Notice of Public Scoping Meetings for the Environmental Impact Statement on the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean, 8304-8305 [2010-3750]

Download as PDF 8304 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2010 / Notices Dated: February 18, 2010. Tammy C. Adams, Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010–3742 Filed 2–23–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S Correction In the Federal Register of December 8, 2009, in FR Doc. E9–29258, on page 64665, in the third column, correct the location of the sixth workshop listed under the heading ‘‘Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations’’ to read: Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 6. March 24, 2010, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Princess Royal Hotel, 9100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop RIN 0648–XS88 Schedules for Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops; Correction pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public workshops; correction. SUMMARY: Due to an unanticipated temporary closure of the Princess Bayside Hotel in Ocean City, MD, NMFS is changing the location of its March 24, 2010, Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop that was announced in the Federal Register on December 8, 2009. The locations of the remaining workshops in February and March 2010 remain unchanged. The Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops are mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Additional free workshops will be held in 2010 and announced in the Federal Register. DATES: The dates and times for the remaining Protected Species Safe Handling, Release and Identification Workshops in February and March 2010 have not been changed and will be held February 24, March 10, and March 24, 2010. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further details. ADDRESSES: The remaining Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops will be held in Boston, MA; Galveston, TX; and Ocean City, MD. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the corrected Ocean City, MD, workshop location. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Pearson by phone:(727) 824– 5399, or by fax: (727) 824–5398. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:49 Feb 23, 2010 Jkt 220001 Since January 1, 2007, shark limited access and swordfish limited access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear have been required to submit a copy of their Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop certificate in order to renew either permit (71 FR 58057; October 2, 2006). These certificate(s) are valid for three years. As such, vessel owners who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel owners whose certificate(s) will expire prior to the next permit renewal, must attend a workshop to fish with, or renew, their swordfish and shark limited access permits. Additionally, new shark and swordfish limited access permit applicants who intend to fish with longline or gillnet gear must attend a Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and submit a copy of their workshop certificate before either of the permits will be issued. Approximately 78 free Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops have been conducted since 2006. At least one operator on vessels using longline or gillnet gear must be issued, and possess on board, a valid Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop certificate issued to that operator, in addition to having on board a valid workshop certificate issued to the vessel owner. Both vessel owner and operator certificates are valid for three years. As such, vessel operators who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel operators whose certificate(s) will expire prior to their next fishing trip, must attend a workshop to operate a vessel with swordfish and shark limited access permits. Registration To register for a scheduled Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Angler Conservation Education at (386) 852–9137. PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Registration Materials To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct permits, participants will need to bring the following items with them to the workshop: Individual vessel owners must bring a copy of the appropriate swordfish and/ or shark permit(s), a copy of the vessel registration or documentation, and proof of identification. Representatives of a business owned or co-owned vessel must bring proof that the individual is an agent of the business (such as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable swordfish and/or shark permit(s), and proof of identification. Vessel operators must bring proof of identification. Workshop Objectives The protected species safe handling, release, and identification workshops are designed to teach longline and gillnet fishermen the required techniques for the safe handling and release of entangled and/or hooked protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, and smalltooth sawfish. The proper identification of protected species will also be taught at these workshops in an effort to improve reporting. Additionally, individuals attending these workshops will gain a better understanding of the requirements for participating in these fisheries. The overall goal of these workshops is to provide participants with the skills needed to reduce the mortality of protected species, which may prevent additional regulations on these fisheries in the future. Dated: February 18, 2010. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010–3733 Filed 3–23–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XU53 Notice of Public Scoping Meetings for the Environmental Impact Statement on the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings. SUMMARY: NMFS will hold five public scoping meetings in March 2010 to E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2010 / Notices receive public comments on NMFS’ intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the effects of oil and gas activities (e.g., seismic surveys and exploratory drilling) in the Arctic Ocean (U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas). DATES: The comment period for the scoping process is from February 8, 2010, through April 9, 2010. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION under the ‘‘Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations’’ heading for the dates and locations of the public scoping meetings. The public has the opportunity to submit comments and statements regarding NMFS’ intent to prepare this EIS using the following methods: • Mail: P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; • Facsimile (fax) to: (301) 713–0376; • E-mail to: arcticeis.comments@noaa.gov; or • Public hearings: submit oral or written comments at public scoping meetings. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10– megabyte file size. Information on this project can also be found on the Protected Resources webpage at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/ arctic.htm. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Payne, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713–2289 ext. 110. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Background On February 8, 2010 (75 FR 6175), NMFS announced its intent to prepare an EIS on the effects of oil and gas activities in the U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. In that notice, NMFS announced that it would hold a total of eight public scoping meetings in February and March 2010. However, the February 8, 2010 (75 FR 6175), notice only provided dates, times, and locations for the first three meetings. NMFS has scheduled additional public scoping meetings to be held in Wainwright, Barrow, Nuiqsut, Kaktovik, and Anchorage. The purposes of these meetings are to provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the proposed action, identify issues to be addressed in the EIS process, and to submit oral or written comments on this proposal. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:49 Feb 23, 2010 Jkt 220001 Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations The dates, times, and locations of the public scoping meetings are as follows: (1) March 9, 2010, 7 - 9 p.m., Wainwright Community Center, Wainwright, Alaska; (2) March 10, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Inupiat Heritage Center, Barrow, Alaska; (3) March 11, 2010, 7 - 9 p.m., Nuiqsut Community Center, Nuiqsut, Alaska; (4) March 12, 2010, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Kaktovik Community Center, Kaktovik, Alaska; and (5) March 23, 2010, 7 - 9 p.m., Egan Center, 555 West Fifth Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Special Accommodations These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or auxiliary aids should be directed to Sheyna Wisdom by telephone at (907) 261–6705 or by e-mail at SheynalWisdom@URSCorp.com at least 7 days before the scheduled meeting date. Dated: February 18, 2010. Wanda L. Cain, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010–3750 Filed 2–23–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XU10 Taking of Threatened or Endangered Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; Proposed Permit AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to issue a permit for a period of three years to authorize the incidental, but not intentional, taking of individuals from the Central North Pacific (CNP) stock of endangered humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) by the Hawaii-based longline fisheries (deepset and shallow-set). In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS has made a preliminary determination that incidental taking from commercial fishing will have a negligible impact on CNP humpback whales; a recovery plan was completed PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8305 in 1991; and vessels have been registered, a monitoring plan is in place, and a NMFS has insufficient funds to develop a Take Reduction Plan (TRP) at this time to address taking in these fisheries. Accordingly, NMFS proposes to issue the required permits to the Hawaii-based longline fisheries. NMFS solicits public comments on the negligible impact determination and on the proposal to issue this permit. DATES: Comments must be received by March 26, 2010. ADDRESSES: A draft of the negligible impact determination is available on the Internet at the following address: https:// fpir.noaa.gov/. Written copies of the determination may be requested from, and comments on the determination and proposed permit should be sent to: Lisa Van Atta, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, NMFS Pacific Islands Region, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to: MMPA.permitPIR@noaa.gov or by fax to (301) 427– 2533. Comments received after the 30– day comment period may not be considered or made part of the record. The recovery plan for humpback whales is available on the Internet at the following address: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/recovery/ plans.htm#mammals. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Van Atta, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, Pacific Islands Region, (808) 944–2257 or Tom Eagle, Office of Protected Resources, (301) 713–2322, ext. 105. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is now considering the issuance of a permit under MMPA section 101(a)(5)(E) to vessels registered in the Hawaii-based longline fisheries (deepset and shallow-set) to incidentally take individuals from the CNP stock of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), which are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Hawaii-based longline fisheries do not take other species or stocks of threatened or endangered marine mammals; therefore, no other species or stocks are considered for this proposed permit. The information available from the Hawaii-based deep-set longline fishery since 1994 indicates that there has never been incidental mortality or serious injury of CNP humpback whales; therefore, none is anticipated in the 3–year duration of the permit. Since 1994, there has been only one serious injury of a CNP humpback whale in the Hawaii-based shallow-set longline E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8304-8305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3750]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XU53


