Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Environmental Review Process for Fishery Management Actions, 40703-40704 [2014-16426]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 134 / Monday, July 14, 2014 / Proposed Rules
rules in a direct final action without
prior proposal because we believe these
SIP revisions are not controversial. If we
receive adverse comments, however, we
will publish a timely withdrawal of the
direct final rule and address the
comments in subsequent action based
on this proposed rule. Please note that
if we receive adverse comments on an
amendment, paragraph, or section of
this rule and if that provision may be
severed from the remainder of the rule,
we may adopt as final those provisions
of the rule that are not the subject of an
adverse comment.
We do not plan to open a second
comment period, so anyone interested
in commenting should do so at this
time. If we do not receive adverse
comments, no further activity is
planned. For further information, please
see the direct final action.
Dated: May 30, 2014.
Jared Blumenfeld,
Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2014–16295 Filed 7–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Chapter I
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2011–1019; FRL–9912–42]
RIN 2070–AJ93
Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals and
Mixtures; Extension of Comment
Period
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed
rulemaking; extension of comment
period.
AGENCY:
EPA issued an advance notice
of proposed rulemaking in the Federal
Register of May 19, 2014, concerning
hydraulic fracturing chemicals and
mixtures. This document extends the
comment period for 30 days, from
August 18, 2014, to September 18, 2014.
EPA is taking this action in response to
requests for an extension to allow
interested persons additional time to
submit comments.
DATES: Comments, identified by docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPPT–EPA–HQ–OPPT–2011–1019,
must be received on or before
September 18, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Follow the detailed
instructions provided under ADDRESSES
in the Federal Register document of
May 19, 2014 (79 FR 28664) (FRL–9909–
13).
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SUMMARY:
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16:01 Jul 11, 2014
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical information contact:
Mark Seltzer, Chemical Control Division
(7405M), Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone
number: (202) 564–2901; email address:
seltzer.mark@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.
This
document extends the public comment
period established in the Federal
Register document of May 19, 2014. In
that document, the Agency requests
comment on the information that should
be reported or disclosed for hydraulic
fracturing chemical substances and
mixtures and the mechanism for
obtaining this information. This
mechanism could be regulatory (under
the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) section 8(a) and/or section 8(d)),
voluntary, or a combination of both and
could include best management
practices, third-party certification and
collection, and incentives for disclosure
of this information. In addition, the
Agency is seeking comment on ways of
minimizing reporting burdens and costs
and of avoiding the duplication of State
and other Federal agency information
collections, while at the same time
maximizing data available for EPA risk
characterization, external transparency,
and public understanding. Also, EPA is
soliciting comments on incentives and
recognition programs that could be used
to support the development and use of
safer chemical substances and mixture
in hydraulic fracturing. EPA is hereby
extending the comment period, which
was set to end on August 18, 2014, to
September 18, 2014.
To submit comments, or access the
docket, please follow the detailed
instructions provided under ADDRESSES
in the Federal Register document of
May 19, 2014. If you have questions,
consult the technical person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Chapter I
Environmental protection, Chemicals,
Confidential business information,
Exploration and production, Fracking,
Hazardous substances, Hydraulic
fracturing, Oil and gas, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
40703
Dated: July 7, 2014.
James Jones,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2014–16460 Filed 7–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 700
[Docket No. 070824479–8107–02]
RIN 0648–AV53
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Environmental Review Process for
Fishery Management Actions
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
AGENCY:
NMFS withdraws a proposed
rule that would have established new
regulations pertaining to compliance
with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) in the context of fishery
management actions developed
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (MSA). Instead of going forward
with a final rule directly resulting from
the 2008 proposed rule, NMFS issued
an internal policy on February 19, 2013.
This policy, entitled ‘‘National
Environmental Policy Act Compliance
for Council-Initiated Fishery
Management Actions under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act’’ clarifies roles
and responsibilities of NMFS and the
Regional Fishery Management Councils
(Councils), explains timing and
procedural linkages, provides guidance
on documentation needs, and fosters
partnerships and cooperation between
NMFS and Councils on NEPA
compliance.
