Request for Information on the Development of a Long Term Monitoring Plan for Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico; MMAA104000, 66402-66403 [2014-26520]

Download as PDF 66402 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 216 / Friday, November 7, 2014 / Notices Sale 193 arbitrarily relied on a 1 billion barrel oil production estimate. Authority: This Notice of Availability for the Draft Second SEIS is in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and is published pursuant to 43 CFR 46.305. Comments must be received no later than December 22, 2014. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chukchi Sea OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 was held in February 2008. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) (predecessor to BOEM) received high bids totaling approximately $2.7 billion and issued 487 leases. The lease sale decision was challenged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. In 2010, the District Court remanded the case to the agency to remedy deficiencies pertaining to the agency’s compliance with NEPA. BOEM released a Final SEIS in August 2011 and the Secretary of the Interior reaffirmed the lease sale in October 2011. In February 2012, the District Court ruled the Department of the Interior had met its NEPA obligations on remand. In April 2012, the plaintiffs appealed the District Court’s decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In a January 22, 2014, opinion, the Ninth Circuit found MMS’s ‘‘reliance in the [Final Environmental Impact Statement] on a one billion barrel estimate of total economically recoverable oil was arbitrary and capricious.’’ The Ninth Circuit explained that ‘‘NEPA require[s] [the Agency] to base its analysis on the full range of likely production if oil production were to occur.’’ Id. The Ninth Circuit remanded the case to the District Court, which further remanded the matter to BOEM on April 24, 2014. BOEM has prepared a Draft Second SEIS for Lease Sale 193 in accordance with the April 24, 2014 remand order of the District Court. The Draft Second SEIS addresses the deficiencies identified in the Ninth Circuit opinion by analyzing the potential environmental effects of potential oil and gas activities associated with Lease Sale 193 based on a new exploration and development scenario. Prior to this NOA, BOEM made the Draft Second SEIS available to the public by issuing a press release and posting the Draft Second SEIS on the BOEM Web site. The Draft Second SEIS continues to be available on BOEM’s Web site at https://www.boem.gov/ Alaska-Region for downloading and viewing. In keeping with the Department of the Interior’s mission to protect natural resources and to limit costs, while ensuring availability of the mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:12 Nov 06, 2014 Jkt 235001 document to the public, BOEM will primarily distribute digital copies of the Draft Second SEIS on compact discs. BOEM has printed and will be distributing a limited number of paper copies. If requested, BOEM will provide a paper copy if copies are still available. You may request a paper copy by calling (907) 334–5200 or the toll free number at 800–764–2627. BOEM has distributed the Draft Second SEIS for viewing at the following libraries in Alaska: Alaska Resources Library and Information Service (Anchorage); University of Alaska Anchorage, Consortium Library; Alaska Pacific University, Academic Support Center Library; University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology; University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library; Nellie Weyiouanna Ilisaavik Library, Shishmaref; Katie Tokienna Memorial Library, Wales; Noel Wien Library, Fairbanks; Kaveolook School Library, Kaktovik; Koyuk City Library; Tikigaq Library, Point Hope; Trapper School Community Library, Nuiqsut; Juneau Public Library; University of Alaska Southeast Library, Juneau; Alaska State Library, Juneau; and Kegoyah Kozga Public Library, Nome. Written Comments: Federal, state, tribal, and local governments and/or agencies and all other interested parties may submit written comments on this Draft Second SEIS at: Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. In the field entitled, ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter BOEM–2014–0078, and then click ‘‘search.’’ BOEM will make available all comments in their entirety on https:// www.regulations.gov. However, to the extent practicable, BOEM will remove inappropriate content (i.e., contains vulgar language, personal attacks of any kind, threats, accusations, obscenity, or offensive terms that target specific ethnic or racial groups). Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Public Hearings: Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, BOEM will hold public hearings on the Draft Second SEIS. These hearings are scheduled as follows: PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 November 17, 2014, Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly Chambers, 163 Lagoon Street, Kotzebue, Alaska; November 18, 2014, City Qalgi Center, Point Hope, Alaska; November 19, 2014, Community Center, Point Lay, Alaska; November 20, 2014, R. James Community Center, Wainwright, Alaska; December 1, 2014, Loussac Library Complex, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, Alaska; December 3, 2014, Ilisagvik College (Albert Hall), 100 Stevenson Street, Barrow, Alaska; and December 4, 2014, Westmark Hotel, 813 Noble Street, Fairbanks, Alaska. All meetings will start at 7:00 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Routhier, Program Analysis Officer and Project Manager, BOEM, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99503–5823 or by telephone at (907) 334–5200. Dated: October 20, 2014. Walter D. Cruickshank, Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2014–25745 Filed 11–6–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM–14–0075] Request for Information on the Development of a Long Term Monitoring Plan for Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico; MMAA104000 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Request for information. AGENCY: BOEM, in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is issuing a request for information to aid in the development of a long-term monitoring plan (LTMP) for marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The LTMP will focus on the potential impacts to marine mammals from geological and geophysical data acquisition activities, including seismic surveys. This LTMP is a required element of BOEM’s petition for rulemaking under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). SUMMARY: Section 101(a)(5) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\07NON1.SGM 07NON1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 216 / Friday, November 7, 2014 / Notices within a specified geographical region, the incidental but not intentional, taking of marine mammals by citizens, providing that certain findings are made and the necessary measures are established, including requirements pertaining to monitoring. NMFS’ implementing regulations direct that a request for incidental take authorization include ‘‘the suggested means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring and reporting that will result in increased knowledge of the species, the level of taking or impacts on populations of marine mammals that are expected to be present while conducting activities, and suggested means of minimizing burdens by coordinating such reporting requirements with other schemes already applicable. . . .’’ (50 CFR 216.104(a)(13)). These regulations also direct that a monitoring plan include ‘‘a description of the survey techniques that would be used to determine the movement and activity of marine mammals near the activity site(s) . . . .’’ Id. BOEM is seeking public input on development of this LTMP as outlined in paragraphs 1–4 below; however, it will only consider comments that are relevant to marine mammal species that occur in the GOM (https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/pdf/ ao2012_summary.pdf) and the potential effects of geological and geophysical survey activities on those species. Please refer to https://www.boem.gov/ Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/GOMR/Gand-G-Survey-Techniques-InformationSheet.aspx for information on the types of geological and geophysical survey activities that may be proposed for use in the GOM. (1) BOEM is seeking input on monitoring measures that will improve our understanding of the occurrence of marine mammal species in the GOM (e.g., presence, abundance, distribution, density); individual responses to acute stressors or impacts of chronic exposure to stressors (behavioral or physiological); how anticipated responses to stressors impact either long-term fitness and survival of an individual or the larger population, stock, or species; mitigation and monitoring effectiveness; and the nature, scope, or context of likely marine mammal exposure to potential stressors/impacts (individual or cumulative, acute or chronic). (2) With regard to the nature, scope and context of marine mammal exposure, BOEM and NMFS are looking for a better understanding of the relationships among the geological and geophysical activities and existing environment (e.g., source VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:12 Nov 06, 2014 Jkt 235001 characterization, propagation, ambient noise); the affected species (e.g., life history, dive patterns); co-occurrence of marine mammal species with the geological and geophysical activities; and the biological or behavioral context of exposure (e.g., age, calving or feeding areas). (3) BOEM requests information related to the appropriate scope of this LTMP; study objectives necessary to increase understanding of the affected species; the effects of geological and geophysical survey activities on these species in both the short- and long-term; discrete study questions that will inform these objectives; and scientific methods (study design, methodology, or technology) to test these questions. (4) BOEM requests information regarding existing or upcoming marine mammal research efforts that may inform development of this LTMP, or with which it may be appropriate for this effort to coordinate to achieve monitoring goals, including those related to marine mammals in the GOM or monitoring programs worldwide aimed at long-term assessment of the effects of geological and geophysical activities on marine mammals. BOEM expects that this LTMP will be adaptive and will leverage existing monitoring efforts when feasible. (5) BOEM requests information pertaining to any other long-term monitoring plans for marine mammals that have been proposed or implemented, including those in other countries and regions. Comments: All interested parties may submit written comments on the development of the LTMP. BOEM will accept comments in either of the following two formats: 1. Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Search for: ‘‘Request for Information on the Development of a Long Term Monitoring Plan for Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico’’. (Note: It is recommended to include the quotation marks in your search terms.) You may also search via BOEM–14–0075. Click on the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button to the right of the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click ‘‘Submit.’’ 2. Comments may be submitted via email to monitoringplan@boem.gov with the subject line labeled ‘‘Request for Information, Gulf of Mexico Long Term Monitoring Plan’’. DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 8, 2014. Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses: BOEM does not consider PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66403 anonymous comments; please include your name and address as part of your submittal. BOEM makes all comments, including the names and addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that BOEM withhold their names and/or addresses from the public record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state your preference prominently at the beginning of your comment. All submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ´ Jennifer R. Laliberte, jennifer.laliberte@ boem.gov. Please note that written comments will not be accepted at this email address. All written comments must be submitted in the manner described under the ‘‘Comments’’ section provided above. Dated: November 3, 2014. Walter D. Cruickshank, Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2014–26520 Filed 11–6–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 731–TA–1153 (Review)] Tow-Behind Lawn Groomers From China; Scheduling of an Expedited Five-Year Review United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Commission hereby gives notice of the scheduling of an expedited review pursuant to section 751(c)(3) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)(3)) (the Act) to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order on tow-behind lawn groomers from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. For further information concerning the conduct of this review and rules of general application, consult the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A, D, E, and F (19 CFR part 207). DATES: Effective Date: October 6, 2014. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07NON1.SGM 07NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66402-66403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26520]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-14-0075]


Request for Information on the Development of a Long Term 
Monitoring Plan for Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico; MMAA104000

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Request for information.

