Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS); Request for Comments, 57957-57958 [2011-24035]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 181 / Monday, September 19, 2011 / Notices Phone: 415–705–1765; Fax: 415–705– 2299. E-mail: Michael.lally@trade.gov. Elnora Moye, Commercial Service Trade Mission Program, U.S. Department of Commerce [FR Doc. 2011–23893 Filed 9–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–FP–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RIN 0648–XL85 Notice of Availability of a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Replacement of NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, CA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS); Request for comments. AGENCY: NOAA announces the public release of the Draft SEIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and NOAA Administrative Order 216–6 Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. Since completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) in April of 2009, substantial changes to the proposed action are being considered by NOAA within portions of the project area containing the 2.5-acre property currently occupied by Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) and managed by NOAA under long-term lease from the University of California Office of the President (UCOP). These newly proposed actions were not previously analyzed in the Final EIS/ EIR and involve additional demolition activities, substantial excavation and grading, installation of a geohazard soil stabilization system, structural upgrade to remaining structures, and other site alterations. These proposed actions were deemed necessary by NOAA based on additional geotechnical information and design recommendations received since approval of the Final EIS/EIR. The SEIS evaluates each environmental topic addressed in the Final EIS/EIR, and focuses on the newly proposed action and its potential effects to the human environment. The No-Action Alternative was analyzed and assumes mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:46 Sep 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 the newly proposed actions would not be implemented. DATES: Written comments and input will be accepted on or before October 31, 2011. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Robb Gries, Project Engineer, NOAA, Project Planning & Management—Western Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115; e-mail robb.gries@noaa.gov. Contact Mr. Robb Gries, NOAA Project Engineer, at the address provided above. A copy of the Draft SEIS can be viewed or downloaded at https:// www.seco.noaa.gov/HTML_Blue/ OCAO_NEPA.html. The proposed action evaluated in the April 2009 Final EIS/EIR consisted of the demolition of Buildings B and C and the construction of a new SWFSC building on a property across La Jolla Shores Drive from the existing NOAA facilities. Currently, construction of the SWFSC building at the preferred site is underway. Demolition of Buildings B and C at the existing NOAA property would not occur until construction of the new SWFSC building has been completed. A Notice of Intent to prepare SEIS was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2011. Consistent with 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)(i), this SEIS focuses on the environmental effects of the proposed changes and feasible alternatives including the no-action alternative, and analyzes the potential effects to affected resources such as: geological conditions, hydraulic processes, construction noise, traffic/pedestrian circulation, air emissions, and protected wildlife. Separately, the University of California—San Diego (UCSD) and UCOP intend to determine what additional CEQA documentation is necessary, such as an Addendum to the Final EIS/EIR, based on the findings of the SEIS and other factors. NOAA has submitted the Draft SEIS to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for review and comment, in conformance with NEPA implementing regulations. Copies of this document have been made available to persons who participated in the Final EIS/EIR scoping process, to other individuals expressing interest, and to local libraries in order to be accessible to the general public. NOAA is accepting comments on the Draft SEIS during a 45-day official comment period beginning September 19, 2011, and ending on October 31, 2011. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57957 Dated: August 26, 2011. William F. Broglie, Chief Administrative Officer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2011–23987 Filed 9–16–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–BB44 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS); Request for Comments National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI). AGENCY: NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) intends to prepare a SEIS to describe and analyze a range of alternatives for management actions to be included in Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). These actions will consider closed areas for lobster fishing to protect Acropora corals and lobster trap line-marking requirements. The purpose of this NOI is to solicit public comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the SEIS. DATES: Written comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the SEIS must be received by NMFS by October 19, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2011–0223, by any of the following methods: • Electronic submissions: Submit electronic comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Susan Gerhart, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https:// www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 57958 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 181 / Monday, September 19, 2011 / Notices submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. To submit comments through the Federal e-rulemaking portal: https:// www.regulations.gov, click on ‘‘submit a comment,’’ then enter ‘‘NOAA–NMFS– 2011–0223’’ in the keyword search and click on ‘‘search.’’ To view posted comments during the comment period, enter ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2011–0223’’ in the keyword search and click on ‘‘search.’’ NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required field if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, telephone: 727–824– 5305 or e-mail: Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 27, 2009, an Endangered Species Act (ESA) biological opinion was completed that evaluated the impacts of the continued authorization of the trap component of the spiny lobster commercial sector on ESA-listed species. The opinion prescribed nondiscretionary reasonable and prudent measures (RPMs) to help minimize the impacts of takes to ESA-listed species by the trap component of the spiny lobster commercial sector. Specific terms and conditions required to implement the prescribed RPMs included creating new or expanding existing closed areas to protect coral and implementing lobster trap line-marking requirements. A September 2, 2011, memo revised the 5-year phase-in period for the line-marking requirement to 5 years from implementation of the planned final rule or no later than August 6, 2017. The Councils are considering alternatives to meet these requirements. Actions and alternatives to address these measures were included in Amendment 10 to the Spiny Lobster FMP. However, the Councils felt more time was needed to work with stakeholders in developing management measures. NMFS, in collaboration with the Councils, will develop a SEIS for Amendment 11 to describe and analyze alternatives to address the management needs described above. The alternatives will include a ‘‘no action’’ alternative regarding each action. In accordance with NOAA’s Administrative Order 216–6, Section 5.02(c), Scoping Process, NMFS, in collaboration with the Councils, has identified preliminary environmental issues as a means to initiate discussion VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:46 Sep 16, 2011 Jkt 223001 for scoping purposes only. These preliminary issues may not represent the full range of issues that eventually will be evaluated in the SEIS. Copies of an information packet will be available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). After the draft SEIS associated with Amendment 11 is completed, it will be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After filing, the EPA will publish a notice of availability of the draft SEIS for public comment in the Federal Register. The draft SEIS will have a 45-day public comment period. This procedure is pursuant to regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 40 CFR parts 1500–1508) and to NOAA’s Administrative Order 216–6 regarding NOAA’s compliance with NEPA and the CEQ regulations. NMFS will consider public comments received on the draft SEIS in developing the final SEIS and before adopting final management measures for the amendment. NMFS will submit both the final amendment and the supporting SEIS to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for review as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NMFS will announce, through a notification in the Federal Register, the availability of the final amendment for public review during the Department of Commerce Secretarial review period. During Secretarial review, NMFS will also file the final SEIS with the EPA and the EPA will publish a notice of availability for the final SEIS in the Federal Register. This public comment period is expected to be concurrent with the Secretarial review period and will end prior to final agency action to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the amendment. NMFS will announce, through a document published in the Federal Register, all public comment periods on the final amendment, its proposed implementing regulations, and the availability of its associated final SEIS. NMFS will consider all public comments received during the Secretarial review period, whether they are on the final amendment, the proposed regulations, or the final SEIS, prior to final agency action. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 13, 2011. Steven Thur, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–24035 Filed 9–16–11; 8:45 am] Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XA708 Fisheries of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) will hold meetings of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and SocioEconomic Sub-Panel (SEP) to review fishery management plan (FMP) amendments under development, ABC control rule approaches, stock assessments of black sea bass and golden tilefish, planning for future assessments of Spanish mackerel and cobia, and the National SSC workshop. The meetings will be held in Charleston, SC. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. DATES: The meetings will be held November 7–10, 2011. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Hampton Inn, 678 Citadel Haven Drive, Charleston, SC 29414; telephone: (843) 573–1200. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; (843) 571–4366; e-mail: Kim.Iverson@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorized Act, the SSC is the body responsible for reviewing the Council’s scientific materials. The SEP sub-pane reviews social and economic information and reports its findings to the SSC. The SEP will discuss FMP amendments that are under development and the role of social and economic sciences in the Council process. The SSC will discuss FMP amendments under development, assessments of black sea bass and tilefish, review advancements in ABC control rule development, review planning information for assessments of Spanish mackerel and cobia to be developed in 2013, and discuss the findings of the National SSC workshop. SUMMARY: SEP Meeting Schedule November 7, 2011, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. SSC Meeting Schedule November 8, 2011, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57957-57958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24035]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-BB44


