Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 8922-8923 [2016-03705]

Download as PDF 8922 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2016 / Notices NMFS consulted extensively with the Councils and with CEQ over the course of several years, held public hearings and a public workshop as authorized by Congress, issued a proposed rule and received over 150,000 public comments that were carefully analyzed and considered, developed and implemented an internal NMFS Policy Directive on MSA NEPA procedures, and released the draft NAO supplement for public comment. During this process, the Councils and stakeholders expressed a broad range of views regarding what MSA section 304(i) required and what improvements to the process were needed. MSA section 304(i) did not change or eliminate any existing MSA or NEPA requirements, but required development of revised and updated NEPA procedures that conformed to the timelines for FMP review and approval and integrated applicable procedures. NMFS has carefully considered all input received to date and believes the final NAO supplement fully satisfies requirements as mandated by Congress under MSA section 304(i). mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Comment 7. Compliance With NEPA, CEQ Regulations, and Other Guidance Comment: Several comments suggested that the draft NAO supplement should include various NEPA requirements established by CEQ regulations, guidance or other sources, such as avoiding the use of stale documentation, addressing new information, considering an adequate scope of alternatives, and identifying when an EIS is required. Response: NMFS is cognizant of the requirements of NEPA and the CEQ regulations, as well as other sources of Guidance such as CEQ’s ‘‘Forty MostAsked Questions.’’ The intent of the final NAO supplement is not to reiterate existing guidance and requirements, but to clarify how NMFS and Councils can work together to effectively comply within the context of MSA management and regulatory requirements. In addition, the main body of NAO 216–6 provides additional guidance on the types of NEPA documentation and how to use them. Comment 8. Requirement for Council Usage Comment: The policy should require that the NEPA analysis must be completed prior to Council deliberations so that Councils can rely upon that analysis to inform their deliberations. Response: NMFS and the Councils work cooperatively and collaboratively to address NEPA requirements for MSA VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Feb 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 fishery management actions while continually assessing new information and emerging fishery conservation and management issues. NMFS agrees that both the NEPA and MSA processes are enhanced by integrating NEPA into the Council process. The final NAO supplement encourages NMFS and the Councils to prepare and make available as much NEPA documentation as practicable (given timelines and resource needs) during the Council’s development of its management recommendation. This approach recognizes that the Councilproposed alternative, and thus final development of the NEPA analysis, may not occur until after a Council takes final action on its management recommendation. The final NAO supplement recognizes that there will be variations regarding the extent to which NEPA can be completed during council deliberations because of the need to take timely management action to address conservation and management needs as new information becomes available. To better integrate NEPA into the iterative and deliberative processes of the Councils while allowing enough flexibility so that the fishery management system can respond effectively in time-constrained situations and still comply with NEPA, the final NAO supplement identifies factors to consider and establishes a procedural nexus setting forth the minimum requirements for completeness in the Council process. Dated: February 11, 2016. Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–03684 Filed 2–22–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting and hearing. AGENCY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) and American Samoa Archipelago FEP AP SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Advisory Panel to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region. DATES: The Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP will meet on Thursday, March 10, 2016, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and the American Samoa Archipelago FEP AP will meet on Thursday, March 10, 2016, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. All times listed are local island times. For specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: The Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP will meet at the Council Office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813 and by teleconference. The teleconference will be conducted by telephone. The teleconference numbers are: U.S. toll-free: 1–888–482–3560 or International Access: +1 647 723–3959, and Access Code: 5228220. The American Samoa Archipelago FEP AP will meet at the Department of Commerce Market Conference Room, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone: (808) 522–8220. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public comment periods will be provided in the agenda. The order in which agenda items are addressed may change. The meetings will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business. Schedule and Agenda for the Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP Meeting Thursday, March 10, 2016, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Outstanding Council Action Items 3. Council Issues A. Council Program Review B. Overview of Eastern Pacific Ocean Swordfish C. FEP Review Modifications 4. Hawaii FEP Community Activities 6. Hawaii FEP AP Issues A. Report of the Subpanels i. Island Fisheries Subpanel ii. Pelagic Fisheries Subpanel iii. Ecosystems and Habitat Subpanel iv. Indigenous Fishing Rights Subpanel B. Other Issues 7. Public Comment 8. Discussion and Recommendations 9. Other Business Schedule and Agenda for the American Samoa Archipelago FEP AP Meeting Thursday, March 10, 2016, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Outstanding Council Action Items E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2016 / Notices this 5-year review, we will make the requisite determination under the ESA. DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than May 23, 2016. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time. ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document identified by NOAA–NMFS–2016–0016 by either of the following methods: • Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the ‘‘submit a Special Accommodations comment’’ icon, then enter NOAA– These meetings are physically NMFS–2016–0016 in the keyword accessible to people with disabilities. search. Locate the document you wish Requests for sign language to comment on from the resulting list interpretation or other auxiliary aids and click on the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, icon on the right of that line. (808) 522–8220 (voice) or (808) 522– • Mail or hand-delivery: Therese 8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the Conant, NMFS Office of Protected meeting date. Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Instructions: Comments must be Dated: February 18, 2016. submitted by one of the above methods Tracey L. Thompson, to ensure that the comments are Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable received, documented, and considered Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. by NMFS. Comments sent by any other [FR Doc. 2016–03705 Filed 2–22–16; 8:45 am] method, to any other address or BILLING CODE 3510–22–P individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered. All comments received are DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing National Oceanic and Atmospheric on www.regulations.gov without change. Administration All personal identifying information RIN 0648–XE441 (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be Endangered and Threatened Species; publicly accessible. Do not submit Initiation of 5-Year Review for Indus confidential business information, or River Dolphin otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and the required fields if you wish to remain Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), anonymous). Commerce. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year Therese Conant, NMFS Office of review; request for information. Protected Resources, 301–427–8456. SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 5-year SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the review of the Indus River dolphin ESA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Platanista gangetica minor) under the maintains a list of endangered and Endangered Species Act of 1973, as threatened wildlife and plant species at amended (ESA). The purpose of these 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals and 17.12 (for reviews is to ensure that the listing plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA classification of a species is accurate. requires that we conduct a review of The 5-year review will be based on the listed species at least once every five best scientific and commercial data years. On the basis of such reviews available at the time of the review; under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine therefore, we request submission of any whether or not any species should be such information on Indus River delisted or reclassified from endangered dolphins that has become available to threatened or from threatened to since their original listing as endangered endangered. Delisting a species must be in January 1991. Based on the results of supported by the best scientific and mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 3. Council Issues A. Council Program Review B. Overfishing of EPO Swordfish C. FEP Review Modifications 4. American Samoa FEP Community Activities 5. American Samoa FEP AP Issues A. Report of the Subpanels i. Island Fisheries Subpanel ii. Pelagic Fisheries Subpanel iii. Ecosystems and Habitat Subpanel iv. Indigenous Fishing Rights Subpanel B. Other Issues 6. Public Comment 7. Discussion and Recommendations 8. Other Business VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Feb 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8923 commercial data available and only considered if such data substantiates that the species is neither endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; and/or (3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active review. This notice announces our active review of the Indus River dolphin currently listed as endangered (56 FR 1463; January 14, 1991). Background information on Indus River dolphins including the endangered listing is available on the NMFS Office of Protected Species Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ pr/species/mammals/dolphins/indusriver-dolphin.html#documents. Determining if a Species Is Threatened or Endangered Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five following factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. Section 4(b) also requires that our determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available after taking into account those efforts, if any, being made by any State or foreign nation, to protect such species. Public Solicitation of New Information To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested parties concerning the status of Indus River dolphins. The 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data and all new information that has become available since the listing determination or most recent status review. Categories of requested information include: (1) Species biology including, but not limited to, population trends, E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8922-8923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03705]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of a public meeting and hearing.

