North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings, 15572-15573 [2014-06133]

Download as PDF 15572 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 54 / Thursday, March 20, 2014 / Notices Joint Shrimp/Artificial Reef/Habitat Protection Committee Agenda, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 11 a.m. Until 11:15 a.m. 1. Summary of the Joint Shrimp/Ad Hoc Artificial Substrate Advisory Panel Meeting —Recess— Council Session Agenda, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 11:15 a.m. Until 5:15 p.m. 11:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: Call to Order and Introductions, Adoption of Agenda and Approval of Minutes. 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: The Council will receive committee reports from the Budget/Personnel and Administrative Management Committees. 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.: The Council will receive public testimony on Final Action—Joint Mackerel Amendment 20B—Boundaries and Transit Provisions, Final Action—Joint Framework Action to Increase Spanish Mackerel ACL, and Final Draft—Reef Fish Amendment 28—Red Snapper Allocation. The Council will also hold an open public comment period regarding any other fishery issues or concerns. People wishing to speak before the Council should complete a public comment card prior to the comment period. 4:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m.: The Council will review and vote on Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP), if any. 4:45 p.m.–5:15 p.m.: The Council will receive committee reports from the Red Drum and Joint Shrimp/Artificial Reef/ Habitat Protection Management Committees. ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Council Session Agenda, Thursday, April 10, 2014, 8:30 a.m. Until 3:45 p.m. 8:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m.: The Council will continue to receive committee reports from the Reef Fish, Data Collection, Shrimp, Sustainable Fisheries/ Ecosystem, and Mackerel Management Committees. 3:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m.: The Council will review Other Business items: Discussion on the RESTORE Act. 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 these meetings. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:48 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kathy Pereira at the Council Office (see ADDRESSES), at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 17, 2014. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–06139 Filed 3–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD191 North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings, April 7–14, 2014. DATES: The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. on Wednesday April 9, continuing through Monday April 14, 2014. The Scientific Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday April 7 and continue through Wednesday April 9, 2014. The Council’s Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday April 8 and continue through Friday April 11, 2014. The Ecosystem Committee will meet Tuesday April 8, at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All meetings are open to the public, except executive sessions. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 500 West 3rd Avenue, Anchorage, AK. Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Witherell, Council staff, telephone: (907) 271–2809. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Council Plenary Session: The agenda for the Council’s plenary session will SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 include the following issues. The Council may take appropriate action on any of the issues identified. 1. Executive Director’s Report (including Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) update. NMFS Management Report (including Electronic Monitoring (EM) update. ADF&G Report. USCG Report. USFWS Report. Protected Species Report. 2. Steller Sea Lions. 3. Review discussion paper for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Trawl Bycatch; review draft Economic Date Reporting (EDR) forms. 4. Review Fishery Cooperative reports. 5. Discuss template for Bering Sea Aleutian Island (BSAI) Crab co-op reports. 6. Amendment 80 5-year review. 7. Final action on Round Island Transit. 8. Bering Sea pollock fishery Chinook salmon Incentive Program Agreement (IPA) and chum Intercooperative Agreements (ICA) reports; Bering Sea and GOA salmon PSC genetics update. 9. Scallop Stock Assessment Fishery (SAFE); Plan Team report and Overfishing Level (OFL)/Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) specifications. 10. Discussion paper on Bering Sea Canyons. 11. Ecosystem Committee Report on ecosystem action planning. 12. Update on Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 5-year review. 13. Review Programmatic Supplemental Environmental Impact Assessment (PSEIS) Supplemental Information Report (SIR). 14. Research Priorities database (SSC review). 15. Pacific cod assessment models (SSC review). 16. Staff Tasking. The SSC agenda will include the following issues: 1. GOA Trawl Bycatch (EDR forms) 2. Amendment 80 5-year review 3. Salmon Bycatch genetics 4. Scallop SAFE 5. Bering Sea Canyons 6. EFH 5-year review 7. Pacific cod models 8. PSEIS SIR review 9. Research Priorities In addition to providing ongoing scientific advice for fishery management decisions, the SSC functions as the Councils primary peer review panel for scientific information as described by the Magnuson-Stevens Act section 302(g)(1)(e), and the National Standard 2 guidelines (78 FR 43066, July 19, E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 54 / Thursday, March 20, 2014 / Notices 2013). The peer review process is also deemed to satisfy the requirements of the Information Quality Act, including the OMB Peer Review Bulletin guidelines. The Agenda is subject to change, and the latest version will be posted at https://www.npfmc.org. Background documents, reports, and analyses for review are posted on the Council Web site in advance of the meeting. The names and organizational affiliations of SSC members are also posted on the Web site. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically identified 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. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Gail Bendixen at (907) 271–2809 at least 7 working days prior to the meeting date. Dated: March 17, 2014. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–06133 Filed 3–19–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD131 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction of the Block Island Transmission System National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request for comments. ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: NMFS has received an application from Deepwater Wind Block SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:48 Mar 19, 2014 Jkt 232001 Island Transmission, LLC (DWBIT) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to construction of the Block Island Transmission System. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to DWBIT to incidentally take, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during the specified activity. Comments and information must be received no later than April 21, 2014. DATES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Supervisor, Incidental Take Program, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The mailbox address for providing email comments is itp.magliocca@noaa.gov. Comments sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. NMFS is not responsible for comments sent to addresses other than those provided here. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. An electronic copy of the application may be obtained by writing to the address specified above, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ pr/permits/incidental.htm. Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. NMFS is also preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and will consider comments submitted in response to this notice as part of that process. The EA will be posted at the Web site listed above once it is finalized. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15573 Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. An authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment]. Summary of Request On March 11, 2013, NMFS received an application from DWBIT for the taking of marine mammals incidental to construction of the Block Island Transmission System. The application went through a series of revisions and the final version was submitted on November 26, 2013. NMFS determined that the application was adequate and complete on December 2, 2013. DWBIT proposes to develop the Block Island Transmission System (BITS), a bi-directional submarine transmission cable, over a 1-year period. The proposed activity could begin in late 2014 and last through late 2015; however, portions of the project would only occur for short, sporadic periods of E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15572-15573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06133]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD191


