Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 52830-52831 [2016-19002]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
52830
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices
be any animals other than lawfully
harvested spiny lobster and snowy
grouper longer than 209 mm total
length.
The vessel to be used for the project
would be a commercial spiny lobster
fishing vessel with valid licenses and
permits to commercially harvest spiny
lobster in the Federal waters off Florida.
The EFP would not exempt the
applicant from the relevant state of
Florida regulations for spiny lobster
harvest or from the Federal spiny lobster
regulations specified at 50 CFR Subpart
R. At least one of the applicants would
be present during each of the sampling
trips. If the EFP is approved, all
collections of juvenile snowy grouper
would be conducted during the 2016–
2017 and 2017–2018 commercial spiny
lobster seasons. All snowy grouper
would be collected as part of the
vessel’s normal commercial spiny
lobster fishing trips.
NMFS finds this application warrants
further consideration. Based on a
preliminary review, NMFS intends to
issue an EFP. Possible conditions the
agency may impose on this permit, if it
is indeed granted, include but are not
limited to, a prohibition of conducting
research within marine protected areas,
marine sanctuaries, special management
zones, or artificial reefs without
additional authorization. Additionally,
NMFS may require special protections
for Endangered Species Act listed
species and their critical habitat. A final
decision on issuance of the EFP will
depend on NMFS’ review of public
comments received on the application,
consultations with the appropriate
fishery management agency of the
affected state, the Council, and the U.S.
Coast Guard, and a determination that it
is consistent with all applicable laws.
Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 5, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–18999 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Aug 09, 2016
Jkt 238001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XE485
Notice of Availability of a Draft
Programmatic Environmental
Assessment for Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research Conducted and
Funded by the National Marine
Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries
Science Center
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft
Programmatic Environmental
Assessment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces the
availability of the ‘‘Draft Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for
Fisheries and Ecosystem Research
Conducted and Funded by the Alaska
Fisheries Science Center (AFSC).’’
Publication of this notice begins the
official public comment period for this
DPEA. The purpose of the DPEA is to
evaluate, in compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), the potential direct, indirect,
and cumulative impacts of conducting
and funding fisheries and ecosystem
research in the North Pacific Ocean and
the marine waters off of Alaska.
DATES: Comments must be received by
no later than September 9, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA
should be addressed to: DPEA
Comments, c/o AFSC Director’s Office,
7600 Sand Point Way NE., Building 4,
Seattle, WA 98115. Comments via email
may be sent to NMFS.AFSC.DPEA@
noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for
email comments sent to addresses other
than the one provided here. Comments
sent via email, including all
attachments, must not exceed a 10megabyte file size. A copy of the DPEA
may be obtained by writing to the
address specified above, telephoning the
contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the
internet at: https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/
dpea.html.
Documents cited in this notice may
also be viewed, by appointment, during
regular business hours, at the
aforementioned address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Daniel H. Ito, (206) 526–4232.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC)
is the research arm of National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the Alaska
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
region of the U.S. The AFSC conducts
research and provides scientific advice
to manage fisheries and conserve living
marine resources in the North Pacific
and marine waters off of Alaska. The
AFSC provides scientific data and
technical advice to a variety of
management organizations and
stakeholder groups, including the NMFS
Alaska Regional Office, North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (NPFMC),
State of Alaska, Alaska coastal
subsistence communities, and U.S.
representatives participating in
international fishery and marine
mammal negotiations, as well as the
fishing industry, environmental nongovernmental organizations and other
constituents.
NMFS has prepared the DPEA under
NEPA to evaluate several alternatives
for conducting and funding fisheries
and ecosystem research activities as the
primary Federal action. Additionally in
the DPEA, NMFS evaluates a related
action—also called a ‘‘connected
action’’ under 40 CFR 1508.25 of the
Council on Environmental Quality’s
regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)—which is the
proposed promulgation of regulations
and authorization of the take of marine
mammals incidental to fisheries
research under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally,
because the proposed research activities
occur in areas inhabited by species of
marine mammals, birds, and fish listed
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) as threatened or endangered, this
DPEA evaluates activities that could
result in unintentional takes of ESAlisted marine species.
The following four alternatives are
currently evaluated in the DPEA:
(1) No-Action/Status Quo Alternative—
Conduct Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research with Scope and
Protocols Similar to Past Efforts
(2) Preferred Alternative—Conduct
Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem
Research (New Suite of Research)
with Mitigation for MMPA and ESA
Compliance
(3) Modified Research Alternative—
Conduct Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research (New Suite of
Research) with Additional Mitigation
(4) No Research Alternative—No
Fieldwork for Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research Conducted or
Funded by AFSC
The first three alternatives include a
program of fisheries and ecosystem
research projects conducted or funded
by the AFSC as the primary Federal
action. Because this primary action is
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices
connected to a secondary Federal action
(also called a connected action under
NEPA), to consider authorizing
incidental take of marine mammals
under the MMPA, NMFS must identify
as part of this evaluation ‘‘(t)he means
of effecting the least practicable adverse
impact on the species or stock and its
habitat.’’ (Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the
MMPA [16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.]). NMFS
must therefore identify and evaluate a
reasonable range of mitigation measures
to minimize impacts to protected
species that occur in AFSC research
areas. These mitigation measures are
considered as part of the identified
alternatives in order to evaluate their
effectiveness to minimize potential
adverse environmental impacts. The
three action alternatives also include
mitigation measures intended to
minimize potentially adverse
interactions with other protected
species that occur within the action
area. Protected species include all
marine mammals, which are covered
under the MMPA, all species listed
under the ESA, and bird species
protected under the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act.
