Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the Proposed United States Regional Climate Reference Network (USRCRN), 18323 [2013-06966]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 58 / Tuesday, March 26, 2013 / Notices 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. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the Proposed United States Regional Climate Reference Network (USRCRN) Carrie Hubard or Kristy Beard, (301) 427–8401. The subject permit is requested 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). Dr. Mitani requests a five-year permit to study gray and killer whales in Alaskan waters, including the Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Arctic Ocean. The objectives of the research are to examine the distribution and movement patterns of gray and killer whales in the area. The marine mammal research is part of a larger study on the reduction of sea ice in the Arctic with the goal of developing predictive ecosystem models. Research methods would consist of vessel surveys, photo-identification, behavioral observations, passive acoustics, thermal imaging, collection of sloughed skin and prey items, and dart tagging. Annually, up to ten killer whales and ten gray whales may have a LIMPET satellite dart tag attached. An additional 1000 animals of each species would be approached for non-invasive research activities or incidentally harassed annually. No other marine mammal species would be approached. 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. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: March 21, 2013. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–06827 Filed 3–25–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:07 Mar 25, 2013 Jkt 229001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 121203679–2679–01] RIN 0648–XC386 National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of Availability; Opportunity for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NOAA announces the public release of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) of the proposed USRCRN in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and NOAA Administrative Order 216–6, Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. Written public comments on the Draft PEA are being accepted for a 30-day period following publication of this NOA. Comments received will be reviewed and taken into consideration during preparation of a Final PEA. The Draft PEA evaluates the environmental impacts from the Proposed Action to implement, operate, and manage the USRCRN Program and the No Action alternative. Written comments and input will be accepted on or before April 25, 2013. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Desiree Gordon, Environmental Engineer, NOAA, Safety and Environmental Compliance Office, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC–4; Room 11126, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Email: seco@noaa.gov ATTN: USRCRN. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Desiree Gordon at the address provided above. A copy of the Draft PEA can be viewed or downloaded at https://www.seco.noaa.gov/ environmental_compliance/ Final_Draft%20PEA_11_16_12-rev2.pdf. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Weather Service, in collaboration with the National Climatic Data Center, is proposing to implement, operate, and manage a USRCRN. With other climate monitoring efforts deployed at differing scales and density, the proposed USRCRN would provide a 18323 greater density of reliable, high-quality climate data for use in climatemonitoring activities and for placing current climate anomalies into a regional and historical perspective. Each USRCRN Web site is solar-powered and has a footprint of approximately 24 feet by 24 feet with a 10-foot tall mast/tower. It is typically located away from tall objects and existing or anticipated future development. Beginning with a pilot deployment and operation project in the Southwest region, 538 USRCRN stations would be deployed over multiple years in nine NOAA climate regions throughout the continental United States at an approximate 80-mile grid spacing. Key among the operational considerations is the placement of USRCRN Web sites on public lands not expected to undergo development for the foreseeable future (50 to 100 years). Preferred Web sites meeting these criteria are often on Federal lands, and selection would occur in coordination with the land managers within Federal agencies and bureaus. Other undeveloped properties meeting these criteria are present on state-owned lands such as at parks, airports, or state university reserves. Unencumbered properties on Federal or state public lands that meet the spatial requirements for the USRCRN would be considered as candidate sites. Dated: March 20, 2013. David Murray, Director, Management and Organization Division, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, National Weather Service. [FR Doc. 2013–06966 Filed 3–25–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KE–P DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC577 Pacific Halibut Fishery; Guideline Harvest Levels for the Guided Sport Fishery for Pacific Halibut in International Pacific Halibut Commission Regulatory Areas 2C and 3A National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of guideline harvest level. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS provides notice of the 2013 Pacific halibut guideline harvest levels (GHLs) for the guided sport fishery in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Areas 2C E:\FR\FM\26MRN1.SGM 26MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 18323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06966]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 121203679-2679-01]
RIN 0648-XC386


Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment of the Proposed United States Regional Climate Reference 
Network (USRCRN)

AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice of Availability; Opportunity for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NOAA announces the public release of the Draft Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (PEA) of the proposed USRCRN in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council 
on Environmental Quality Regulations, and NOAA Administrative Order 
216-6, Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act. Written public comments on the Draft PEA are 
being accepted for a 30-day period following publication of this NOA. 
Comments received will be reviewed and taken into consideration during 
preparation of a Final PEA. The Draft PEA evaluates the environmental 
impacts from the Proposed Action to implement, operate, and manage the 
USRCRN Program and the No Action alternative.

DATES: Written comments and input will be accepted on or before April 
25, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Desiree Gordon, 
Environmental Engineer, NOAA, Safety and Environmental Compliance 
Office, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC-4; Room 11126, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, Email: seco@noaa.gov ATTN: USRCRN.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Desiree Gordon at the address 
provided above. A copy of the Draft PEA can be viewed or downloaded at 
https://www.seco.noaa.gov/environmental_compliance/Final_Draft%20PEA_11_16_12-rev2.pdf.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Weather Service, in 
collaboration with the National Climatic Data Center, is proposing to 
implement, operate, and manage a USRCRN. With other climate monitoring 
efforts deployed at differing scales and density, the proposed USRCRN 
would provide a greater density of reliable, high-quality climate data 
for use in climate-monitoring activities and for placing current 
climate anomalies into a regional and historical perspective. Each 
USRCRN Web site is solar-powered and has a footprint of approximately 
24 feet by 24 feet with a 10-foot tall mast/tower. It is typically 
located away from tall objects and existing or anticipated future 
development.
    Beginning with a pilot deployment and operation project in the 
Southwest region, 538 USRCRN stations would be deployed over multiple 
years in nine NOAA climate regions throughout the continental United 
States at an approximate 80-mile grid spacing. Key among the 
operational considerations is the placement of USRCRN Web sites on 
public lands not expected to undergo development for the foreseeable 
future (50 to 100 years). Preferred Web sites meeting these criteria 
are often on Federal lands, and selection would occur in coordination 
with the land managers within Federal agencies and bureaus. Other 
undeveloped properties meeting these criteria are present on state-
owned lands such as at parks, airports, or state university reserves. 
Unencumbered properties on Federal or state public lands that meet the 
spatial requirements for the USRCRN would be considered as candidate 
sites.

    Dated: March 20, 2013.
David Murray,
Director, Management and Organization Division, Office of the Chief 
Financial Officer, National Weather Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06966 Filed 3-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KE-P
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