Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle Launch Operations, 66264-66265 [2016-23257]

Download as PDF 66264 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 27, 2016 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES or other failures related to hardware, software or virus, or incomplete or late Entries. Any compromise to the fair and proper conduct of the FIA Challenge may result in the disqualification of an Entry or Participant, termination of the FIA Challenge, or other remedial action, at the sole discretion of NIST. NIST reserves the right in its sole discretion to extend or modify the dates of the FIA Challenge, and to change the terms set forth herein governing any phases taking place after the effective date of any such change. By entering, you agree to the terms set forth herein and to all decisions of NIST and/or all of their respective agents, which are final and binding in all respects. 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Verification of Potential Winner(s) All potential winners are subject to verification by NIST, whose decisions VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Sep 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 are final and binding in all matters related to the FIA Challenge. Potential winner(s) must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of the FIA Challenge Rules described in this notice, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner, or an announced winner, is found to be ineligible or is disqualified for any reason, NIST may make an award, instead, to another Participant. Privacy and Disclosure Under FOIA Except as provided herein, information submitted throughout the FIA Challenge will be used only to communicate with Participants regarding Entries and/or the FIA Challenge. Participant Entries and submissions to the FIA Challenge may be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (‘‘FOIA’’). Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3719. Phillip Singerman, Associate Director for Innovations and Industry Services. [FR Doc. 2016–23239 Filed 9–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [0648–XE710] Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle Launch Operations National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: Notice; receipt of application for letters of authorization; request for comments and information. ACTION: NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting space vehicle launch operations over the course of five years, from February 1, 2017 through January 31, 2022. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the AAC’s request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the AAC’s application and request. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comments and information must be received no later than October 27, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910– 3225 and electronic comments should be sent ITP.Egger@noaa.gov. Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. Comments sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ permits/research.htm without change. All personal identifying information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Egger, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Availability An electronic copy of the AAC’s application may be obtained online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental/research.htm. In case of problems accessing the document, please call the contact listed above. Background Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing), if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. Incidental taking shall be allowed if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) affected and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses, and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 187 / Tuesday, September 27, 2016 / Notices 216.103 as ‘‘. . . an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (Level B harassment). Summary of Request On September 14, 2016, NMFS received an adequate and complete application from the AAC requesting authorization for the take of marine mammals incidental to space vehicle and missile launch activities from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) for a period of five years. Space vehicle and missile launch activities have the potential to result in take of pinnipeds on nearby haul outs. Therefore, AAC requests authorization to take marine mammals that may occur in these areas, including Steller sea lions (Eumatopias jubatus) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii). Specified Activities AAC is proposing to launch small to medium space launch vehicles from the PSCA. PSCA may also launch a number of smaller missile systems, such as tactical or target vehicles. AAC anticipates the ability to accommodate nine launches per year. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Information Solicited Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and comments concerning AAC’s request (see ADDRESSES). Comments should be supported by data or literature citations as appropriate. We will consider all relevant information, suggestions, and comments related to the request during the development of proposed regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals by AAC, if appropriate. Dated: September 20, 2016. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–23257 Filed 9–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Sep 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No.: ED–2016–ICCD–0104] Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Measures and Methods for the National Reporting System for Adult Education Department of Education (ED), Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing an extension of an existing information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before November 28, 2016. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use https://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED– 2016–ICCD–0104. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room 2E–349, Washington, DC 20202–4537. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact John LeMaster, 202–245–6218. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66265 public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Measures and Methods for the National Reporting System for Adult Education. OMB Control Number: 1830–0027. Type of Review: An extension of an existing information collection. Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 57. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 5,700. Abstract: Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA—Pub. L. 113–128), entitled the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), was enacted on July 22, 2014. AEFLA creates a partnership among the Federal government, States, and localities to provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy services. Section 116 of WIOA requires States and Local Areas that operate the six core programs of the workforce development system to comply with common performance accountability requirements for those programs. In addition to the WIOA Joint Performance ICR, ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) has modified its previously-approved ICR, used by States for performance reporting under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) through the National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS ICR), to conform to the new requirements under WIOA. The NRS ICR obtains aggregate data annually from States using a set of data tables developed by ED (OMB Control No. 1830–0027). Through this proposal, the Department is submitting a revised NRS ICR to include additional data collection elements consistent with the WIOA performance accountability requirements for the AEFLA program. These new requirements will become effective July 1, 2017. Thus, for purposes of the AEFLA program, States will be required to complete and submit annually to OCTAE the WIOA Annual Statewide Performance Report Template E:\FR\FM\27SEN1.SGM 27SEN1

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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66264-66265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23257]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[0648-XE710]


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 
Incidental to Space Vehicle Launch Operations

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for letters of authorization; 
request for comments and information.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Aerospace 
Corporation (AAC) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental 
to conducting space vehicle launch operations over the course of five 
years, from February 1, 2017 through January 31, 2022. Pursuant to 
regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS 
is announcing receipt of the AAC's request for the development and 
implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine 
mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the 
AAC's application and request.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than October 
27, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie 
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225 and electronic comments should be sent 
ITP.Egger@noaa.gov.
    Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period. Comments sent via email, including all 
attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments to 
electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted to https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/research.htm without change. All personal identifying 
information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential 
business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Egger, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability

    An electronic copy of the AAC's application may be obtained online 
at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/research.htm. In case of 
problems accessing the document, please call the contact listed above.

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs 
the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but 
not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. 
citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial 
fishing), if certain findings are made and regulations are issued.
    Incidental taking shall be allowed if NMFS finds that the taking 
will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) affected and 
will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the 
species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses, and if the 
permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the 
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth. NMFS 
has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR

[[Page 66265]]

216.103 as ``. . . an impact resulting from the specified activity that 
cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, 
adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates 
of recruitment or survival.''
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the 
potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild 
by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering (Level B harassment).

Summary of Request

    On September 14, 2016, NMFS received an adequate and complete 
application from the AAC requesting authorization for the take of 
marine mammals incidental to space vehicle and missile launch 
activities from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) for a 
period of five years. Space vehicle and missile launch activities have 
the potential to result in take of pinnipeds on nearby haul outs. 
Therefore, AAC requests authorization to take marine mammals that may 
occur in these areas, including Steller sea lions (Eumatopias jubatus) 
and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii).

Specified Activities

    AAC is proposing to launch small to medium space launch vehicles 
from the PSCA. PSCA may also launch a number of smaller missile 
systems, such as tactical or target vehicles. AAC anticipates the 
ability to accommodate nine launches per year.

Information Solicited

    Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and 
comments concerning AAC's request (see ADDRESSES). Comments should be 
supported by data or literature citations as appropriate. We will 
consider all relevant information, suggestions, and comments related to 
the request during the development of proposed regulations governing 
the incidental taking of marine mammals by AAC, if appropriate.

    Dated: September 20, 2016.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-23257 Filed 9-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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