Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat in the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River, Missouri River Basin, United States, 67084-67085 [2010-27496]

Download as PDF 67084 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 210 / Monday, November 1, 2010 / Notices An EFP is being requested for one vessel participating in the Southern New England (SNE) Flatfish Discard Mortality Study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) Cooperative Marine Education and Research program. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effects of different stressors on the mortality of flatfish discarded in SNE and Mid-Atlantic trawl fisheries. The researchers would conduct field and lab observations of flatfish captured during regular commercial fishing operations for Reflex Action Mortality Predictors (RAMP) under different stressors to assess the discard mortality rates of five flatfish stocks: SNE yellowtail flounder; SNE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: winter flounder; summer flounder; northern windowpane flounder; and southern windowpane flounder. In addition, the applicants would use the results of their study to assess the use of RAMP in estimating the mortality of each species within the flatfish complex. The study would be conducted aboard one commercial fishing vessel in the SNE and Mid-Atlantic mixed trawl fishery, beginning the date of issuance of the EFP and continuing for a full year. The vessel would utilize otter trawl gear with gear configuration and mesh size dictated by current fishery regulations. SMAST technicians and/or commercial fishermen would collect 100 fish of each species per month, during regular commercial fishing operations, for a maximum catch of 6,000 fish over the course of the 12month study (Table 1). Fish would be placed in oxygen-enriched seawater tanks and, upon landing, be transported live to the SMAST seawater lab facility for testing. Fish collected for laboratory observation would not be sold. The applicant has requested an exemption from NE multispecies possession restrictions for SNE yellowtail flounder, and SNE winter flounder and windowpane flounder, at §§ 648.86(g)(1) and 648.86(l), respectively, in order to land the live specimens in excess of possession limits. The applicants have also requested an exemption from NE multispecies minimum fish sizes at § 648.83 and the summer flounder minimum fish size at § 648.103(a), in order to test a representative sample of the age composition of flatfish. TABLE 1—ESTIMATED SAMPLE SIZE Number of fish/month Species mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SNE Yellowtail Flounder .......................................................................................................................................... SNE Winter Flounder ............................................................................................................................................... Summer Flounder .................................................................................................................................................... Northern Windowpane Flounder .............................................................................................................................. Southern Windowpane Flounder ............................................................................................................................. The participating vessel is enrolled in Northeast Fishery Sector V for the 2010 fishing year, which has received a SNE yellowtail flounder annual catch entitlement (ACE). Consistent with the regulations at § 648.87, the participating vessel is currently exempt from trip limits on this stock, but would not be exempt from any sector requirements, including at-sea and dockside monitoring of sector trips and full retention of legal-sized fish of allocated stocks, while fishing under this EFP. In addition, all catch of allocated stocks by the sector vessel on a sector trip, while participating in the EFP, would count toward the sector’s ACE, and the vessel’s sector must have ACE of all stocks in the area the vessel intends to fish a sector trip. The vessel would be required to report research catch landed that is of legal size separate from that of sub-legal size, on their Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs). The vessel’s sector manager would be notified to include legal-sized research landings from the VTRs in their ACE accounting, in addition to the vessel’s dealer-recorded landings. In addition to retaining fish for laboratory observation, technicians would observe a minimum of 100 fish of each species on commercial fishing trips for RAMP before they are discarded at-sea. The applicants would VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Oct 29, 2010 Jkt 223001 require a temporary exemption from the summer flounder commercial minimum fish size restriction at § 648.103(a), the NE multispecies minimum fish size restrictions at § 648.83, and the NE multispecies possession restrictions at §§ 648.86(g)(1) and 648.86(l), for the time period when trained technicians or crew are sampling fish. To ensure that monthly sampling is not disrupted, the applicants have also requested vessels be exempt from the summer flounder closure specified at § 648.101(a) for the purposes of collecting the 100 live specimens of each species each month. The applicants may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the course of research. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further public notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and result in only a minimal change in the scope or impacts of the initially approved EFP request. If an extension is requested that goes beyond the fishing year, it is required to go through the publication process again. In accordance with NAO Administrative Order 216–6, a Categorical Exclusion or other appropriate National Environmental Policy Act document would be completed prior to the issuance of the EFP. Further review and consultation PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Number of fish total 100 100 100 100 100 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. After publication of this document in the Federal Register, the EFP, if approved, may become effective following the public comment period. