Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for the Exclusive Economic Zone of St. Croix, 13280-13282 [2014-05151]

Download as PDF 13280 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 46 / Monday, March 10, 2014 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Cranford, Sacramento, CA (phone: (916) 930–3706, email: Amanda.Cranford@noaa.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Species Covered in This Notice This notice is relevant to federally threatened California Central Valley steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), endangered Sacramento River winterrun Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), and the threatened southern distinct population segment of North American (SDPS) green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris). Authority Scientific research permits are issued in accordance with Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531– 1543) and regulations governing listed fish and wildlife permits(50 CFR Parts 222–226). NMFS issues permits based on findings that such permits: (1) Are applied for in good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, would not operate to the disadvantage of the listed species which are the subject of the permits; and (3) are consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. The authority to take listed species is subject to conditions set forth in the permits. Anyone requesting a hearing on the permit applications listed in this notice should set out the specific reasons why a hearing on the application(s) would be appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such hearings are held at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NMFS. Applications Received emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Permit 18251 The Marine Science Institute (MSI) is requesting a 5-year scientific research and enhancement permit for take of Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon smolts, Central Valley springrun Chinook salmon smolts, California Central Valley steelhead smolts, and juvenile SDPS green sturgeon associated with monitoring and research activities conducted in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta), Central Valley, California. The purpose of this research is to educate local 6th graders and their parents about the Delta ecosystem and to teach them how to be better stewards of the watershed. Part of this education process involves using an otter trawl to bring up a sample of local fish species in order to study them. The students learn about how their actions can affect VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:00 Mar 07, 2014 Jkt 232001 the watershed and the life with in it (topics include their personal water use/ conservation practices, wastewater versus storm drains, disposal of trash/ recycling, contaminates/ biomagnification, and household hazardous waste disposal). Students also learn about local native, non-native, threatened, and endangered animals. Overall this increases the general public’s knowledge and stewardship role in protecting the Delta and its inhabitants. This in turn increases the survival chances of the species of concern in an area that is politically charged around Delta issues. The students will go on a 3.5 hour voyage. During the voyage they will rotate through four stations: Hydrology (discussion based), Benthic (mud grab and invertebrate study), Plankton (plankton tow and identification), and Ichthyology (Otter trawl and fish identification). During the Ichthyology station a five minute mid-water trawl using an Otter trawl will be used to collect fish for the students to study. The net will emptied by instructional staff into a tank that is constantly refilled with water from the Delta. Any species of concern is then identified and immediately released back into the Delta. Fish are transferred from the tank back into Delta by buckets filled with water from the Delta to minimize the amount of stress the fish experiences. incorporated into the modified application without change Two to four RSTs will be deployed on the American River downstream of the Watt Avenue Bridge from 2014 through 2017. Each year, RSTs will be operated 5—7 days each week between January 1 and June 30. Trap operations will focus on the collection of the juvenile life stage of ESA-listed California Central Valley steelhead and non-listed fall-run Chinook salmon. If salmon that may be ESA-listed Central Valley spring- or Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon are captured, fin clips will be taken so those samples can be used in genetic studies to determine which runs are actually present. Captured fish will be released alive immediately downstream of the RSTs. The proposed monitoring project does not include activities designed to intentionally result in the death of listed taxa. Ten measures designed to reduce adverse effects relating to the monitoring project will be undertaken, e.g., servicing traps each day so none of the captured fish experience a hold time in excess of 24 hours. Dated: March 4, 2014. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–05089 Filed 3–7–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Modification Request Received Permit 17428—Modification 1 Permit 17428 was issued to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on January 23, 2013 for take of adult, smolt, and fry California Central Valley steelhead, juvenile Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon and juvenile Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon associated with research activities in the Lower American River, in Sacramento County, California. The modification is being requested because the original permit application underestimated the number of California Central Valley steelhead and Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon that would be caught by the American River rotary screw traps (RSTs). As described in the application, a higher take limit for those taxa is being requested, and those numbers more closely reflect the actual number of ESA-listed salmonids that were caught during the 2013 sampling season and could be caught in future years. Other language in the original permit application, e.g., the data collection procedures and avoidance and minimization measures, are hereby PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–BD33 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for the Exclusive Economic Zone of St. Croix National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Supplemental Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS); scoping meetings; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare a DEIS to describe and analyze a range of management alternatives for management actions to be considered when developing and establishing a Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of St. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM 10MRN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 46 / Monday, March 10, 2014 / Notices Croix. The purpose of this Supplemental NOI is to inform the public of upcoming opportunities to provide comments on the actions to be addressed in the DEIS, as specified in this notice. DATES: Written comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the DEIS must be received by NMFS by April 9, 2014. A second round of scoping meetings will be held in April 2014. For specific dates and times, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, under the heading, ‘‘Scoping Meetings’’. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the DEIS, identified by ‘‘NOAA– NMFS–2013–0092’’, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20130092, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Miguel Lugo, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, or to the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, ˜ 270 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 401, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918. Instructions: 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 by NMFS. 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.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. 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, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Electronic copies of the scoping document may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_ fisheries/caribbean/island_based/ index.html. The scoping meetings will be held in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. For specific locations, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, under the heading, ‘‘Scoping Meetings’’. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miguel Lugo, phone 727–824–5305, email Miguel.Lugo@noaa.gov; or ´ Graciela Garcıa-Moliner, phone 787– VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:00 Mar 07, 2014 Jkt 232001 766–5927, email Graciela.GarciaMoliner@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Currently, the Council manages Federal fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean under four speciesbased FMPs: The Spiny Lobster FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Spiny Lobster FMP), the Reef Fish FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Reef Fish FMP), the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Coral FMP), and the FMP for the Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Queen Conch FMP). The fishers, fishing community representatives, and the local governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) have frequently requested the Council consider the differences between the islands or island groups when addressing fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean to recognize the unique attributes of each U.S. Caribbean island. By developing island-based FMPs, NMFS and the Council would better account for differences among the U.S. Caribbean islands with respect to culture, markets, gear, seafood preferences, and the ecological impacts that result from these differences. At its 145th meeting, held on March 26–27, 2013, the Council decided to transition from species-based fisheries management to island-based fisheries management. If approved, a comprehensive FMP for fisheries management off St. Croix, in conjunction with similar comprehensive FMPs for fisheries management off Puerto Rico and off St. Thomas/St. John, would replace the existing speciesbased FMPs. Also at its March meeting, the Council voted to hold scoping meetings in July 2013 to receive public feedback on possible actions and alternatives to consider during the development of the St. Croix FMP, the Puerto Rico FMP, and the St. Thomas/St. John FMP. Based on public feedback received at the July scoping meetings, the Council decided at its 148th Meeting, held December 11– 12, 2013, to hold a second round of scoping meetings to present a more robust set of actions and alternatives. The Council could develop the comprehensive FMPs without significant changes to current Federal fisheries management. For example, the 2010 Caribbean Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Amendment (76 FR 82404, December 30, 2011) and the 2011 Caribbean ACL Amendment (76 FR 82414, December 30, 2011) established ACLs by island or island group with specific ACLs for the St. Croix EEZ. The PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13281 spatial and species-based attributes of these St. Croix ACLs, likely, would not change when developing the new FMP. However, a re-arrangement from species-based FMPs to island-based FMPs also provides an opportunity for the Council to update management regulations that are outdated or do not reflect the current state of issues in the St. Croix EEZ. In the comprehensive St. Croix FMP, the Council is considering management measures to modify the composition of the fishery management units (FMUs) by adding or removing species, establishing management reference points for any new species added into the FMUs, and modifying or establishing additional management measures. If regulations are to be changed, additional analyses to assess the impacts to the social, biological, economic, ecological, and administrative environments will be required. To implement the proposed provisions of this new FMP, the Council will develop a DEIS for the comprehensive St. Croix FMP that describes and analyzes the proposed management