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

SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
hold a meeting of its Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) 
Advisory Panel (AP) and American Samoa Archipelago FEP AP Advisory 
Panel to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues 
in the Western Pacific Region.

DATES: The Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP will meet on Thursday, March 10, 
2016, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and the American Samoa Archipelago FEP 
AP will meet on Thursday, March 10, 2016, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. All 
times listed are local island times. For specific times and agendas, 
see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP will meet at the Council 
Office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813 and by 
teleconference. The teleconference will be conducted by telephone. The 
teleconference numbers are: U.S. toll-free: 1-888-482-3560 or 
International Access: +1 647 723-3959, and Access Code: 5228220. The 
American Samoa Archipelago FEP AP will meet at the Department of 
Commerce Market Conference Room, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director, 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone: (808) 522-8220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public comment periods will be provided in 
the agenda. The order in which agenda items are addressed may change. 
The meetings will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled 
business.

Schedule and Agenda for the Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP Meeting

Thursday, March 10, 2016, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Outstanding Council Action Items
3. Council Issues
    A. Council Program Review
    B. Overview of Eastern Pacific Ocean Swordfish
    C. FEP Review Modifications
4. Hawaii FEP Community Activities
6. Hawaii FEP AP Issues
    A. Report of the Subpanels
    i. Island Fisheries Subpanel
    ii. Pelagic Fisheries Subpanel
    iii. Ecosystems and Habitat Subpanel
    iv. Indigenous Fishing Rights Subpanel
    B. Other Issues
7. Public Comment
8. Discussion and Recommendations
9. Other Business

Schedule and Agenda for the American Samoa Archipelago FEP AP Meeting

Thursday, March 10, 2016, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Outstanding Council Action Items

[[Page 8923]]

3. Council Issues
    A. Council Program Review
    B. Overfishing of EPO Swordfish
    C. FEP Review Modifications
4. American Samoa FEP Community Activities
5. American Samoa FEP AP Issues
    A. Report of the Subpanels
    i. Island Fisheries Subpanel
    ii. Pelagic Fisheries Subpanel
    iii. Ecosystems and Habitat Subpanel
    iv. Indigenous Fishing Rights Subpanel
    B. Other Issues
6. Public Comment
7. Discussion and Recommendations
8. Other Business

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522-8220 
(voice) or (808) 522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting 
date.

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

    Dated: February 18, 2016.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-03705 Filed 2-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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