North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its 
advisory committees will hold public meetings, April 7-14, 2014.

DATES: The Council will begin its plenary session at 8 a.m. on 
Wednesday April 9, continuing through Monday April 14, 2014. The 
Scientific Statistical Committee (SSC) will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday 
April 7 and continue through Wednesday April 9, 2014. The Council's 
Advisory Panel (AP) will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday April 8 and 
continue through Friday April 11, 2014. The Ecosystem Committee will 
meet Tuesday April 8, at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All meetings are open to the 
public, except executive sessions.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 500 West 3rd 
Avenue, Anchorage, AK.
    Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 W. 
4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Witherell, Council staff, 
telephone: (907) 271-2809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Council Plenary Session: The agenda for the Council's plenary 
session will include the following issues. The Council may take 
appropriate action on any of the issues identified.

1. Executive Director's Report (including Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) 
update.
    NMFS Management Report (including Electronic Monitoring (EM) 
update.
    ADF&G Report.
    USCG Report.
    USFWS Report.
    Protected Species Report.
2. Steller Sea Lions.
3. Review discussion paper for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Trawl Bycatch; 
review draft Economic Date Reporting (EDR) forms.
4. Review Fishery Cooperative reports.
5. Discuss template for Bering Sea Aleutian Island (BSAI) Crab co-op 
reports.
6. Amendment 80 5-year review.
7. Final action on Round Island Transit.
8. Bering Sea pollock fishery Chinook salmon Incentive Program 
Agreement (IPA) and chum Inter-cooperative Agreements (ICA) reports; 
Bering Sea and GOA salmon PSC genetics update.
9. Scallop Stock Assessment Fishery (SAFE); Plan Team report and 
Overfishing Level (OFL)/Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) 
specifications.
10. Discussion paper on Bering Sea Canyons.
11. Ecosystem Committee Report on ecosystem action planning.
12. Update on Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 5-year review.
13. Review Programmatic Supplemental Environmental Impact Assessment 
(PSEIS) Supplemental Information Report (SIR).
14. Research Priorities database (SSC review).
15. Pacific cod assessment models (SSC review).
16. Staff Tasking.

    The SSC agenda will include the following issues:

1. GOA Trawl Bycatch (EDR forms)
2. Amendment 80 5-year review
3. Salmon Bycatch genetics
4. Scallop SAFE
5. Bering Sea Canyons
6. EFH 5-year review
7. Pacific cod models
8. PSEIS SIR review
9. Research Priorities

    In addition to providing ongoing scientific advice for fishery 
management decisions, the SSC functions as the Councils primary peer 
review panel for scientific information as described by the Magnuson-
Stevens Act section 302(g)(1)(e), and the National Standard 2 
guidelines (78 FR 43066, July 19,

[[Page 15573]]

2013). The peer review process is also deemed to satisfy the 
requirements of the Information Quality Act, including the OMB Peer 
Review Bulletin guidelines.
    The Agenda is subject to change, and the latest version will be 
posted at https://www.npfmc.org. Background documents, reports, and 
analyses for review are posted on the Council Web site in advance of 
the meeting. The names and organizational affiliations of SSC members 
are also posted on the Web site.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 
those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these 
meetings. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically 
identified 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.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Gail Bendixen at (907) 271-2809 at 
least 7 working days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: March 17, 2014.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06133 Filed 3-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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