alternatives. The new FMP will provide the best available scientific information regarding the management of St. Croix EEZ fisheries, within the context of Federal fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean. Those alternatives will include, but are not limited to, a ‘‘no action’’ alternative regarding the continuation of speciesbased Federal fishery management in St. Croix, as well as alternatives to revise the management of U.S. Caribbean fisheries when developing the comprehensive St. Croix FMP. In addition, there will be alternatives to modify the current FMUs including, but not limited to, the ‘‘no action’’ alternative. Other actions could be included in the DEIS in response to public feedback during the scoping process. In accordance with NOAA’s Administrative Order NAO 216–6, Section 5.02(c), the Council and NMFS have 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 DEIS. After the DEIS associated with the development of the Comprehensive St. Croix FMP is completed, it will be filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After filing, the EPA will publish a notice of availability of the DEIS for public comment in the Federal Register. The DEIS will have a 45-day comment period. This procedure is E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM 10MRN1 13282 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 46 / Monday, March 10, 2014 / Notices 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. The Council and NMFS will consider public comments received on the DEIS in developing the final environmental impact statement (FEIS), and before voting to submit the FMP to NMFS for Secretarial review, approval, and implementation. NMFS will announce in the Federal Register the availability of the FMP for public review during the Secretarial review period. During Secretarial review, NMFS will also file the FEIS with the EPA for a final 30-day public comment period. This comment period will be concurrent with the Secretarial review period and will end prior to final agency action to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the FMP. NMFS will announce in the Federal Register, all public comment periods on the FMP, its proposed implementing regulations, and the associated FEIS. NMFS will consider all public comments received during the Secretarial review period, whether they are on the FMP, the proposed regulations, or the FEIS, prior to final agency action. Scoping Meetings All scoping meetings are scheduled for the weeks of April 7 and 14, 2014 (start times and locations are specified below). Participants at the scoping meetings may comment on any of the island-based FMPs (the Puerto Rico FMP, the St. Croix FMP, and the St. Thomas/St. John FMP) during any of the scoping meetings. The meetings will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Request for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council (see ADDRESSES). emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Supplemental Island-Based Scoping Meetings in Puerto Rico • April 7, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—at the Parador and Restaurant El Buen ´ Cafe, #381, Rd. #2, Hatillo, Puerto Rico. • April 8, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—at the Mayaguez Holiday Inn, 2701 Hostos Avenue, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. • April 9, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—at ´ the Asociacion de Pescadores Unidos ´ de Playa Hucares, Carr. #3, Km. 65.9, Naguabo, Puerto Rico. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:00 Mar 07, 2014 Jkt 232001 • April 10, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—at the DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan, De Diego #105 Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico. • April 14, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—at the Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, 3315 Ponce By Pass, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Supplemental Island-Based Scoping Meetings in the USVI • April 7, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—at the Windward Passage Hotel, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. • April 8, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.—at the Buccaneer Hotel, Estate Shoys, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 4, 2014. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–05151 Filed 3–7–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P The NEFMC’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet to discuss the role of social scientists on the SSC, how fishermen might be involved in SSC work and the use of multiple models in assessment and catch advice. The SSC also will hear an update on the work of the Council’s Risk Policy Working Group and a presentation on the National Academy of Sciences report, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fish Stock Rebuilding Plans in the United States. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Special Accommodations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD164 New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC); Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate. DATES: This meeting will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The meeting will be held at the Omni Hotel, 1 West Exchange Street, Providence, RI 02903; telephone: (401) 598–8000; fax: (401) 598–8200. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 5, 2014. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–05064 Filed 3–7–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request Corporation for National and Community Service. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has submitted a public information collection request (ICR) entitled AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsor Recruitment Practices Survey for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the Corporation for National and Community Service, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM 10MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13280-13282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05151]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-BD33


