Availability of Seats for National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils, 27926-27927 [2015-11630]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 27926 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 94 / Friday, May 15, 2015 / Notices distinct population segment (DPS) as endangered under the ESA (73 FR 62919, October 22, 2008). The most recent (2014) abundance survey indicates a population of 340 Cook Inlet beluga whales that has declined 0.4 percent per year over the past ten years. The Cook Inlet belugas are the most reproductively and demographically isolated of all the Alaskan belugas, and are unique in Alaska because their habitat, a semi-enclosed tidal estuary in southcentral Alaska, is in close proximity to most of Alaska’s human population. The distribution of Cook Inlet belugas has changed significantly since the 1970s; in recent years the summer range has contracted to the upper reaches of Cook Inlet near Anchorage. This range contraction was coincident with the decline in population size. Ten potential threat types are identified and assessed in this draft recovery plan, based on current knowledge of threat factors. Assessments were made based on the information and data gaps presented in the plan’s background section. Climate change, while considered a potential threat to Cook Inlet beluga recovery, is not addressed as a separate threat, but rather is discussed with respect to how it may affect each of the listed threats. The ten identified threats were ranked in order of their relative concern (high, medium, low) to the Cook Inlet beluga population. Due to an incomplete understanding of the threats facing Cook Inlet beluga whales, NMFS is unable to identify with certainty the actions that will most immediately encourage recovery. Until we know which threats are limiting recovery, the strategy of this recovery plan is to focus on threats identified as medium or high concern. This should focus efforts and resources on actions that are more likely to benefit Cook Inlet beluga whale recovery. Under section 4(f)(1) of the ESA, recovery plans must contain objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a determination that the species be delisted. This recovery plan contains both demographic and threatsbased criteria for down- and delisting. The threat-based recovery criteria are designed to evaluate the five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors described in the ESA listing determination of the Cook Inlet belugas. The draft recovery plan proposes that Cook Inlet beluga whales may be reclassified from endangered to threatened (i.e., downlisted) when all of the following have been met: (1) The abundance estimate for the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS is greater than or equal to 520 individuals and there is 95 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 percent or greater probability that the 25-year population abundance trend (representative of one full generation) is positive; and (2) the 15 downlisting threats-based criteria are satisfied. The draft recovery plan proposes that the population will be considered for delisting when all of the following are met: (1) The abundance estimate for the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS is greater than or equal to 780 individuals and there is 95 percent or greater probability that the 25-year population abundance trend (representative of one full generation) is positive; and (2) the 15 downlisting and 6 delisting threatsbased criteria are satisfied. When determining recovery actions, we aimed to improve understanding of whether a particular threat is limiting recovery and to eliminate or mitigate that threat, or to improve our understanding of, and ability to manage, that threat. The actions in this recovery plan include research, management, monitoring, and outreach efforts, since a comprehensive approach to Cook Inlet beluga whale recovery is likely to have greater success than focusing on any one type of action. There are also actions targeted at incorporating new information and conducting regular reassessments, making this recovery plan an adaptive management plan. The total time and cost to recovery are very difficult to predict with the current information, and the total cost to recovery will be largely dependent upon the number of recovery actions requiring implementation. Since that cannot be determined prior to implementation of portions of this plan, the total cost presented assumes implementation of all recovery actions. As recovery progresses and we better understand the relationship between discrete threats and population dynamics, it may become apparent that there are some threats that need not be addressed to achieve recovery. However, we expect that recovery may take at least two generations (50 years). If every identified recovery action is implemented, and if recovery implementation lasts for 50 years (two generations), then the estimated cost of implementing this entire recovery program would be approximately $78.3 million. Any projections of total costs over the full recovery period are likely to be imprecise, and the cost estimates do not imply that funding will necessarily be available for all Cook Inlet beluga whale recovery tasks. NMFS requests and will consider all substantive comments and information presented during the public comment period as we finalize this Plan. NMFS PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 concludes that the Draft Recovery Plan meets the requirements of the ESA. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: May 11, 2015. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–11700 Filed 5–14–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Availability of Seats for National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice and request for applications. AGENCY: ONMS is seeking applications for vacant seats for 7 of its 13 national marine sanctuary advisory councils and for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council (advisory councils). Vacant seats, including positions (i.e., primary member and alternate), for each of the advisory councils are listed in this notice under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of marine or Great Lake resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve two- or three year terms, pursuant to the charter of the specific national marine sanctuary advisory council or the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council. DATES: Applications are due by June 30, 2015. ADDRESSES: Application kits are specific to each advisory council. As such, application kits must be obtained from and