NMFS consulted with the Councils
and with the Council on Environmental
Quality (CEQ) on proposed revisions to
the 2013 NMFS NEPA policy directive,
and based on those consultations NMFS
now proposes to use this policy as a
basis for issuing revised and updated
NEPA procedures for MSA actions in
the form of a line-office supplement to
NOAA Administrative Order (NAO)
216–6. On June 30, 2014, NMFS
published a Federal Register notice of
availability of the draft revised and
updated NEPA procedures for MSA
actions and requested public comments,
with a 90-day public comment period.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\14JYP1.SGM
14JYP1
40704
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 134 / Monday, July 14, 2014 / Proposed Rules
The proposed rule published on
May 14, 2008 (73 FR 27998) is
withdrawn as of July 14, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Leathery via email at
steve.leathery@noaa.gov or via phone at
301–427–8014.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2007
Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act
(MSRA) required NMFS to ‘‘revise and
update’’ agency procedures to comply
with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) for fisheries actions. In
developing a proposed approach, NMFS
conducted extensive public outreach
which included the following:
• Consulted with the CEQ and the
Councils.
• Posted Trigger Questions,
developed by NMFS, and a Strawman
proposal, developed by the Council
Coordination Committee (CCC), for 60day public comment.
• NMFS made presentations at each
meetings of each Council on Trigger
Questions and Strawman during the 60day period; NMFS received over 1600
comments.
• NMFS published proposed rule
May 2008 with a 90-day comment
period; conducted 3 NMFS-sponsored
public hearings and a public workshop;
conducted presentations at meetings of
all eight Councils; and received over
150,000 public comments.
NMFS’s initial approach was to
propose a rule creating new regulatory
requirements aligning the decisionmaking processes of the Councils and
NMFS under the MSA with the
analytical and procedural requirements
of NEPA. The proposed rule would have
required Council consideration of draft
NEPA documents prior to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
DATES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:01 Jul 11, 2014
Jkt 232001
recommending fishery management
measures, and NMFS consideration of a
final NEPA document during Secretarial
review of the measures. These comment
periods could be less than 45 days each
in limited circumstances, but in no case
could the combined total of days be less
than 45, which is the minimum
comment period established by CEQ’s
regulations for Environmental Impact
Statements (EISs). The proposed rule
would have included regulatory
provisions pertaining to inadequate and
incomplete information, a new
categorical exclusion for exempted
fishing permits, and it would have
changed the name of the EIS-level NEPA
compliance document for fisheries to
reflect the integration of fisheries
management and environmental
considerations. It also would have
established a new NEPA tiering
mechanism modeled on fishery
management plan (FMP) ‘‘frameworks.’’
NMFS published the proposed rule on
May 14, 2008, and provided for a 90-day
public comment period. During the
public comment period, NMFS
delivered presentations at meetings of
all eight Councils and conducted three
NMFS-sponsored public listening
sessions: One in Washington, DC metro
area, one in St. Petersburg, FL, and one
in Seattle, WA. In addition, NMFS,
Council representatives and CEQ held
an interactive public workshop in the
Washington DC, area. By the close of the
public comment period, NMFS had
received over 150,000 comment letters,
many of which were form letters urging
NMFS to withdraw the proposed rule
and start over.
NMFS subsequently determined that
it would be more appropriate to revise
and update internal guidance rather
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 9990
than to create new regulatory
requirements. On February 19, 2013,
NMFS issued a policy titled ‘‘National
Environmental Policy Act Compliance
for Council-Initiated Fishery
Management Actions under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act.’’ This policy
clarifies roles and responsibilities of
NMFS and the Councils, explains
timing and procedural linkages,
provides guidance on documentation
needs, and fosters partnerships and
cooperation between NMFS and
Councils on NEPA compliance. This
policy satisfied the requirements of
section 304(i) of the MSA.
After issuing the 2013 Policy
Directive, NMFS consulted with the
Councils and with CEQ on proposed
revisions to the 2013 NMFS NEPA
policy directive, and based on those
consultations, NMFS now proposes to
use this policy as a basis for issuing
revised and updated NEPA procedures
for MSA actions in the form of a lineoffice supplement to NOAA
Administrative Order (NAO) 216–6. On
June 30, 2014, NMFS published a notice
of availability of the draft Revised and
Updated MSA NEPA procedures (79 FR
36726). Both the 2013 Policy Directive
and the draft Revised and Updated MSA
NEPA Procedures are available on the
web at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/
laws_policies/msa/nepa.html.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 8, 2014.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–16426 Filed 7–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\14JYP1.SGM
14JYP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 134 (Monday, July 14, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40703-40704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16426]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 700
[Docket No. 070824479-8107-02]
RIN 0648-AV53
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Environmental Review Process for
Fishery Management Actions
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS withdraws a proposed rule that would have established new
regulations pertaining to compliance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) in the context of fishery management actions
developed pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (MSA). Instead of going forward with a final rule
directly resulting from the 2008 proposed rule, NMFS issued an internal
policy on February 19, 2013. This policy, entitled ``National
Environmental Policy Act Compliance for Council-Initiated Fishery
Management Actions under the Magnuson-Stevens Act'' clarifies roles and
responsibilities of NMFS and the Regional Fishery Management Councils
(Councils), explains timing and procedural linkages, provides guidance
on documentation needs, and fosters partnerships and cooperation
between NMFS and Councils on NEPA compliance.