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 27, 2010. Carrie Selberg, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010–27534 Filed 10–29–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat in the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River, Missouri River Basin, United States Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1968, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 210 / Monday, November 1, 2010 / Notices mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES of Engineers has prepared a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat on the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. DATES: The comment period will be open from November 1, 2010 to January 21, 2011. Public meetings will take place in December, 2010 and January, 2011; The specific schedule is provided under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO–PM–AC; ATTN: Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102– 4901. Comments can also be e-mailed to: Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil. Comments on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat in the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River must be postmarked, emailed, or otherwise submitted no later than January 21, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or questions about the Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS, please contact Ms. Cynthia Upah, Project Manager, by telephone: (402) 995–2672, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102–4901, or by e-mail: Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil. For inquires from the media, please contact the USACE Omaha District Public Affairs Officer (PAO), Ms. Monique Farmer by telephone: (402) 995–2416, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102, or by e-mail: Monique.l.farmer@usace.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background The Emergent Sandbar Habitat (ESH) program is being implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for the benefit and recovery of the interior population of the Interior least tern (least tern) and the northern Great Plains piping plover (piping plover). This implementation program resulted from a Biological Opinion (BiOp) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in which the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative called for the Corps to provide sufficient ESH acreage in order to meet biological metrics (fledge ratios) to avoid jeopardizing continued existence of the species, as defined by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Programmatic EIS (PEIS) is needed to provide National VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:44 Oct 29, 2010 Jkt 223001 Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) coverage for the mechanical construction of ESH. The purpose of the PEIS is to analyze the potential environmental consequences of implementing the ESH program on the Missouri River. The PEIS allows the public, cooperating agencies (USFWS and National Park Service), and Corps decision makers to compare impacts among a range of alternatives. The goal is to inform the selection of a preferred alternative that allows for the creation and replacement of sufficient habitat to support tern and plover populations on the Missouri River in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner that minimizes negative environmental consequences. 2. Document Availability The Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS is available online at https://www.moriverrecovery.org/mrrp/ mrrp_pub_dev.download_ documentation_esh, and at the following community libraries: Glasgow City-County Library, 408 Third Avenue South, Glasgow, MT; Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, 515 N Fifth Street, Bismarck, ND; Rawlins Municipal Library, 1000 E. Church St., Pierre, SD; Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut, Yankton, SD; Sioux City Public Library, 529 Pierce Street, Sioux City, IA; W Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th Street, Omaha, NE; Kansas City Public Library, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO, or please contact Ms. Cynthia Upah, Project Manager, by telephone: (402) 995–2672, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102–4901, or by e-mail: Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil. 3. Public Involvement Meetings The Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites all interested entities including Tribal governments, Federal agencies, state and local governments, and the general public to comment on the Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS. The public comment period began with the publication of this notice on November 1, 2010 and will continue until January 21, 2011. All public involvement meetings will use an open house format, followed by a presentation and the opportunity to make public comment. Informational materials about the Emergent Sandbar Habitat program and the Programmatic EIS will be located throughout the room for participant perusal throughout the evening. Corps representatives will be available to meet one-on-one with meeting participants. In addition to public comments being recorded, PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 67085 written comments will be collected on comment cards, and the opportunity to have formal verbal comments transcribed will be available. All forms of comment will be weighted equally. Input from the public involvement meetings, along with comments received by other means (regular mail or e-mail), will be used to refine the document before a Final Programmatic EIS is released. The Corps has scheduled public involvement meetings at the following locations: 1. Tuesday, November 30: Bismarck, North Dakota, Best Western Doublewood Inn & Conference Center, 1400 E. Interchange Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501. 2. Thursday, December 2: Fort Peck, Montana, Fort Peck Interpretive Center & Museum, Lower Yellowstone Rd., Fort Peck, MT 59223. 3. Tuesday, December 7: Pierre, South Dakota, Best Western Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, 920 W. Sioux Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501. 4. Wednesday, December 8: Yankton, South Dakota, Riverfront Event Center, 121 W. 3rd Street, Yankton, SD 57078. 5. Thursday, December 9: Sioux City, Iowa, Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center, 300 3rd Street, Sioux City, IA 51101. 6. Wednesday, January 5, 2011: Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton University Mike & Josie Harper Center, 602 N. 20th Street, Omaha, NE 68178. 7. Thursday, January 6, 2011: Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza, 4445 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. If you require assistance under the Americans With Disabilities Act please send your name and phone via e-mail to Lois@djcase.com at least three days prior to the meeting you plan to attend. Persons who use a telecommunications service for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to relay this same information. For more information about the Emergent Sandbar Habitat program, please visit https:// www.moriverrecovery.org under ‘‘BiOp/ Mit Efforts.’’ Dated: October 19, 2010. Kayla Eckert Uptmor, Chief Planning Branch, Omaha District. [FR Doc. 2010–27496 Filed 10–29–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 210 (Monday, November 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67084-67085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27496]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of 
Emergent Sandbar Habitat in the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri 
River, Missouri River Basin, United States

