 
with the affected states, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a determination that it is 
consistent with all applicable laws.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 9, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-24541 Filed 10-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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