NMFS is also evaluating a second
type of no-action alternative that
considers no Federal funding for field
fisheries and ecosystem research
activities. This is called the No Research
Alternative to distinguish it from the
No-Action/Status Quo Alternative. The
No-Action/Status Quo Alternative will
be used as the baseline to compare all
of the other alternatives.
Potential direct and indirect effects on
the environment are evaluated under
each alternative in the DPEA. The
environmental effects on the following
resources are considered: Physical
environment, special resource areas,
fish, marine mammals, birds,
invertebrates, and the social and
economic environment. Cumulative
effects of external actions and the
contribution of fisheries and ecosystem
research activities to the overall
cumulative impact on the
aforementioned resources is also
evaluated in the DPEA for the three
main geographic regions in which AFSC
surveys are conducted.
NMFS requests comments on the
DPEA for Fisheries and Ecosystem
Research Conducted and Funded by the
National Marine Fisheries Service,
Alaska Fisheries Science Center.
Through this notice, NMFS is notifying
the public that a DPEA is available for
review so that interested or affected
people may participate and contribute
to the final decision. NMFS is seeking
written public comments on the scope
of issues, potential impacts, and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Aug 09, 2016
Jkt 238001
alternatives considered in the DPEA.
Written comments will be accepted at
the address above (see ADDRESSES).
Written comments should be as specific
as possible to be the most helpful.
Written comments received, including
the names and addresses of those
submitting them, will be considered
part of the public record for this
proposed action and will be available
for public inspection. Please include,
with your comments, any supporting
data or literature citations that may be
informative in substantiating your
comment.
Dated: August 1, 2016.
Douglas P. DeMaster,
Director, Alaska Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–19002 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL
PROTECTION
Notice of Availability of Revised
Methodology for Determining Average
Prime Offer Rates
Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Consumer
Financial Protection (Bureau)
announces the availability of a revised
methodology statement, entitled the
‘‘Methodology for Determining Average
Prime Offer Rates.’’ The methodology
statement describes the data and the
methodology used to calculate average
prime offer rates for purposes of
Regulation C and Regulation Z. The
statement has been revised to reflect the
fact that the Bureau is using a different
source of survey data for the one-year
variable rate mortgage product to
calculate average prime offer rates.
ADDRESSES: The revised methodology
statement is available on the Web site of
the Federal Financial Institutions
Examination Council (FFIEC) at https://
www.ffiec.gov/ratespread/
newcalchelp.aspx#4.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Terry J. Randall, Counsel, Office of
Regulations, at 202–435–7700.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
average prime offer rates (APORs) are
annual percentage rates derived from
average interest rates, points, and other
loan pricing terms offered to borrowers
by a representative sample of lenders for
mortgage loans that have low-risk
pricing characteristics. APORs have
implications for data reporters under
Regulation C and creditors under
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
52831
Regulation Z. Regulation C requires
covered financial institutions to report,
for certain transactions, the difference
between a loan’s annual percentage rate
(APR) and the APOR for a comparable
transaction.1 Under Regulation Z, a
creditor may be subject to certain
special provisions if the difference
between a loan’s APR and the APOR for
a comparable transaction exceeds
certain thresholds.2
The Bureau calculates APORs on a
weekly basis according to a
methodology statement that is available
to the public. The Bureau has revised
the methodology statement to reflect a
change in the source of survey data for
the one-year variable rate mortgage
product that it began using to calculate
the weekly APORs on July 7, 2016. The
Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market
Survey® (PMMS) previously provided
survey data for that mortgage product
that, together with data for other
products from the same survey, has
been used to calculate the weekly
APORs. Freddie Mac has discontinued
publishing the one-year variable rate
mortgage data. Beginning on July 7,
2016, the Bureau started using data
provided by HSH Associates for the oneyear variable rate mortgage product to
calculate the weekly APORs, while
continuing to derive the other data used
by the methodology from the PMMS.
The Bureau has revised the
methodology statement in light of that
change. No other substantive changes
have been made to the methodology
statement.
Dated: August 2, 2016.
Richard Cordray,
Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection.
[FR Doc. 2016–18899 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
[Docket ID: USA–2016–HQ–0028]
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
Department of the Army, DoD.
Notice to alter a system of
AGENCY:
ACTION:
records.
The Department of the Army
proposes to alter a system of records
notice A0690–600 SAMR, entitled
‘‘Equal Opportunity and Equal
Employment Opportunity Complaint
SUMMARY:
1 12
2 12
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
CFR 1003.4(a)(12)(i).