Notice of Public Scoping Meetings for the Environmental Impact 
Statement on the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS will hold five public scoping meetings in March 2010 to

[[Page 8305]]

receive public comments on NMFS' intent to prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on the effects of oil and gas activities (e.g., 
seismic surveys and exploratory drilling) in the Arctic Ocean (U.S. 
Chukchi and Beaufort Seas).

DATES: The comment period for the scoping process is from February 8, 
2010, through April 9, 2010. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION under the 
``Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations'' heading for the dates and 
locations of the public scoping meetings.

ADDRESSES: The public has the opportunity to submit comments and 
statements regarding NMFS' intent to prepare this EIS using the 
following methods:
     Mail: P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and 
Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910;
     Facsimile (fax) to: (301) 713-0376;
     E-mail to: arcticeis.comments@noaa.gov; or
     Public hearings: submit oral or written comments at public 
scoping meetings.
    Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not 
exceed a 10-megabyte file size. Information on this project can also be 
found on the Protected Resources webpage at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/arctic.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Payne, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2289 ext. 110.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 8, 2010 (75 FR 6175), NMFS announced its intent to 
prepare an EIS on the effects of oil and gas activities in the U.S. 
Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. In that notice, NMFS announced that it would 
hold a total of eight public scoping meetings in February and March 
2010. However, the February 8, 2010 (75 FR 6175), notice only provided 
dates, times, and locations for the first three meetings.
    NMFS has scheduled additional public scoping meetings to be held in 
Wainwright, Barrow, Nuiqsut, Kaktovik, and Anchorage. The purposes of 
these meetings are to provide an opportunity for the public to learn 
about the proposed action, identify issues to be addressed in the EIS 
process, and to submit oral or written comments on this proposal.

Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations

    The dates, times, and locations of the public scoping meetings are 
as follows:
    (1) March 9, 2010, 7 - 9 p.m., Wainwright Community Center, 
Wainwright, Alaska;
    (2) March 10, 2010, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Inupiat Heritage Center, 
Barrow, Alaska;
    (3) March 11, 2010, 7 - 9 p.m., Nuiqsut Community Center, Nuiqsut, 
Alaska;
    (4) March 12, 2010, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Kaktovik Community Center, 
Kaktovik, Alaska; and
    (5) March 23, 2010, 7 - 9 p.m., Egan Center, 555 West Fifth Avenue, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99501.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests 
for sign language interpretation or auxiliary aids should be directed 
to Sheyna Wisdom by telephone at (907) 261-6705 or by e-mail at 
Sheyna_Wisdom@URSCorp.com at least 7 days before the scheduled meeting 
date.

    Dated: February 18, 2010.
Wanda L. Cain,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-3750 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.