Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery; Scoping Process; Correction, 28839-28840 [2018-13277]

Download as PDF amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Notices the planned mitigation and monitoring measures are expected to reduce the likelihood of injury and behavior exposures. Additionally, no important feeding and/or reproductive areas for marine mammals are known to be within the ensonified area during the construction time frame. The project also is not expected to have significant adverse effects on affected marine mammals’ habitat. The project activities will not modify existing marine mammal habitat for a significant amount of time. The activities may cause some fish to leave the area of disturbance, thus temporarily impacting marine mammals’ foraging opportunities in a limited portion of the foraging range; but, because of the short duration of the activities and the relatively small area of the habitat that may be affected, the impacts to marine mammal habitat are not expected to cause significant or long-term negative consequences. Effects on individuals that are taken by Level B harassment, on the basis of reports in the literature as well as monitoring from other similar activities, will likely be limited to reactions such as increased swimming speeds, increased surfacing time, or decreased foraging (if such activity were occurring) (e.g., Thorson and Reyff 2006; Lerma 2014). Most likely, individuals will simply move away from the sound source and be temporarily displaced from the areas of pile driving, although even this reaction has been observed primarily only in association with impact pile driving. Thus, even repeated Level B harassment of some small subset of the overall stock is unlikely to result in any significant realized decrease in fitness for the affected individuals, and thus will not result in any adverse impact to the stock as a whole. In summary and as described above, the following factors primarily support our determination that the impacts resulting from this activity are not expected to adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival: • No mortality is anticipated or authorized • Injurious takes are not expected due to the presumed efficacy of the planned mitigation measures in reducing the effects of the specified activity to the level of least practicable impact; • Level B harassment may consist of, at worst, temporary modifications in behavior (e.g., temporary avoidance of habitat or changes in behavior); • The lack of important feeding, pupping, or other areas in the action area; VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Jun 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 • The high level of ambient noise already in the ferry terminal area; and • The small percentage of the stock that may be affected by project activities (less than seven percent for all species). Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into consideration the implementation of the monitoring and mitigation measures, NMFS finds that the total marine mammal take from the activity will have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal species or stocks. Small Numbers As noted above, only small numbers of incidental take may be authorized under Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA for specified activities other than military readiness activities. The MMPA does not define small numbers and so, in practice, where estimated numbers are available, NMFS compares the number of individuals taken to the most appropriate estimation of abundance of the relevant species or stock in our determination of whether an authorization is limited to small numbers of marine mammals. Additionally, other qualitative factors may be considered in the analysis, such as the temporal or spatial scale of the activities. Table 11 details the number of instances that animals could be exposed to received noise levels that could cause Level A and Level B harassment for the planned work at the ferry terminal project site relative to the total stock abundance. The instances of take authorized to be taken for all stocks are considered small relative to the relevant stocks or populations even if each estimated instance of take occurred to a new individual—an unlikely scenario. The total percent of the population (if each instance was a separate individual) for which take is requested is approximately seven percent for bottlenose dolphins, two percent for harbor seals, and less than one percent for all other species (Table 13). For pinnipeds occurring in the vicinity of the ferry terminal, there will almost certainly be some overlap in individuals present day-to-day, and the number of individuals taken is expected to be notably lower. Similarly, the number of bottlenose dolphins that could be subject to Level B harassment is expected to be a single pod of five individuals exposed up to six times over the course of the project. Based on the analysis contained herein of the activity (including the mitigation and monitoring measures) and the anticipated take of marine PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28839 mammals, NMFS finds that small numbers of marine mammals will be taken relative to the population size of the affected species or stocks. Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis and Determination There are no relevant subsistence uses of the affected marine mammal stocks or species implicated by this action. Therefore, NMFS has determined that the total taking of affected species or stocks would not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of such species or stocks for taking for subsistence purposes. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal agency insure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. No incidental take of ESA-listed species is authorized or expected to result from this activity. Therefore, NMFS has determined that formal consultation under section 7 of the ESA is not required for this action. Authorization NMFS has issued an IHA to WETA for the potential harassment of small numbers of seven marine mammal species incidental to the Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal Expansion Project, South Basin Improvements Project, including the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures. Dated: June 15, 2018. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–13281 Filed 6–20–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG242 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery; Scoping Process; Correction National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement; notice AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\21JNN1.SGM 21JNN1 28840 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Notices of initiation of scoping process; notice of public scoping meetings; requests for comments; correction. SUMMARY: This action corrects the DATES, ADDRESSES, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION sections of a notice published on June 6, 2018, which contained some incorrect information that could leave the public misinformed. This notice extends the end date of the comment period, changes the location of a scoping hearing, and adds a sentence to clarify which scoping hearings will be joint Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission hearings. DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments on the notice of intent published on June 6, 2018 (83 FR 26267), is extended to July 30, 2018. Written comments must be received on or before 11:59 p.m., EDT, on July 30, 2018. Twelve public scoping meetings will be held during this comment period. Written comments on the referenced notice may be sent by any of the following methods: • Email to the following address: nmfs.garBluefishAmend@noaa.gov. Include ‘‘Bluefish Allocation Amendment Scoping Comments’’ in the subject line; • Mail or hand deliver to Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director; Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19901. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Bluefish Allocation Amendment Scoping Comments’’; or • Fax to (302) 674–5399. The scoping document may be obtained from the Council office at the previously provided address, by request to the Council by telephone (302) 674– 2331, or via the internet at https:// www.mafmc.org. Comments may also be provided verbally at any of the 12 public scoping meetings. Hearings will be held June 20–July 16 in nine coastal states from Massachusetts to Florida. The last four hearings will be joint hearings of the Council and Commission. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of the original notice (83 FR 26267), and the corrections made below, for dates, times, and locations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: 302–674–2331. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Jun 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 Background ACTION: On June 6, 2018, NMFS published a notice of intent (NOI) and scoping announcement (83 FR 26267) to provide background information and to request public comment on potential adjustments to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) through an allocation amendment. The NOI provides the public with a formal opportunity to comment on the specific ideas mentioned in the scoping document, as well as any additional ideas and solutions that could improve Bluefish FMP. Need for Correction In the original notice, the established comment period ended on July 6, 2018, before the last four scoping hearings were scheduled to take place, and without adequate time to receive public comment following the hearings. This correction extends the comment period to July 30, 2018, to appropriately encompass all of the scoping hearings, and to provide the Commission more time to accept final comments. In addition to the extension of the comment period, the location of the scoping hearing in Dover, Delaware, needed to be changed due to building availability. The date and time of this meeting (Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.) will remain the same. Correction In FR Doc. 2018–12105, in the Federal Register of Wednesday, June 6, 2018, on page 26268, in the second column of the table, in the fifth line, the address for the Delaware scoping hearing is corrected to read as follows: ‘‘Dover Public Library, 35 E. Loockerman St, Dover, Delaware 19901.’’ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 15, 2018. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–13277 Filed 6–20–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [Docket ID DOD–2017–HA–0065] Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, DoD. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30-Day information collection notice. The Department of Defense has submitted to OMB for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by July 23, 2018. ADDRESSES: Comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection should be emailed to Ms. Cortney Higgins, DoD Desk Officer, at oira_submission@ omb.eop.gov. Please identify the proposed information collection by DoD Desk Officer, Docket ID number, and title of the information collection. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Licari, 571–372–0493, or whs.mcalex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-informationcollections@mail.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: TRICARE Select Enrollment, Disenrollment, and Change Form; DD Form 3043; OMB Control Number 0720– 0061. Type of Request: Extension. Number of Respondents: 99,300. Responses per Respondent: 1. Annual Responses: 99,300. Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes. Annual Burden Hours: 24,825. Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary to obtain each non-active duty TRICARE beneficiary’s personal information needed to: (1) Complete his/her enrollment into the TRICARE Select health plan option, (2) dis-enroll a beneficiary, or (3) change a beneficiary’s enrollment information (e.g., address, add a dependent, report other health insurance). This information is required to ensure the beneficiary’s TRICARE benefits and claims are administered based on their TRICARE plan of choice. Without this new enrollment form, each non-active duty TRICARE beneficiary is automatically defaulted into direct care, limiting their health care options to military hospitals and clinics. These beneficiaries would have no TRICARE coverage when using the TRICARE network of providers for services not available at their local military hospital or clinic. Affected Public: Individuals or Households. Frequency: On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Cortney Higgins. You may also submit comments and recommendations, identified by Docket SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21JNN1.SGM 21JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28839-28840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13277]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG242