CFR 1026.35(a) and 1026.32(a)(1)(i).
10AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52830-52831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19002]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE485
Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental
Assessment for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by
the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental
Assessment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of the ``Draft Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research
Conducted and Funded by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC).''
Publication of this notice begins the official public comment period
for this DPEA. The purpose of the DPEA is to evaluate, in compliance
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the potential
direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of conducting and funding
fisheries and ecosystem research in the North Pacific Ocean and the
marine waters off of Alaska.
DATES: Comments must be received by no later than September 9, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA should be addressed to: DPEA Comments,
c/o AFSC Director's Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Building 4,
Seattle, WA 98115. Comments via email may be sent to
NMFS.AFSC.DPEA@noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for email comments
sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via
email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file
size. A copy of the DPEA may be obtained by writing to the address
specified above, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet at: https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/dpea.html.
Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment,
during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel H. Ito, (206) 526-4232.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC)
is the research arm of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the
Alaska region of the U.S. The AFSC conducts research and provides
scientific advice to manage fisheries and conserve living marine
resources in the North Pacific and marine waters off of Alaska. The
AFSC provides scientific data and technical advice to a variety of
management organizations and stakeholder groups, including the NMFS
Alaska Regional Office, North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(NPFMC), State of Alaska, Alaska coastal subsistence communities, and
U.S. representatives participating in international fishery and marine
mammal negotiations, as well as the fishing industry, environmental
non-governmental organizations and other constituents.
NMFS has prepared the DPEA under NEPA to evaluate several
alternatives for conducting and funding fisheries and ecosystem
research activities as the primary Federal action. Additionally in the
DPEA, NMFS evaluates a related action--also called a ``connected
action'' under 40 CFR 1508.25 of the Council on Environmental Quality's
regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)--which is the proposed promulgation of regulations
and authorization of the take of marine mammals incidental to fisheries
research under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally,
because the proposed research activities occur in areas inhabited by
species of marine mammals, birds, and fish listed under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) as threatened or endangered, this DPEA evaluates
activities that could result in unintentional takes of ESA-listed
marine species.
The following four alternatives are currently evaluated in the
DPEA:
(1) No-Action/Status Quo Alternative--Conduct Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research with Scope and Protocols Similar to Past Efforts
(2) Preferred Alternative--Conduct Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem
Research (New Suite of Research) with Mitigation for MMPA and ESA
Compliance
(3) Modified Research Alternative-- Conduct Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research (New Suite of Research) with Additional Mitigation
(4) No Research Alternative--No Fieldwork for Federal Fisheries and
Ecosystem Research Conducted or Funded by AFSC
The first three alternatives include a program of fisheries and
ecosystem research projects conducted or funded by the AFSC as the
primary Federal action. Because this primary action is
[[Page 52831]]
connected to a secondary Federal action (also called a connected action
under NEPA), to consider authorizing incidental take of marine mammals
under the MMPA, NMFS must identify as part of this evaluation ``(t)he
means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species
or stock and its habitat.'' (Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA [16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.]). NMFS must therefore identify and evaluate a
reasonable range of mitigation measures to minimize impacts to
protected species that occur in AFSC research areas. These mitigation
measures are considered as part of the identified alternatives in order
to evaluate their effectiveness to minimize potential adverse
environmental impacts. The three action alternatives also include
mitigation measures intended to minimize potentially adverse
interactions with other protected species that occur within the action
area. Protected species include all marine mammals, which are covered
under the MMPA, all species listed under the ESA, and bird species
protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
NMFS is also evaluating a second type of no-action alternative that
considers no Federal funding for field fisheries and ecosystem research
activities. This is called the No Research Alternative to distinguish
it from the No-Action/Status Quo Alternative. The No-Action/Status Quo
Alternative will be used as the baseline to compare all of the other
alternatives.
Potential direct and indirect effects on the environment are
evaluated under each alternative in the DPEA. The environmental effects
on the following resources are considered: Physical environment,
special resource areas, fish, marine mammals, birds, invertebrates, and
the social and economic environment. Cumulative effects of external
actions and the contribution of fisheries and ecosystem research
activities to the overall cumulative impact on the aforementioned
resources is also evaluated in the DPEA for the three main geographic
regions in which AFSC surveys are conducted.
NMFS requests comments on the DPEA for Fisheries and Ecosystem
Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service,
Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Through this notice, NMFS is notifying
the public that a DPEA is available for review so that interested or
affected people may participate and contribute to the final decision.
NMFS is seeking written public comments on the scope of issues,
potential impacts, and alternatives considered in the DPEA. Written
comments will be accepted at the address above (see ADDRESSES). Written
comments should be as specific as possible to be the most helpful.
Written comments received, including the names and addresses of those
submitting them, will be considered part of the public record for this
proposed action and will be available for public inspection. Please
include, with your comments, any supporting data or literature
citations that may be informative in substantiating your comment.
Dated: August 1, 2016.
Douglas P. DeMaster,
Director, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-19002 Filed 8-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
