Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for the North Atlantic Right Whale and the North Pacific Right Whale, 16538-16539 [2012-6575]

Download as PDF 16538 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2012 / Notices 2010, through April 30, 2011.1 On January 18, 2012, we published a notice in the Federal Register extending the deadline for the preliminary results to March 31, 2012.2 erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires the Department to complete the preliminary results within 245 days after the last day of the anniversary month of an order for which a review is requested. If it is not practicable to complete the review within this time period, section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act allows the Department to extend the time limit for the preliminary results to a maximum of 365 days after the last day of the anniversary month. We determine that it is not practicable to complete the preliminary results of these reviews within the original time limit because there are concurrent cases before Office 1 (the office responsible for the AFB orders) with numerous complex issues. Furthermore, these concurrent cases have fully extended deadlines that are proximate to the current deadline in these reviews making it impracticable for Office 1 to complete these ball-bearings reviews within the current deadline. For example, Office 1 has the antidumping duty investigations on certain steel nails from the United Arab Emirates and certain stilbenic optical brightening agents from Taiwan, the countervailing duty investigations on circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from India, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and in the antidumping duty administrative review of freshwater crawfish tail meat from the People’s Republic of China, all of which involve complex issues and all of which have fully extended deadlines which are within two weeks of the current deadline for the preliminary results in these reviews. Therefore, we are 1 See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part, 76 FR 37781 (June 28, 2011). See also Ball Bearings and Parts Thereof From Japan and the United Kingdom: Revocation of Antidumping Duty Orders, 76 FR 41761 (July 15, 2011), where we revoked the antidumping duty orders with respect to ball bearings and parts thereof from Japan and the United Kingdom. In the Federal Register notice we indicated that, as a result of the revocation, the Department is discontinuing all unfinished administrative reviews immediately and will not initiate any new administrative reviews of the orders. 2 See Ball Bearings and Parts Thereof from France, Germany, and Italy: Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 77 FR 2511 (January 18, 2012). VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:15 Mar 20, 2012 Jkt 226001 extending the time period for issuing the preliminary results of these reviews by an additional 60 days, which is 365 days after the last day of the anniversary month, until May 30, 2012. This notice is published in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(2). Dated: March 14, 2012. Gary Taverman, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations. [FR Doc. 2012–6817 Filed 3–20–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XB085 Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for the North Atlantic Right Whale and the North Pacific Right Whale National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year reviews; request for information. AGENCY: NMFS announces a 5-year review of North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information on these whales that has become available since the last status review in 2006. DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than April 20, 2012. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2012–0057, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the ‘‘submit a comment’’ icon, then enter NOAA–NMFS–2012–0057 in the keyword search. Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and click on the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ icon to the right of that line. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Mail or hand-delivery: Angela Somma, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Endangered Species Division, 1325 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larissa Plants, Office of Protected Resources, 301–427–8471, or Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected Resources 301–427–8437. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing species currently under active review. This notice announces our active review of right whales, currently listed as endangered. To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested parties concerning the status of right whales. Categories of requested information include: (1) Species biology and demographics (population trends, distribution, abundance, genetics, etc.); (2) habitat conditions (amount, distribution, suitability, quality, etc.); (3) conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the species; (4) status and trends of threats; and (5) other new information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2012 / Notices contained in the list of threatened and endangered species, and improved analytical methods, if any. Any new information will be considered during the 5-year review and will also be useful in evaluating the ongoing recovery programs for these whales. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: March 12, 2012. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–6575 Filed 3–20–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XB084 Incidental Taking of Marine Mammals; Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to the Explosive Removal of Offshore Structures in the Gulf of Mexico National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA). AGENCY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued one-year LOAs to take marine mammals incidental to the explosive removal of offshore oil and gas structures (EROS) in the Gulf of Mexico. DATES: These authorizations are effective from March 16, 2012 through March 15, 2013. ADDRESSES: The application and LOAs are available for review by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910– 3235 or by telephoning the contact listed here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or online at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm. Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Goldstein or Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 301–427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:15 Mar 20, 2012 Jkt 226001 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce (who has delegated the authority to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by United States citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region, if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ‘‘take’’ means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Authorization for incidental taking, in the form of annual LOAs, may be granted by NMFS for periods up to five years if NMFS finds, after notice and opportunity for public comment, that the total taking over the five-year period will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) of marine mammals, and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant). In addition, NMFS must prescribe regulations that include permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species and its habitat (i.e., mitigation), and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating rounds, and areas of similar significance. The regulations also must include requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. Regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to EROS were published on June 19, 2008 (73 FR 34875), and remain in effect through July 19, 2013. For detailed information on this action, please refer to that Federal Register notice. The species that applicants may take in small numbers during EROS activities are bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), Clymene dolphins (Stenella clymene), striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), shortfinned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). NMFS received requests for LOAs from W&T Offshore, Inc. (W&T Offshore) and W&T Energy VI, L.L.C. (W&T Energy) for activities covered by EROS regulations. W&T Offshore and W&T Energy have not conducted any EROS activities to date. PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16539 Pursuant to these regulations, NMFS has issued an LOA to W&T Offshore and W&T Energy. Issuance of the LOAs is based on a finding made in the preamble to the final rule that the total taking over the five-year period (with monitoring, mitigation, and reporting measures) will have a negligible impact on the affected species or stock(s) of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence uses. NMFS will review reports to ensure that the applicants are in compliance with meeting the requirements contained in the implementing regulations and LOA, including monitoring, mitigation, and reporting requirements. Dated: March 14, 2012. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–6821 Filed 3–20–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XB098 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Council to convene a public meeting. AGENCY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of the Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committee. DATES: The meeting will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2012. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630. Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Assane Diagne, Economist; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: (813) 348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene the Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committee to discuss socioeconomic issues related to allocation and the application of social indicators to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16538-16539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6575]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB085


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review 
for the North Atlantic Right Whale and the North Pacific Right Whale

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year reviews; request for 
information.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS announces a 5-year review of North Atlantic right whale 
(Eubalaena glacialis) and North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena 
japonica) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. A 
5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data 
available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting 
submission of any such information on these whales that has become 
available since the last status review in 2006.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than April 20, 2012. However, we will 
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2012-0057, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To 
submit comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the ``submit a 
comment'' icon, then enter NOAA-NMFS-2012-0057 in the keyword search. 
Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and 
click on the ``Submit a Comment'' icon to the right of that line.
     Mail or hand-delivery: Angela Somma, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Endangered Species 
Division, 1325 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and 
considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the 
sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will 
accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you 
wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be 
accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file 
formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larissa Plants, Office of Protected 
Resources, 301-427-8471, or Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected 
Resources 301-427-8437.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that 
we conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years. 
The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing species currently under active review. 
This notice announces our active review of right whales, currently 
listed as endangered.
    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new 
information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the 
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other 
interested parties concerning the status of right whales. Categories of 
requested information include: (1) Species biology and demographics 
(population trends, distribution, abundance, genetics, etc.); (2) 
habitat conditions (amount, distribution, suitability, quality, etc.); 
(3) conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the 
species; (4) status and trends of threats; and (5) other new 
information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to, 
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous 
information

[[Page 16539]]

contained in the list of threatened and endangered species, and 
improved analytical methods, if any. Any new information will be 
considered during the 5-year review and will also be useful in 
evaluating the ongoing recovery programs for these whales.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: March 12, 2012.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-6575 Filed 3-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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