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Amendment 11 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster Resources 
of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Intent To Prepare a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS); Request for 
Comments

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

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI).

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

SUMMARY: NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Gulf of 
Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) 
intends to prepare a SEIS to describe and analyze a range of 
alternatives for management actions to be included in Amendment 11 to 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Resources of the Gulf 
of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). These actions will consider closed 
areas for lobster fishing to protect Acropora corals and lobster trap 
line-marking requirements. The purpose of this NOI is to solicit public 
comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the SEIS.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the 
SEIS must be received by NMFS by October 19, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2011-0223, 
by any of the following methods:
     Electronic submissions: Submit electronic comments via the 
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Susan Gerhart, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, 
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not

[[Page 57958]]

submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.
    To submit comments through the Federal e-rulemaking portal: https://www.regulations.gov, click on ``submit a comment,'' then enter ``NOAA-
NMFS-2011-0223'' in the keyword search and click on ``search.'' To view 
posted comments during the comment period, enter ``NOAA-NMFS-2011-
0223'' in the keyword search and click on ``search.'' NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required field if you wish to 
remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, telephone: 727-824-5305 
or e-mail: Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 27, 2009, an Endangered Species 
Act (ESA) biological opinion was completed that evaluated the impacts 
of the continued authorization of the trap component of the spiny 
lobster commercial sector on ESA-listed species. The opinion prescribed 
non-discretionary reasonable and prudent measures (RPMs) to help 
minimize the impacts of takes to ESA-listed species by the trap 
component of the spiny lobster commercial sector. Specific terms and 
conditions required to implement the prescribed RPMs included creating 
new or expanding existing closed areas to protect coral and 
implementing lobster trap line-marking requirements. A September 2, 
2011, memo revised the 5-year phase-in period for the line-marking 
requirement to 5 years from implementation of the planned final rule or 
no later than August 6, 2017. The Councils are considering alternatives 
to meet these requirements.
    Actions and alternatives to address these measures were included in 
Amendment 10 to the Spiny Lobster FMP. However, the Councils felt more 
time was needed to work with stakeholders in developing management 
measures. NMFS, in collaboration with the Councils, will develop a SEIS 
for Amendment 11 to describe and analyze alternatives to address the 
management needs described above. The alternatives will include a ``no 
action'' alternative regarding each action.
    In accordance with NOAA's Administrative Order 216-6, Section 
5.02(c), Scoping Process, NMFS, in collaboration with the Councils, has 
identified preliminary environmental issues as a means to initiate 
discussion for scoping purposes only. These preliminary issues may not 
represent the full range of issues that eventually will be evaluated in 
the SEIS.
    Copies of an information packet will be available from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES).
    After the draft SEIS associated with Amendment 11 is completed, it 
will be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After 
filing, the EPA will publish a notice of availability of the draft SEIS 
for public comment in the Federal Register. The draft SEIS will have a 
45-day public comment period. This procedure is pursuant to regulations 
issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA; 40 CFR parts 1500-1508) and to NOAA's Administrative Order 216-6 
regarding NOAA's compliance with NEPA and the CEQ regulations.
    NMFS will consider public comments received on the draft SEIS in 
developing the final SEIS and before adopting final management measures 
for the amendment. NMFS will submit both the final amendment and the 
supporting SEIS to the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) for review as 
required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act.
    NMFS will announce, through a notification in the Federal Register, 
the availability of the final amendment for public review during the 
Department of Commerce Secretarial review period. During Secretarial 
review, NMFS will also file the final SEIS with the EPA and the EPA 
will publish a notice of availability for the final SEIS in the Federal 
Register. This public comment period is expected to be concurrent with 
the Secretarial review period and will end prior to final agency action 
to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the amendment.
    NMFS will announce, through a document published in the Federal 
Register, all public comment periods on the final amendment, its 
proposed implementing regulations, and the availability of its 
associated final SEIS. NMFS will consider all public comments received 
during the Secretarial review period, whether they are on the final 
amendment, the proposed regulations, or the final SEIS, prior to final 
agency action.

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

    Dated: September 13, 2011.
Steven Thur,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24035 Filed 9-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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