Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan, 16752-16753 [2014-06480]

Download as PDF 16752 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 2014 / Proposed Rules J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations Executive Order (EO) 12898 (59 FR 7629, Feb. 16, 1994) establishes federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the U.S. EPA has determined that this action will not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority or low-income populations because it increases the level of environmental protection for all affected populations without having any disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on any population, including any minority or low-income population. This action updates regulatory provisions related to the HCFC trade ban: The effect is to prohibit export of HCFCs to a small list of countries that are not Party to the Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82 Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, Air pollution control, Chemicals, Exports, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, Imports. Dated: March 7, 2014. Gina McCarthy, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2014–05817 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 721 [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2012–0740; FRL–9907–54] emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS RIN 2070–AB27 Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances; Withdrawal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. AGENCY: EPA is withdrawing a significant new use rule (SNUR) proposed under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:14 Mar 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 substances generically identified as vinylidene esters, which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) P–12–298 and P–12–299. The Agency is taking this action in response to public comments received on the proposed rule. DATES: Proposed § 721.10623, published in the Federal Register of April 18, 2013 (78 FR 23184) is withdrawn as of March 26, 2014. ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2012–0740, is available at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566–0280. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at https:// www.epa.gov/dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: Kenneth Moss, Chemical Control Division (7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (202) 564–9232; email address: moss.kenneth@epa.gov. For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554– 1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of November 2, 2012 (77 FR 66149) (FRL–9366–7), EPA issued a direct final SNUR on the chemical substances generically identified as vinylidene ester, which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) P–12–298 and P–12– 299, in accordance with the procedures at § 721.160(c)(3)(i). EPA received notices of intent to submit adverse comments on this SNUR. Therefore, as required by § 721.160(c)(3)(ii), EPA removed the direct final SNUR in a separate final rule published in the Federal Register of December 21, 2012 (77 FR 75566) (FRL 9373–8), and in the Federal Register of April 18, 2013 (78 FR 23184), EPA issued a proposed SNUR for these chemical substances. EPA is now withdrawing the April 18, 2013 proposed rule, issued for two PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 chemical substances which were the subject of PMN P–12–298 and P–12– 299. This action is being taken based upon experimental data provided by the PMN submitter, and relevant environmental fate and toxicity data associated with cyanoacrylates submitted to the Agency during the public comment period for the proposed SNUR. The Agency determined that this information demonstrated that cyanoacrylates, rather than esters identified in the proposed rule, are more appropriate structural analogues for assessment of potential toxicity of the PMN substances to aquatic organisms, which was the basis for the notification requirements in the proposed SNUR. Based on review of experimental data provided by the PMN submitter, and relevant environmental fate and toxicity data associated with cyanoacrylates, the Agency no longer supports the original concerns for toxicity to aquatic organisms. The Agency’s previous concerns for ecotoxicity are mitigated due to the fact that, like cyanoacrylates, the PMN substances react quickly in the presence of water or moisture and the hydrolysis products are not expected to produce toxic effects to aquatic organisms at saturation. The record for the direct final and proposed SNURs on these chemical substances was established as docket EPA–HQ–OPPT–2012–0740. That record includes information considered by the Agency in developing these rules and this withdrawal, and the public comments received. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 721 Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous substances, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: March 13, 2014. Maria J. Doa, Director, Chemical Control Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. [FR Doc. 2014–06573 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 RIN 0648–BC77 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish Fishery; Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\26MRP1.SGM 26MRP1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 2014 / Proposed Rules Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of a fishery management plan amendment; request for comments. NMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils have submitted Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. NMFS is requesting comments from the public on the Amendment, which was developed by the Councils to improve the efficiency of the spiny dogfish fishery. Amendment 3 would implement a research set-aside program, update essential fish habitat definitions for spiny dogfish, allow carryover of management measures from one year to the next, and remove the seasonal allocation of the commercial quota. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 27, 2014. ADDRESSES: Copies of the amendment, including the Environmental Assessment and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA) and other supporting documents for the action are available from Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Suite 201, 800 N. State Street, Dover, DE 19901. The amendment is also accessible via the Internet at: https://www.nero.noaa.gov. You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2014–0036, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20140036, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Spiny Dogfish Amendment 3.’’ 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 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:14 Mar 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 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) 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 formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tobey Curtis, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281–9273. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Atlantic spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) fishery is jointly managed by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) also manages the spiny dogfish fishery in state waters from Maine to North Carolina through an interstate fishery management plan (FMP). The Federal Spiny Dogfish FMP was implemented in 2000, when spiny dogfish were determined to be overfished. The spiny dogfish stock was declared to be successfully rebuilt in 2010, and it continues to be above its target biomass. The regulations implementing the FMP at 50 CFR part 648, subpart L, outline the management procedures and measures for the spiny dogfish fishery. The Councils have developed and submitted Amendment 3, which is intended to update the FMP and improve management of the spiny dogfish fishery. Specifically, the Councils have recommended: (1) Adding an option for allocation of a small percentage (up to 3 percent) of the commercial quota for use in the Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program; (2) updating the definitions of essential fish habitat (EFH) for all life stages of spiny dogfish; (3) maintaining existing annual PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 16753 management measures until replaced via rulemaking (e.g., quota rollover); and (4) eliminating the seasonal allocation of the commercial quota in order to minimize conflicts with spiny dogfish fishing operations that occur in both state and Federal waters. This last action would improve alignment with the Commission’s Interstate FMP for spiny dogfish. The Commission’s FMP allocates the commercial quota by state/region, in contrast to the Federal FMP, which currently allocates the commercial quota to two semi-annual seasons. These different management approaches have occasionally resulted in misaligned in-season fishery closures between Federal and state waters, and confusion within the industry regarding where they can fish. This amendment is expected to help alleviate these issues by removing the Federal FMP’s quota allocation scheme. Public comments are solicited on Amendment 3 and its incorporated documents through the end of the comment period (see DATES). A proposed rule that would implement Amendment 3 will be published in the Federal Register for public comment. Public comments on the proposed rule must be received by the end of the comment period provided in this notice of availability of Amendment 3 to be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on the amendment. All comments received by May 27, 2014, whether specifically directed to Amendment 3 or the proposed rule for Amendment 3, will be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on Amendment 3. Comments received after that date will not be considered in the decision to approve or disapprove Amendment 3. To be considered, comments must be received by close of business on the last day of the comment period. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 19, 2014. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–06480 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\26MRP1.SGM 26MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16752-16753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06480]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

