Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for the Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American Green Sturgeon, 64959-64960 [2012-26237]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 206 / Wednesday, October 24, 2012 / Notices
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the subject
merchandise as set forth herein is
dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2012–26220 Filed 10–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC014
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 15777 and
17670
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of
application and receipt of application.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science
Center, Woods Hole, MA (Responsible
Party: Michael Simpkins), has
withdrawn application File No. 15777
and submitted a new application (File
No. 17670) for a permit to take marine
mammals during scientific research in
coastal waters and adjacent waters off
the northeast U.S.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
comments must be received on or before
November 23, 2012.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review by
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Comment’’ from the Features box on the
Applications and Permits for Protected
Species (APPS) home page, https://
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting
File No. 15777 from the list of available
applications.
These documents are also available
upon written request or by appointment
in the following offices:
Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS,
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705,
Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)
427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376;
Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930;
phone (978) 281–9328; fax (978) 281–
9394; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL
33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727)
824–5309.
Written comments on this application
should be submitted to the Chief,
Permits and Conservation Division, at
the address listed above. Comments may
also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
713–0376, or by email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
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SUMMARY:
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include the File No. in the subject line
of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
Division at the address listed above. The
request should set forth the specific
reasons why a hearing on this
application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (301)
427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
File No. 15777. The application,
submitted under the authority of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et
seq.), and the regulations governing the
taking and importing of marine
mammals (50 CFR part 216) was made
available for public comment on May 4,
2012 (77 FR 26513). In response to
public comments, the applicant
proposed substantial changes to the
numbers of and manner in which
marine mammals may be taken. The
changes, which are equivalent to a
major permit amendment as defined in
the regulations, require additional
public review and comment. The
application is hereby withdrawn and
replaced with a revised version, referred
to as File No. 17670.
File No. 17670. The subject permit is
requested under the authority of the
MMPA, and the regulations governing
the taking and importing of marine
mammals (50 CFR part 216). The
applicant requests a five-year permit to
take harbor seals (Phoca vitulina
concolor), gray seals (Halichoerus
grypus), harp seals (Pagophilus
groenlandicus), and hooded seals
(Cystophora cristata) during conduct of
stock assessment research, including
estimation of distribution and
abundance, determination of stock
structure, habitat requirements, foraging
ecology, health assessment and effects
of natural and anthropogenic factors.
Types of take include harassment
during shipboard, skiff, and aircraft
transect and photo-identification
surveys, and scat collection; and capture
with tissue sampling and instrument or
tag attachment. The applicant proposes
to capture up to 175 harbor seals and
225 gray seals annually for
measurement of body condition,
collection of tissue samples (e.g., blood,
blubber biopsy, skin, hair, swab
samples, vibrissae), and attachment of
telemetry devices. Up to 200 harp seals,
50 hooded seals, 59,000 harbor seals,
and 67,000 gray seals could be harassed
annually incidental to surveys, scat
collections and capture operations. The
applicant also requests research-related
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64959
mortality of up to 8 gray seals, 8 harbor
seals, 2 harp seals, and 2 hooded seals
per year. Permission is also sought to
import and export pinniped specimen
material (including soft and hard tissue,
blood, extracted DNA, and whole dead
animals or parts thereof) to/from any
country. The study area includes waters
within or proximal to the U.S. EEZ from
North Carolina northward to Maine, and
Canadian waters in the Gulf of Maine.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
Dated: October 18, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–26233 Filed 10–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC284
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Initiation of 5-Year Review for the
Southern Distinct Population Segment
of North American Green Sturgeon
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year
review; request for information.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces a 5-year
review of the Southern Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of North
American green sturgeon (Acipenser
medirostris) (hereafter, Southern DPS)
under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (ESA). On April 7,
2006, NMFS issued a final listing
determination for the Southern DPS as
threatened under the ESA. The purpose
of the 5-year review is to ensure the
accuracy of the listing classification for
this species. A 5-year review is based on
the best scientific and commercial data
available; therefore, we are requesting
submission of any such information on
the Southern DPS that has become
available since the listing determination
in 2006. We are also requesting
information regarding the status of the
Northern DPS of the North American
green sturgeon (hereafter, Northern
SUMMARY:
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64960
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 206 / Wednesday, October 24, 2012 / Notices
DPS), which is a NMFS Species of
Concern.
DATES: To allow adequate time to
conduct this review, we must receive
your information no later than
December 24, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2012–0198, 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–2012–0198 in
the keyword search. Locate the
document you wish to comment on
from the resulting list and click on the
‘‘Submit a Comment’’ icon on the right
of that line.
• Mail or hand-delivery: Chris Yates,
ATTN: Green Sturgeon Status Review,
National Marine Fisheries Service,
Southwest Region, Protected Resources
Division, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite
4200, Long Beach, CA, 90802–4213.
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 information that you
wish to protect from disclosure. 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:
Melissa Neuman, NMFS Southwest
Region, Protected Resources Division,
562–980–4115.
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 those species
currently under active review. This
notice announces our active review of
the Southern DPS of green sturgeon
currently listed as threatened.