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Bluefish Fishery; 
Scoping Process; Correction

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement; 
notice

[[Page 28840]]

of initiation of scoping process; notice of public scoping meetings; 
requests for comments; correction.

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SUMMARY: This action corrects the DATES, ADDRESSES, and SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION sections of a notice published on June 6, 2018, which 
contained some incorrect information that could leave the public 
misinformed. This notice extends the end date of the comment period, 
changes the location of a scoping hearing, and adds a sentence to 
clarify which scoping hearings will be joint Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 
hearings.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments on the notice of intent 
published on June 6, 2018 (83 FR 26267), is extended to July 30, 2018. 
Written comments must be received on or before 11:59 p.m., EDT, on July 
30, 2018. Twelve public scoping meetings will be held during this 
comment period.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the referenced notice may be sent by any 
of the following methods:
     Email to the following address: 
[email protected]. Include ``Bluefish Allocation Amendment 
Scoping Comments'' in the subject line;
     Mail or hand deliver to Dr. Christopher M. Moore, 
Executive Director; Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North 
State Street, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19901. Mark the outside of the 
envelope ``Bluefish Allocation Amendment Scoping Comments''; or
     Fax to (302) 674-5399.
    The scoping document may be obtained from the Council office at the 
previously provided address, by request to the Council by telephone 
(302) 674-2331, or via the internet at https://www.mafmc.org.
    Comments may also be provided verbally at any of the 12 public 
scoping meetings. Hearings will be held June 20-July 16 in nine coastal 
states from Massachusetts to Florida. The last four hearings will be 
joint hearings of the Council and Commission. See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION of the original notice (83 FR 26267), and the corrections 
made below, for dates, times, and locations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, 
DE 19901; telephone: 302-674-2331.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On June 6, 2018, NMFS published a notice of intent (NOI) and 
scoping announcement (83 FR 26267) to provide background information 
and to request public comment on potential adjustments to the Bluefish 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) through an allocation amendment. The NOI 
provides the public with a formal opportunity to comment on the 
specific ideas mentioned in the scoping document, as well as any 
additional ideas and solutions that could improve Bluefish FMP.

Need for Correction

    In the original notice, the established comment period ended on 
July 6, 2018, before the last four scoping hearings were scheduled to 
take place, and without adequate time to receive public comment 
following the hearings. This correction extends the comment period to 
July 30, 2018, to appropriately encompass all of the scoping hearings, 
and to provide the Commission more time to accept final comments. In 
addition to the extension of the comment period, the location of the 
scoping hearing in Dover, Delaware, needed to be changed due to 
building availability. The date and time of this meeting (Thursday, 
June 21, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.) will remain the same.

Correction

    In FR Doc. 2018-12105, in the Federal Register of Wednesday, June 
6, 2018, on page 26268, in the second column of the table, in the fifth 
line, the address for the Delaware scoping hearing is corrected to read 
as follows:

``Dover Public Library, 35 E. Loockerman St, Dover, Delaware 19901.''

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

    Dated: June 15, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-13277 Filed 6-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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