Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 27518-27519 [2018-12702]

Download as PDF amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES 27518 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 13, 2018 / Rules and Regulations delaying its effectiveness by at least several months, would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The good cause exception to the notice and comment procedures of the Administrative Procedures Act ‘‘excuses notice and comment in emergency situations, or where delay could result in serious harm.’’ 20. Given the emergency situation and the devastation to communications networks caused by the hurricanes, the sooner providers receive additional funds, the sooner service can be restored to the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As noted above, Hurricane Maria was a once-in-acentury storm that caused devastating damage. Even after months of recovery efforts, ‘‘the majority of citizens in Puerto Rico lack access to continuous and reliable telecommunications services.’’ Similarly, ‘‘only a small percentage of Viya’s wireline customers have had their voice, broadband, and cable service restored, and there are still significant gaps in Viya’s USVI wireless coverage.’’ Voice and broadbandcapable networks, of course, serve important public safety goals (including allowing the public to quickly notify first responders of emergencies). And the next hurricane season commences on June 1, 2018. Delaying these funds could result in serious harm if carriers are not able to restore and fortify their service before the start of the next hurricane season. Such efforts will take significant time, and the Commission wishes to help the carriers proceed as rapidly as possible. 21. The Commission is also concerned that some carriers might choose cheaper restoration plans that leave equipment vulnerable to another hurricane over more costly restoration plans that better protect against future natural disasters. Further, unlike other affected areas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have struggled to restore electrical power. One provider explains that ‘‘[t]he principal cause of communications outages and network unreliability in Puerto Rico undoubtedly has been the continued lack of commercial power and long-term reliance on backup generators.’’ Based on these unique circumstances, the Commission finds that the need for rapid action provides good cause for forgoing the usual administrative procedures in this unique situation. 22. The Commission further finds good cause to make this relief effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. ‘‘In determining whether good cause exists, an agency should ‘balance the necessity for immediate implementation against VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:53 Jun 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 principles of fundamental fairness which require that all affected persons be afforded a reasonable amount of time to prepare for the effective date of its ruling.’ ’’ This interim relief imposes no regulatory burden on any carrier but merely offers funds to help their restoration efforts. The Commission therefore does not believe it would violate fundamental fairness to make the action effective immediately, particularly given the substantial need for immediate implementation of the relief, which only exists during calendar year 2018. Indeed, waiting 30 days to make this relief available ‘‘would undermine the public interest by delaying’’ restoration of service in hurricane-ravaged areas. 23. Finally, given the urgent need to bring service back to pre-hurricane levels as soon as possible, the Commission finds good cause to extend its previous waiver of § 54.313(c)(4) of the Commission’s rules, which requires carriers receiving frozen support to certify that all support is used ‘‘to build and operate broadband-capable networks used to offer the provider’s own retail broadband service in areas substantially unserved by an unsubsidized competitor.’’ IV. Procedural Matters 24. This document does not contain new information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104–13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new or information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4). B. Congressional Review Act 25. The Commission will send a copy of this Order to Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). 26. Final Regulatory Flexibility Certification. Because the Order relies upon the good cause exception to notice and comment procedures, no final regulatory flexibility analysis is required under 5 U.S.C. 604. V. Ordering Clauses 27. Accordingly, it is ordered, pursuant to the authority contained in sections 4(i), 214, 254, 303(r), and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 214, 254, 303(r), and 403, and §§ 1.1, 1.3, and Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Federal Communications Commission. Marlene Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–12488 Filed 6–12–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170816769–8162–02] RIN 0648–XG285 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: A. Paperwork Reduction Act PO 00000 1.412 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.1, 1.3, and 1.412, that this Order is adopted. The Order is effective upon publication in the Federal Register. 28. It is further ordered that, pursuant to § 1.3 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 1.3, that § 54.313(c)(4) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR 54.313(c)(4), is waived to the extent described in this document. NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 10, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13JNR1.SGM 13JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 114 / Wednesday, June 13, 2018 / Rules and Regulations amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. The 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 61 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is necessary to account for the incidental catch in other anticipated fisheries. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 61 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:53 Jun 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the directed fishing closure of PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 27519 Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of June 7, 2018. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 8, 2018. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–12702 Filed 6–8–18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\13JNR1.SGM 13JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 13, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27518-27519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12702]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XG285


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 
Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to vessels using jig gear 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 10, 2018, 
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing 
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H 
of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Regulations governing sideboard 
protections for GOA groundfish

[[Page 27519]]

fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680.
    The 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to 
vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 61 
metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2018 
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is necessary to account for the incidental 
catch in other anticipated fisheries. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 0 mt and 
is setting aside the remaining 61 mt as bycatch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed 
fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. While this closure is effective the 
maximum retainable amounts at Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time 
during a trip.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by vessels 
using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was 
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because 
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of June 7, 
2018.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: June 8, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12702 Filed 6-8-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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