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14:21 Oct 23, 2012
Jkt 229001
Public Solicitation of New Information
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 the Southern DPS since the listing
determination in 2006. The 5-year
review considers the best scientific and
commercial data and all new
information that has become available
since the listing determination or most
recent status review. Categories of
requested information include: (1)
Species biology including, but not
limited to, population trends,
distribution, abundance, demographics,
and genetics; (2) habitat conditions
including, but not limited to, amount,
distribution, and suitability; (3)
conservation measures that have been
implemented that benefit the species;
(4) status and trends of threats; (5) other
new information, data, or improved
analytical methods; and (6) corrections
including, but not limited to, taxonomic
or nomenclatural changes. The Southern
DPS consists of populations originating
from coastal and Central Valley
watersheds south of the Eel River in
California, with the only known
spawning population in the Sacramento
River. NMFS also seeks new
information available on the Northern
DPS, consisting of populations
originating from coastal watersheds
north of and including the Eel River.
The Northern DPS is listed as a NMFS
Species of Concern. At the time of the
Southern DPS proposed listing, NMFS
volunteered to revisit and update, if
necessary, the Northern DPS’ status in
five years time (70 FR 17386; April 6,
2005). Therefore, any information
submitted regarding the Northern DPS
will not be used as part of a formal 5year status review, but rather an
informal assessment of the DPS’ status
to verify whether its current position on
the Species of Concern List is still
appropriate.
Any new information will be
considered during the 5-year review and
will also be useful in evaluating ongoing
research and conservation activities and
may be incorporated into the final
recovery plan for the Southern DPS.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
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Dated: October 18, 2012.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–26237 Filed 10–23–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC308
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
AGENCY:
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council will convene a
webinar of the Standing and Special
Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical
Committees (SSC).
DATES: The webinar will convene at 1
p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2012
and will conclude approximately 5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
via webinar and is accessible by
computers (Windows or Mac), or by
iPhone, iPad, or Android device with
the GoToMeeting app available from the
App Store or Google Play. A registration
link to sign up for the webinar will be
available on the Council Web site.
Council address: Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council, 2203 N.
Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL
33607.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Atran, Population Dynamics
Statistician; Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council; telephone: (813)
348–1630.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Standing and Special Reef Fish SSC will
meet jointly via webinar on Thursday,
November 8, 2012 to review an analysis
of this year’s red snapper overharvest.
Under a rule published on May 30, 2012
[77 FR 31734] the acceptable biological
catch (ABC) for red snapper was set at
8.080 million pounds for 2012 and
8.690 million pounds for 2013, with 51
percent of the ABC allocated to a
commercial quota and 49 percent to a
recreational quota. The increase in the
ABC 2013 was contingent upon the
stock ABC not being exceeded in 2012.
If the stock ABC was exceeded in 2012,
the stock ABC and sector quotas would
remain at the 2012 levels unless the best
scientific information available
E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64959-64960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26237]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XC284
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review
for the Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American Green
Sturgeon
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces a 5-year review of the Southern Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of North American green sturgeon (Acipenser
medirostris) (hereafter, Southern DPS) under the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, as amended (ESA). On April 7, 2006, NMFS issued a final
listing determination for the Southern DPS as threatened under the ESA.
The purpose of the 5-year review is to ensure the accuracy of the
listing classification for this species. A 5-year review is based on
the best scientific and commercial data available; therefore, we are
requesting submission of any such information on the Southern DPS that
has become available since the listing determination in 2006. We are
also requesting information regarding the status of the Northern DPS of
the North American green sturgeon (hereafter, Northern
[[Page 64960]]
DPS), which is a NMFS Species of Concern.
DATES: To allow adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive
your information no later than December 24, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2012-0198, 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-2012-0198 in the keyword search.
Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and
click on the ``Submit a Comment'' icon on the right of that line.
Mail or hand-delivery: Chris Yates, ATTN: Green Sturgeon
Status Review, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Region,
Protected Resources Division, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA, 90802-4213.
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 information that you wish to
protect from disclosure. 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: Melissa Neuman, NMFS Southwest Region,
Protected Resources Division, 562-980-4115.
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 those species currently under active
review. This notice announces our active review of the Southern DPS of
green sturgeon currently listed as threatened.
Public Solicitation of New Information
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 the Southern DPS since the
listing determination in 2006. The 5-year review considers the best
scientific and commercial data and all new information that has become
available since the listing determination or most recent status review.
Categories of requested information include: (1) Species biology
including, but not limited to, population trends, distribution,
abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat conditions
including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and suitability;
(3) conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the
species; (4) status and trends of threats; (5) other new information,
data, or improved analytical methods; and (6) corrections including,
but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes. The Southern
DPS consists of populations originating from coastal and Central Valley
watersheds south of the Eel River in California, with the only known
spawning population in the Sacramento River. NMFS also seeks new
information available on the Northern DPS, consisting of populations
originating from coastal watersheds north of and including the Eel
River. The Northern DPS is listed as a NMFS Species of Concern. At the
time of the Southern DPS proposed listing, NMFS volunteered to revisit
and update, if necessary, the Northern DPS' status in five years time
(70 FR 17386; April 6, 2005). Therefore, any information submitted
regarding the Northern DPS will not be used as part of a formal 5-year
status review, but rather an informal assessment of the DPS' status to
verify whether its current position on the Species of Concern List is
still appropriate.
Any new information will be considered during the 5-year review and
will also be useful in evaluating ongoing research and conservation
activities and may be incorporated into the final recovery plan for the
Southern DPS.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: October 18, 2012.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-26237 Filed 10-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