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan for the Exclusive Economic Zone 
of St. Croix

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

ACTION: Supplemental Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft 
environmental impact statement (DEIS); scoping meetings; request for 
comments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS, Southeast Region, in collaboration with the Caribbean 
Fishery Management Council (Council), intends to prepare a DEIS to 
describe and analyze a range of management alternatives for management 
actions to be considered when developing and establishing a 
Comprehensive Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the exclusive economic 
zone (EEZ) of St.

[[Page 13281]]

Croix. The purpose of this Supplemental NOI is to inform the public of 
upcoming opportunities to provide comments on the actions to be 
addressed in the DEIS, as specified in this notice.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the 
DEIS must be received by NMFS by April 9, 2014. A second round of 
scoping meetings will be held in April 2014. For specific dates and 
times, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, under the heading, ``Scoping 
Meetings''.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the DEIS, identified by ``NOAA-
NMFS-2013-0092'', by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0092, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Miguel Lugo, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, 
or to the Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 270 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera 
Avenue, Suite 401, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918.
    Instructions: 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 by NMFS. 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.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. 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, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    Electronic copies of the scoping document may be obtained from the 
Southeast Regional Office Web site at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/caribbean/island_based/.
    The scoping meetings will be held in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. 
Virgin Islands. For specific locations, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, 
under the heading, ``Scoping Meetings''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miguel Lugo, phone 727-824-5305, email 
Miguel.Lugo@noaa.gov; or Graciela Garc[iacute]a-Moliner, phone 787-766-
5927, email Graciela.Garcia-Moliner@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Currently, the Council manages Federal 
fisheries in the U.S. Caribbean under four species-based FMPs: The 
Spiny Lobster FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Spiny 
Lobster FMP), the Reef Fish FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands (Reef Fish FMP), the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and 
Invertebrates FMP of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Coral 
FMP), and the FMP for the Queen Conch Resources of Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands (Queen Conch FMP). The fishers, fishing community 
representatives, and the local governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands (USVI) have frequently requested the Council consider 
the differences between the islands or island groups when addressing 
fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean to recognize the unique 
attributes of each U.S. Caribbean island. By developing island-based 
FMPs, NMFS and the Council would better account for differences among 
the U.S. Caribbean islands with respect to culture, markets, gear, 
seafood preferences, and the ecological impacts that result from these 
differences.
    At its 145th meeting, held on March 26-27, 2013, the Council 
decided to transition from species-based fisheries management to 
island-based fisheries management. If approved, a comprehensive FMP for 
fisheries management off St. Croix, in conjunction with similar 
comprehensive FMPs for fisheries management off Puerto Rico and off St. 
Thomas/St. John, would replace the existing species-based FMPs.
    Also at its March meeting, the Council voted to hold scoping 
meetings in July 2013 to receive public feedback on possible actions 
and alternatives to consider during the development of the St. Croix 
FMP, the Puerto Rico FMP, and the St. Thomas/St. John FMP. Based on 
public feedback received at the July scoping meetings, the Council 
decided at its 148th Meeting, held December 11-12, 2013, to hold a 
second round of scoping meetings to present a more robust set of 
actions and alternatives. The Council could develop the comprehensive 
FMPs without significant changes to current Federal fisheries 
management. For example, the 2010 Caribbean Annual Catch Limit (ACL) 
Amendment (76 FR 82404, December 30, 2011) and the 2011 Caribbean ACL 
Amendment (76 FR 82414, December 30, 2011) established ACLs by island 
or island group with specific ACLs for the St. Croix EEZ. The spatial 
and species-based attributes of these St. Croix ACLs, likely, would not 
change when developing the new FMP.
    However, a re-arrangement from species-based FMPs to island-based 
FMPs also provides an opportunity for the Council to update management 
regulations that are outdated or do not reflect the current state of 
issues in the St. Croix EEZ. In the comprehensive St. Croix FMP, the 
Council is considering management measures to modify the composition of 
the fishery management units (FMUs) by adding or removing species, 
establishing management reference points for any new species added into 
the FMUs, and modifying or establishing additional management measures. 
If regulations are to be changed, additional analyses to assess the 
impacts to the social, biological, economic, ecological, and 
administrative environments will be required.
    To implement the proposed provisions of this new FMP, the Council 
will develop a DEIS for the comprehensive St. Croix FMP that describes 
and analyzes the proposed management alternatives. The new FMP will 
provide the best available scientific information regarding the 
management of St. Croix EEZ fisheries, within the context of Federal 
fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean. Those alternatives will 
include, but are not limited to, a ``no action'' alternative regarding 
the continuation of species-based Federal fishery management in St. 
Croix, as well as alternatives to revise the management of U.S. 
Caribbean fisheries when developing the comprehensive St. Croix FMP. In 
addition, there will be alternatives to modify the current FMUs 
including, but not limited to, the ``no action'' alternative. Other 
actions could be included in the DEIS in response to public feedback 
during the scoping process.
    In accordance with NOAA's Administrative Order NAO 216-6, Section 
5.02(c), the Council and NMFS have 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 DEIS.
    After the DEIS associated with the development of the Comprehensive 
St. Croix FMP is completed, it will be filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA). After filing, the EPA will publish a notice of 
availability of the DEIS for public comment in the Federal Register. 
The DEIS will have a 45-day comment period. This procedure is