returned to the council-specific addresses noted below. • Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Michael Murray, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, University of California Santa Barbara, Ocean Science Education Building 514, MC 6155, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106–6155; (805) 893– SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 94 / Friday, May 15, 2015 / Notices 6418; email Michael.Murray@noaa.gov; or download application from https:// channelislands.noaa.gov/sac/council_ news.html. • Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Shelley DuPuy, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, 4700 Avenue U, Bldg. 216, Galveston, TX 77551; (409) 621–5151 extension 106; email Shelley.DuPuy@noaa.gov; or download application from https:// flowergarden.noaa.gov/advisorycouncil/ councilnews.html. • Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Becky Shortland, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411; (912) 598–2381; email Becky.Shortland@noaa.gov; or download application from https:// graysreef.noaa.gov/management/sac/ council_news.html. • Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Inouye Regional Center, ATTN: NOS/ONMS/Shannon Lyday, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818; (808) 725–5905; email Shannon.Lyday@noaa.gov; or download application from https:// hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/ council/council_app_accepting.html. • Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Katherine Van Dam, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606; (757) 591–7350; email Katherine.VanDam@noaa.gov; or download application from https:// monitor.noaa.gov. • National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Advisory Council: Joseph Paulin, National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, P.O. Box 4318 Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799; (684) 633–6500; email Joseph.Paulin@ noaa.gov; or download application from https://americansamoa.noaa.gov. • Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Elizabeth Stokes, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, 175 Edward Foster Road, Scituate MA 02066; (781) 545– 8026 extension 201; email elizabeth.stokes@noaa.gov; or download application from https://stellwagen.noaa. gov/management/sac/sachome.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on a particular national marine sanctuary advisory council, please contact the individual identified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ONMS serves as the trustee for 14 marine protected areas encompassing more than VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 170,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters from the Hawaiian Islands to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. National marine sanctuaries protect our Nation’s most vital coastal and marine natural and cultural resources, and through active research, management, and public engagement, sustains healthy environments that are the foundation for thriving communities and stable economies. One of the many ways ONMS ensures public participation in the designation and management of national marine sanctuaries is through the formation of advisory councils. National marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-based advisory groups established to provide advice and recommendations to the superintendents of the national marine sanctuaries on issues including management, science, service, and stewardship; and to serve as liaisons between their constituents in the community and the sanctuary. Additional information on ONMS and its advisory councils can be found at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov. Information related to the purpose, policies and operational requirements for advisory councils can be found in the charter for a particular advisory council (https:// sanctuaries.noaa.gov/management/ac/ council_charters.html) and the National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Implementation Handbook (https:// www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/ management/ac/acref.html). The following is a list of the vacant seats, including positions (i.e., primary member or alternate), for each of the advisory councils currently seeking applications for members and alternates: Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Nonconsumptive Recreation (primary); and Non-consumptive Recreation (alternate). Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Recreational Fishing (primary). Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Conservation (primary); University Education (primary); Sport Diving (primary); and Citizen-at-Large (primary). Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Commercial Shipping (primary); Commercial Shipping (alternate); Hawaii County (alternate); Lanai Island (alternate); Citizen-at-Large (alternate); Education (alternate); Tourism (alternate); and Whale Watching (alternate). PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 27927 Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Commercial and Recreational Fishing (primary). National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Advisory Council: Business and Industry (primary); and Community-at-Large: Tutuila—West Side (primary). Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: At-Large (primary); Business Industry (primary); Diving (primary); Diving (alternate); Education (2 primary seats); Fixed Gear Commercial Fishing (primary); Fixed Gear Commercial Fishing (alternate); Mobile Gear Commercial Fishing (alternate); Recreational Fishing (alternate); Research (2 alternate seats); and Whale Watch (primary). Authority: 16 U.S.C. Sections 1431, et seq. (Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary Program) Dated: April 13, 2015. Daniel J. Basta, Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2015–11630 Filed 5–14–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration New England Fishery Management Council; 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 Habitat Committee 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 Monday, June 1, 2015 at 9 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, 300 Woodbury Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801; telephone: (603) 431–8000; fax: (603) 501–3733. 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: E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27926-27927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11630]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Availability of Seats for National Marine Sanctuary Advisory 
Councils