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

SUMMARY: BOEM, in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS), is issuing a request for information to aid in the 
development of a long-term monitoring plan (LTMP) for marine mammals in 
the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The LTMP will focus on the potential impacts 
to marine mammals from geological and geophysical data acquisition 
activities, including seismic surveys. This LTMP is a required element 
of BOEM's petition for rulemaking under the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act (MMPA).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(a)(5) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 
1371(a)(5)) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request by 
U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial 
fishing)

[[Page 66403]]

within a specified geographical region, the incidental but not 
intentional, taking of marine mammals by citizens, providing that 
certain findings are made and the necessary measures are established, 
including requirements pertaining to monitoring. NMFS' implementing 
regulations direct that a request for incidental take authorization 
include ``the suggested means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring 
and reporting that will result in increased knowledge of the species, 
the level of taking or impacts on populations of marine mammals that 
are expected to be present while conducting activities, and suggested 
means of minimizing burdens by coordinating such reporting requirements 
with other schemes already applicable. . . .'' (50 CFR 216.104(a)(13)). 
These regulations also direct that a monitoring plan include ``a 
description of the survey techniques that would be used to determine 
the movement and activity of marine mammals near the activity site(s) . 
. . .'' Id.
    BOEM is seeking public input on development of this LTMP as 
outlined in paragraphs 1-4 below; however, it will only consider 
comments that are relevant to marine mammal species that occur in the 
GOM (https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/pdf/ao2012_summary.pdf) and the 
potential effects of geological and geophysical survey activities on 
those species. Please refer to https://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/GOMR/G-and-G-Survey-Techniques-Information-Sheet.aspx for 
information on the types of geological and geophysical survey 
activities that may be proposed for use in the GOM.
    (1) BOEM is seeking input on monitoring measures that will improve 
our understanding of the occurrence of marine mammal species in the GOM 
(e.g., presence, abundance, distribution, density); individual 
responses to acute stressors or impacts of chronic exposure to 
stressors (behavioral or physiological); how anticipated responses to 
stressors impact either long-term fitness and survival of an individual 
or the larger population, stock, or species; mitigation and monitoring 
effectiveness; and the nature, scope, or context of likely marine 
mammal exposure to potential stressors/impacts (individual or 
cumulative, acute or chronic).
    (2) With regard to the nature, scope and context of marine mammal 
exposure, BOEM and NMFS are looking for a better understanding of the 
relationships among the geological and geophysical activities and 
existing environment (e.g., source characterization, propagation, 
ambient noise); the affected species (e.g., life history, dive 
patterns); co-occurrence of marine mammal species with the geological 
and geophysical activities; and the biological or behavioral context of 
exposure (e.g., age, calving or feeding areas).
    (3) BOEM requests information related to the appropriate scope of 
this LTMP; study objectives necessary to increase understanding of the 
affected species; the effects of geological and geophysical survey 
activities on these species in both the short- and long-term; discrete 
study questions that will inform these objectives; and scientific 
methods (study design, methodology, or technology) to test these 
questions.
    (4) BOEM requests information regarding existing or upcoming marine 
mammal research efforts that may inform development of this LTMP, or 
with which it may be appropriate for this effort to coordinate to 
achieve monitoring goals, including those related to marine mammals in 
the GOM or monitoring programs worldwide aimed at long-term assessment 
of the effects of geological and geophysical activities on marine 
mammals. BOEM expects that this LTMP will be adaptive and will leverage 
existing monitoring efforts when feasible.
    (5) BOEM requests information pertaining to any other long-term 
monitoring plans for marine mammals that have been proposed or 
implemented, including those in other countries and regions.
    Comments: All interested parties may submit written comments on the 
development of the LTMP. BOEM will accept comments in either of the 
following two formats:
    1. Comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
https://www.regulations.gov. Search for: ``Request for Information on 
the Development of a Long Term Monitoring Plan for Marine Mammals in 
the Gulf of Mexico''. (Note: It is recommended to include the quotation 
marks in your search terms.) You may also search via BOEM-14-0075. 
Click on the ``Comment Now!'' button to the right of the document link. 
Enter your information and comment, then click ``Submit.''
    2. Comments may be submitted via email to monitoringplan@boem.gov 
with the subject line labeled ``Request for Information, Gulf of Mexico 
Long Term Monitoring Plan''.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 8, 2014.
    Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses: BOEM does not consider 
anonymous comments; please include your name and address as part of 
your submittal. BOEM makes all comments, including the names and 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Individual respondents may request that BOEM withhold 
their names and/or addresses from the public record; however, BOEM 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. If you wish your name 
and/or address to be withheld, you must state your preference 
prominently at the beginning of your comment. All submissions from 
organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves 
as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer R. Lalibert[eacute], 
jennifer.laliberte@boem.gov. Please note that written comments will not 
be accepted at this email address. All written comments must be 
submitted in the manner described under the ``Comments'' section 
provided above.

    Dated: November 3, 2014.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-26520 Filed 11-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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