[[Page 13282]]

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.
    The Council and NMFS will consider public comments received on the 
DEIS in developing the final environmental impact statement (FEIS), and 
before voting to submit the FMP to NMFS for Secretarial review, 
approval, and implementation.
    NMFS will announce in the Federal Register the availability of the 
FMP for public review during the Secretarial review period. During 
Secretarial review, NMFS will also file the FEIS with the EPA for a 
final 30-day public comment period. This comment period will be 
concurrent with the Secretarial review period and will end prior to 
final agency action to approve, disapprove, or partially approve the 
FMP.
    NMFS will announce in the Federal Register, all public comment 
periods on the FMP, its proposed implementing regulations, and the 
associated FEIS. NMFS will consider all public comments received during 
the Secretarial review period, whether they are on the FMP, the 
proposed regulations, or the FEIS, prior to final agency action.

Scoping Meetings

    All scoping meetings are scheduled for the weeks of April 7 and 14, 
2014 (start times and locations are specified below). Participants at 
the scoping meetings may comment on any of the island-based FMPs (the 
Puerto Rico FMP, the St. Croix FMP, and the St. Thomas/St. John FMP) 
during any of the scoping meetings. The meetings will be physically 
accessible to people with disabilities. Request for sign language 
interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the 
Council (see ADDRESSES).

Supplemental Island-Based Scoping Meetings in Puerto Rico

 April 7, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.--at the Parador and 
Restaurant El Buen Caf[eacute], 381, Rd. 2, Hatillo, 
Puerto Rico.
 April 8, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.--at the Mayaguez Holiday Inn, 
2701 Hostos Avenue, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
 April 9, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.--at the Asociaci[oacute]n de 
Pescadores Unidos de Playa H[uacute]cares, Carr. 3, Km. 65.9, 
Naguabo, Puerto Rico.
 April 10, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.--at the DoubleTree by Hilton 
San Juan, De Diego 105 Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
 April 14, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.--at the Holiday Inn Ponce & 
Tropical Casino, 3315 Ponce By Pass, Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Supplemental Island-Based Scoping Meetings in the USVI

 April 7, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.--at the Windward Passage 
Hotel, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
 April 8, 2014, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.--at the Buccaneer Hotel, 
Estate Shoys, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

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

    Dated: March 4, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05151 Filed 3-7-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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