RIN 0648-BC77


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Spiny Dogfish 
Fishery; Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 16753]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a fishery management plan amendment; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery 
Management Councils have submitted Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish 
Fishery Management Plan for review by the Secretary of Commerce. NMFS 
is requesting comments from the public on the Amendment, which was 
developed by the Councils to improve the efficiency of the spiny 
dogfish fishery. Amendment 3 would implement a research set-aside 
program, update essential fish habitat definitions for spiny dogfish, 
allow carryover of management measures from one year to the next, and 
remove the seasonal allocation of the commercial quota.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 27, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the amendment, including the Environmental 
Assessment and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA) and 
other supporting documents for the action are available from Dr. 
Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council, Suite 201, 800 N. State Street, Dover, DE 19901. 
The amendment is also accessible via the Internet at: https://www.nero.noaa.gov.
    You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2014-0036, by any 
one of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0036, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 
Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the 
envelope ``Comments on Spiny Dogfish Amendment 3.''
    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) 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 formats 
only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tobey Curtis, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
(978) 281-9273.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Atlantic spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) fishery is jointly 
managed by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils). The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 
(Commission) also manages the spiny dogfish fishery in state waters 
from Maine to North Carolina through an interstate fishery management 
plan (FMP). The Federal Spiny Dogfish FMP was implemented in 2000, when 
spiny dogfish were determined to be overfished. The spiny dogfish stock 
was declared to be successfully rebuilt in 2010, and it continues to be 
above its target biomass.
    The regulations implementing the FMP at 50 CFR part 648, subpart L, 
outline the management procedures and measures for the spiny dogfish 
fishery. The Councils have developed and submitted Amendment 3, which 
is intended to update the FMP and improve management of the spiny 
dogfish fishery. Specifically, the Councils have recommended: (1) 
Adding an option for allocation of a small percentage (up to 3 percent) 
of the commercial quota for use in the Research Set-Aside (RSA) 
Program; (2) updating the definitions of essential fish habitat (EFH) 
for all life stages of spiny dogfish; (3) maintaining existing annual 
management measures until replaced via rulemaking (e.g., quota 
rollover); and (4) eliminating the seasonal allocation of the 
commercial quota in order to minimize conflicts with spiny dogfish 
fishing operations that occur in both state and Federal waters.
    This last action would improve alignment with the Commission's 
Interstate FMP for spiny dogfish. The Commission's FMP allocates the 
commercial quota by state/region, in contrast to the Federal FMP, which 
currently allocates the commercial quota to two semi-annual seasons. 
These different management approaches have occasionally resulted in 
misaligned in-season fishery closures between Federal and state waters, 
and confusion within the industry regarding where they can fish. This 
amendment is expected to help alleviate these issues by removing the 
Federal FMP's quota allocation scheme.
    Public comments are solicited on Amendment 3 and its incorporated 
documents through the end of the comment period (see DATES). A proposed 
rule that would implement Amendment 3 will be published in the Federal 
Register for public comment. Public comments on the proposed rule must 
be received by the end of the comment period provided in this notice of 
availability of Amendment 3 to be considered in the approval/
disapproval decision on the amendment. All comments received by May 27, 
2014, whether specifically directed to Amendment 3 or the proposed rule 
for Amendment 3, will be considered in the approval/disapproval 
decision on Amendment 3. Comments received after that date will not be 
considered in the decision to approve or disapprove Amendment 3. To be 
considered, comments must be received by close of business on the last 
day of the comment period.

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

    Dated: March 19, 2014.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06480 Filed 3-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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