NMFS consulted with the Councils and with the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) on proposed revisions to the 2013 NMFS NEPA
policy directive, and based on those consultations NMFS now proposes to
use this policy as a basis for issuing revised and updated NEPA
procedures for MSA actions in the form of a line-office supplement to
NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6. On June 30, 2014, NMFS published
a Federal Register notice of availability of the draft revised and
updated NEPA procedures for MSA actions and requested public comments,
with a 90-day public comment period.
[[Page 40704]]
DATES: The proposed rule published on May 14, 2008 (73 FR 27998) is
withdrawn as of July 14, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Leathery via email at
steve.leathery@noaa.gov or via phone at 301-427-8014.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2007 Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization
Act (MSRA) required NMFS to ``revise and update'' agency procedures to
comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for fisheries
actions. In developing a proposed approach, NMFS conducted extensive
public outreach which included the following:
Consulted with the CEQ and the Councils.
Posted Trigger Questions, developed by NMFS, and a
Strawman proposal, developed by the Council Coordination Committee
(CCC), for 60-day public comment.
NMFS made presentations at each meetings of each Council
on Trigger Questions and Strawman during the 60-day period; NMFS
received over 1600 comments.
NMFS published proposed rule May 2008 with a 90-day
comment period; conducted 3 NMFS-sponsored public hearings and a public
workshop; conducted presentations at meetings of all eight Councils;
and received over 150,000 public comments.
NMFS's initial approach was to propose a rule creating new
regulatory requirements aligning the decision-making processes of the
Councils and NMFS under the MSA with the analytical and procedural
requirements of NEPA. The proposed rule would have required Council
consideration of draft NEPA documents prior to recommending fishery
management measures, and NMFS consideration of a final NEPA document
during Secretarial review of the measures. These comment periods could
be less than 45 days each in limited circumstances, but in no case
could the combined total of days be less than 45, which is the minimum
comment period established by CEQ's regulations for Environmental
Impact Statements (EISs). The proposed rule would have included
regulatory provisions pertaining to inadequate and incomplete
information, a new categorical exclusion for exempted fishing permits,
and it would have changed the name of the EIS-level NEPA compliance
document for fisheries to reflect the integration of fisheries
management and environmental considerations. It also would have
established a new NEPA tiering mechanism modeled on fishery management
plan (FMP) ``frameworks.''
NMFS published the proposed rule on May 14, 2008, and provided for
a 90-day public comment period. During the public comment period, NMFS
delivered presentations at meetings of all eight Councils and conducted
three NMFS-sponsored public listening sessions: One in Washington, DC
metro area, one in St. Petersburg, FL, and one in Seattle, WA. In
addition, NMFS, Council representatives and CEQ held an interactive
public workshop in the Washington DC, area. By the close of the public
comment period, NMFS had received over 150,000 comment letters, many of
which were form letters urging NMFS to withdraw the proposed rule and
start over.
NMFS subsequently determined that it would be more appropriate to
revise and update internal guidance rather than to create new
regulatory requirements. On February 19, 2013, NMFS issued a policy
titled ``National Environmental Policy Act Compliance for Council-
Initiated Fishery Management Actions under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.''
This policy clarifies roles and responsibilities of NMFS and the
Councils, explains timing and procedural linkages, provides guidance on
documentation needs, and fosters partnerships and cooperation between
NMFS and Councils on NEPA compliance. This policy satisfied the
requirements of section 304(i) of the MSA.
After issuing the 2013 Policy Directive, NMFS consulted with the
Councils and with CEQ on proposed revisions to the 2013 NMFS NEPA
policy directive, and based on those consultations, NMFS now proposes
to use this policy as a basis for issuing revised and updated NEPA
procedures for MSA actions in the form of a line-office supplement to
NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6. On June 30, 2014, NMFS published
a notice of availability of the draft Revised and Updated MSA NEPA
procedures (79 FR 36726). Both the 2013 Policy Directive and the draft
Revised and Updated MSA NEPA Procedures are available on the web at:
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/laws_policies/msa/nepa.html.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 8, 2014.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-16426 Filed 7-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