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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

SUMMARY: ONMS is seeking applications for vacant seats for 7 of its 13 
national marine sanctuary advisory councils and for the Northwestern 
Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council 
(advisory councils). Vacant seats, including positions (i.e., primary 
member and alternate), for each of the advisory councils are listed in 
this notice under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Applicants are chosen 
based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the 
seat for which they are applying; community and professional 
affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of marine 
or Great Lake resources; and possibly the length of residence in the 
area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members or 
alternates should expect to serve two- or three year terms, pursuant to 
the charter of the specific national marine sanctuary advisory council 
or the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve 
Advisory Council.

DATES: Applications are due by June 30, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Application kits are specific to each advisory council. As 
such, application kits must be obtained from and returned to the 
council-specific addresses noted below.
     Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory 
Council: Michael Murray, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, 
University of California Santa Barbara, Ocean Science Education 
Building 514, MC 6155, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-6155; (805) 893-

[[Page 27927]]

6418; email Michael.Murray@noaa.gov; or download application from 
https://channelislands.noaa.gov/sac/council_news.html.
     Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory 
Council: Shelley DuPuy, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, 
4700 Avenue U, Bldg. 216, Galveston, TX 77551; (409) 621-5151 extension 
106; email Shelley.DuPuy@noaa.gov; or download application from https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/advisorycouncil/councilnews.html.
     Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: 
Becky Shortland, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, 10 Ocean 
Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411; (912) 598-2381; email 
Becky.Shortland@noaa.gov; or download application from https://graysreef.noaa.gov/management/sac/council_news.html.
     Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 
Advisory Council: Inouye Regional Center, ATTN: NOS/ONMS/Shannon Lyday, 
1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818; (808) 725-5905; 
email Shannon.Lyday@noaa.gov; or download application from https://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/council/council_app_accepting.html.
     Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: 
Katherine Van Dam, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, 100 Museum Drive, 
Newport News, VA 23606; (757) 591-7350; email 
Katherine.VanDam@noaa.gov; or download application from https://monitor.noaa.gov.
     National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Advisory 
Council: Joseph Paulin, National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, 
Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, P.O. Box 4318 Pago Pago, American Samoa 
96799; (684) 633-6500; email Joseph.Paulin@noaa.gov; or download 
application from https://americansamoa.noaa.gov.
     Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory 
Council: Elizabeth Stokes, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, 
175 Edward Foster Road, Scituate MA 02066; (781) 545-8026 extension 
201; email elizabeth.stokes@noaa.gov; or download application from 
https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/management/sac/sachome.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on a 
particular national marine sanctuary advisory council, please contact 
the individual identified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ONMS serves as the trustee for 14 marine 
protected areas encompassing more than 170,000 square miles of ocean 
and Great Lakes waters from the Hawaiian Islands to the Florida Keys, 
and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. National marine sanctuaries 
protect our Nation's most vital coastal and marine natural and cultural 
resources, and through active research, management, and public 
engagement, sustains healthy environments that are the foundation for 
thriving communities and stable economies. One of the many ways ONMS 
ensures public participation in the designation and management of 
national marine sanctuaries is through the formation of advisory 
councils. National marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-
based advisory groups established to provide advice and recommendations 
to the superintendents of the national marine sanctuaries on issues 
including management, science, service, and stewardship; and to serve 
as liaisons between their constituents in the community and the 
sanctuary. Additional information on ONMS and its advisory councils can 
be found at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov. Information related to the 
purpose, policies and operational requirements for advisory councils 
can be found in the charter for a particular advisory council (https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/management/ac/council_charters.html) and the 
National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Implementation Handbook 
(https://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/management/ac/acref.html).
    The following is a list of the vacant seats, including positions 
(i.e., primary member or alternate), for each of the advisory councils 
currently seeking applications for members and alternates:
    Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Non-
consumptive Recreation (primary); and Non-consumptive Recreation 
(alternate).
    Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: 
Recreational Fishing (primary).
    Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: 
Conservation (primary); University Education (primary); Sport Diving 
(primary); and Citizen-at-Large (primary).
    Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory 
Council: Commercial Shipping (primary); Commercial Shipping 
(alternate); Hawaii County (alternate); Lanai Island (alternate); 
Citizen-at-Large (alternate); Education (alternate); Tourism 
(alternate); and Whale Watching (alternate).
    Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Commercial and 
Recreational Fishing (primary).
    National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Advisory Council: 
Business and Industry (primary); and Community-at-Large: Tutuila--West 
Side (primary).
    Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: At-
Large (primary); Business Industry (primary); Diving (primary); Diving 
(alternate); Education (2 primary seats); Fixed Gear Commercial Fishing 
(primary); Fixed Gear Commercial Fishing (alternate); Mobile Gear 
Commercial Fishing (alternate); Recreational Fishing (alternate); 
Research (2 alternate seats); and Whale Watch (primary).

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. Sections 1431, et seq.
(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary 
Program)

    Dated: April 13, 2015.
Daniel J. Basta,
Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-11630 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P

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