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1968, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps

[[Page 67085]]

of Engineers has prepared a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of Emergent 
Sandbar Habitat on the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River 
and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

DATES: The comment period will be open from November 1, 2010 to January 
21, 2011. Public meetings will take place in December, 2010 and 
January, 2011; The specific schedule is provided under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Department of the Army; 
Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PM-AC; ATTN: Emergent Sandbar 
Habitat Programmatic EIS; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901. 
Comments can also be e-mailed to: Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil. 
Comments on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat in 
the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River must be postmarked, 
e-mailed, or otherwise submitted no later than January 21, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or 
questions about the Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS, please 
contact Ms. Cynthia Upah, Project Manager, by telephone: (402) 995-
2672, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102-4901, or by e-mail: 
Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil. For inquires from the media, please 
contact the USACE Omaha District Public Affairs Officer (PAO), Ms. 
Monique Farmer by telephone: (402) 995-2416, by mail: 1616 Capitol 
Avenue, Omaha, NE 68102, or by e-mail: Monique.l.farmer@usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    The Emergent Sandbar Habitat (ESH) program is being implemented by 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for the benefit and recovery 
of the interior population of the Interior least tern (least tern) and 
the northern Great Plains piping plover (piping plover). This 
implementation program resulted from a Biological Opinion (BiOp) issued 
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in which the Reasonable 
and Prudent Alternative called for the Corps to provide sufficient ESH 
acreage in order to meet biological metrics (fledge ratios) to avoid 
jeopardizing continued existence of the species, as defined by the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA).
    The Programmatic EIS (PEIS) is needed to provide National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) coverage for the mechanical 
construction of ESH. The purpose of the PEIS is to analyze the 
potential environmental consequences of implementing the ESH program on 
the Missouri River. The PEIS allows the public, cooperating agencies 
(USFWS and National Park Service), and Corps decision makers to compare 
impacts among a range of alternatives. The goal is to inform the 
selection of a preferred alternative that allows for the creation and 
replacement of sufficient habitat to support tern and plover 
populations on the Missouri River in a safe, efficient and cost-
effective manner that minimizes negative environmental consequences.

2. Document Availability

    The Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS is available online 
at https://www.moriverrecovery.org/mrrp/mrrp_pub_dev.download_documentation_esh, and at the following community libraries: Glasgow 
City-County Library, 408 Third Avenue South, Glasgow, MT; Bismarck 
Veterans Memorial Public Library, 515 N Fifth Street, Bismarck, ND; 
Rawlins Municipal Library, 1000 E. Church St., Pierre, SD; Yankton 
Community Library, 515 Walnut, Yankton, SD; Sioux City Public Library, 
529 Pierce Street, Sioux City, IA; W Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th 
Street, Omaha, NE; Kansas City Public Library, 14 West 10th Street, 
Kansas City, MO, or please contact Ms. Cynthia Upah, Project Manager, 
by telephone: (402) 995-2672, by mail: 1616 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 
68102-4901, or by e-mail: Cynthia.s.upah@usace.army.mil.

3. Public Involvement Meetings

    The Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites all 
interested entities including Tribal governments, Federal agencies, 
state and local governments, and the general public to comment on the 
Emergent Sandbar Habitat Programmatic EIS. The public comment period 
began with the publication of this notice on November 1, 2010 and will 
continue until January 21, 2011.
    All public involvement meetings will use an open house format, 
followed by a presentation and the opportunity to make public comment. 
Informational materials about the Emergent Sandbar Habitat program and 
the Programmatic EIS will be located throughout the room for 
participant perusal throughout the evening. Corps representatives will 
be available to meet one-on-one with meeting participants. In addition 
to public comments being recorded, written comments will be collected 
on comment cards, and the opportunity to have formal verbal comments 
transcribed will be available. All forms of comment will be weighted 
equally. Input from the public involvement meetings, along with 
comments received by other means (regular mail or e-mail), will be used 
to refine the document before a Final Programmatic EIS is released.
    The Corps has scheduled public involvement meetings at the 
following locations:
    1. Tuesday, November 30: Bismarck, North Dakota, Best Western 
Doublewood Inn & Conference Center, 1400 E. Interchange Avenue, 
Bismarck, ND 58501.
    2. Thursday, December 2: Fort Peck, Montana, Fort Peck Interpretive 
Center & Museum, Lower Yellowstone Rd., Fort Peck, MT 59223.
    3. Tuesday, December 7: Pierre, South Dakota, Best Western Ramkota 
Hotel & Conference Center, 920 W. Sioux Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
    4. Wednesday, December 8: Yankton, South Dakota, Riverfront Event 
Center, 121 W. 3rd Street, Yankton, SD 57078.
    5. Thursday, December 9: Sioux City, Iowa, Stoney Creek Inn & 
Conference Center, 300 3rd Street, Sioux City, IA 51101.
    6. Wednesday, January 5, 2011: Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton 
University Mike & Josie Harper Center, 602 N. 20th Street, Omaha, NE 
68178.
    7. Thursday, January 6, 2011: Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City 
Marriott Country Club Plaza, 4445 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111.
    If you require assistance under the Americans With Disabilities Act 
please send your name and phone via e-mail to Lois@djcase.com at least 
three days prior to the meeting you plan to attend. Persons who use a 
telecommunications service for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339, 24 hours a day, 
seven days a week to relay this same information. For more information 
about the Emergent Sandbar Habitat program, please visit https://www.moriverrecovery.org under ``BiOp/Mit Efforts.''

    Dated: October 19, 2010.
Kayla Eckert Uptmor,
Chief Planning Branch, Omaha District.
[FR Doc. 2010-27496 Filed 10-29-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

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