Public Input Requested on Potential Impacts to Historic Priorities: Sand Resource Assessment and Borrow Area Identification, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, 34868-34870 [2018-15669]
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34868
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Notices
Native Village of Wales
Native Village of White Mountain
Nenana Native Association
New Koliganek Village Council
New Stuyahok Village
Newhalen Village
Newtok Village
Nikolai Village
Ninilchik Village
Nome Eskimo Community
Nondalton Village
Noorvik Native Community
Northway Village
Nulato Village
Nunakauyarmiut Tribe
Organized Village of Grayling (aka
Holikachuk)
Organized Village of Kake
Organized Village of Kasaan
Organized Village of Kwethluk
Organized Village of Saxman
Orutsararmiut Traditional Native
Council (previously listed as
Orutsararmuit Native Village (aka
Bethel))
Oscarville Traditional Village
Pauloff Harbor Village
Pedro Bay Village
Petersburg Indian Association
Pilot Station Traditional Village
Platinum Traditional Village
Portage Creek Village (aka Ohgsenakale)
Pribilof Islands Aleut Communities of
St. Paul & St. George Islands
Qagan Tayagungin Tribe of Sand Point
Village
Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska
Rampart Village
Saint George Island (See Pribilof Islands
Aleut Communities of St. Paul & St.
George Islands)
Saint Paul Island (See Pribilof Islands
Aleut Communities of St. Paul & St.
George Islands)
Seldovia Village Tribe
Shageluk Native Village
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
Skagway Village
South Naknek Village
Stebbins Community Association
Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak (previously
listed as the Shoonaq’ Tribe of
Kodiak)
Takotna Village
Tangirnaq Native Village (formerly
Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island))
Telida Village
Traditional Village of Togiak
Tuluksak Native Community
Twin Hills Village
Ugashik Village
Umkumiut Native Village (previously
listed as Umkumiute Native Village)
Village of Alakanuk
Village of Anaktuvuk Pass
Village of Aniak
Village of Atmautluak
Village of Bill Moore’s Slough
Village of Chefornak
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Village of Clarks Point
Village of Crooked Creek
Village of Dot Lake
Village of Iliamna
Village of Kalskag
Village of Kaltag
Village of Kotlik
Village of Lower Kalskag
Village of Ohogamiut
Village of Red Devil
Village of Salamatoff
Village of Sleetmute
Village of Solomon
Village of Stony River
Village of Venetie (See Native Village of
Venetie Tribal Government)
Village of Wainwright
Wrangell Cooperative Association
Yakutat Tlingit Tribe
Yupiit of Andreafski
[FR Doc. 2018–15679 Filed 7–20–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM–2018–0034]
Public Input Requested on Potential
Impacts to Historic Priorities: Sand
Resource Assessment and Borrow
Area Identification, Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico Outer Continental Shelf
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Request for public input.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM) invites public
input on the identification of historic
properties or potential impacts to
historic properties from a
comprehensive research program of
sand resource and borrow area
identification on the Atlantic and Gulf
of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS). Sand resources are identified
using geophysical and geological (G&G)
surveys, which constitute undertakings
subject to Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
DATES: BOEM must receive your
comments by August 13, 2018 for your
comments to be considered. BOEM
requests comments to be postmarked or
delivered by this same date. BOEM will
consider only those comments received
that conform to this requirement.
ADDRESSES: Comments and other
submissions of information may be
submitted by either of the following two
methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. In the entry
entitled, ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter
BOEM–2018–0034, and then click
‘‘search.’’ Follow the instructions to
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
submit public comments and view
supporting and related materials
available for this notice.
2. Written comments may be
delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed
in an envelope labeled, ‘‘Sand
Resources Assessment Section 106,’’ to
Deputy Preservation Officer, Office of
Environmental Programs, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brandi Carrier, BOEM, Office of
Environmental Programs, 45600
Woodland Road (VAM–OREP), Sterling,
Virginia 20166, (703) 787–1623 or
brandi.carrier@boem.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This request for public
input concerns an action BOEM is
taking pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 1346.
1
Background
BOEM’s Marine Minerals Program
partners with communities to address
serious erosion along coastal beaches,
dunes, barrier islands, and wetlands.
Erosion affects natural resources,
energy, defense, public infrastructure,
and tourism. To help address this
problem, BOEM provides sand, gravel,
and/or shell resources from the Federal
OCS for shore protection, beach
nourishment, and wetlands restoration
with vigorous safety and environmental
oversight, as authorized by the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
BOEM is proposing a comprehensive
research program for sand resource and
borrow area identification to properly
identify and manage OCS sand
resources, and to enable both long-term
and emergency planning goals. The
study will use state-of-the-art
technology and methods to collect and
analyze data, and will incorporate a
rigorous mitigation strategy to minimize
environmental effects. The field work
will use G&G surveys to: (1) Identify
potential OCS sand resources at a
reconnaissance-scale; (2) delineate
geographically focused areas as
potential borrow areas at a design-level;
(3) monitor specific borrow areas and
investigate for the presence of objects of
archaeological significance, munitions
of explosive concern, and hard bottom
or other sensitive benthic habitat in the
vicinity of potential borrow areas; and
(4) collect scientific data on changes in
sand resources. The study could occur
anywhere on the Atlantic or Gulf of
Mexico OCS between the Submerged
Lands Act Boundary to the 50 meter
bathymetric contour; activities under
cooperative agreements (authorized by
43 U.S.C. 1345(e)) with Atlantic and
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Notices
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Gulf states may cross the state/Federal
boundary. Additional information is
available at https://www.boem.gov/
Building-a-National-Offshore-SandInventory/.
2 Description of the Proposed
Undertaking
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108),
and the act’s implementing regulations
(36 CFR part 800), require Federal
agencies to consider the effects of their
undertakings on historic properties and
afford the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation a reasonable opportunity to
comment. As part of this review, BOEM
will consult with state historic
preservation officers, tribal officials, and
others. BOEM is now reaching out to the
general public for comment regarding
the potential presence of historic
properties or potential effects on
historic properties from the surveys and
other activities used in the study. This
information will allow BOEM to
consider and document historic
preservation concerns early, and allow
the agency to consider the views of the
public in the decision making process.
This study will involve two different
types of sand surveys, each with a
different potential to affect historic
properties:
(1) Geophysical surveys are
conducted to obtain information about
shallow sediment stratigraphy, shallow
hazards (such as presence of munitions
of explosive concern or buried cables),
archaeological resources, and sensitive
benthic habitats. Typical equipment
used in these surveys includes subbottom profilers, swath bathymetric
sonars, side-scan sonars, and
magnetometers. Geophysical surveys do
not have the potential to affect historic
properties.
(2) Geological surveys involve
seafloor-disturbing activities, such as
sample collection through use of grab
samples or a platform-mounted
vibracore, which are conducted to
evaluate the quality of mineral resources
for their intended use as sand resources.
Vibracores are shallow in nature,
focusing on characterizing the sand
layer, and penetrate to a depth of no
more than 20 ft (6 m) or the extent of
the sand layer. The seafloor-disturbing
portions of the geological surveys may
have the potential to affect historic
properties on the OCS, so BOEM is
requesting public input on the existence
and location of historic properties on
the OCS and on the potential effects
geologic surveys could have on any
such historic properties.
Once beach quality sand resource
areas have been identified, these sand
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34869
resources could be available to local,
state, and Federal agencies for beach
nourishment, and coastal restoration to
provide protection of infrastructure,
create coastal habitat, and reduce
damage caused by storms, currents, and
waves. Those potential future actions
would undergo a separate Section 106
consultation process if they are
determined to be undertakings under 36
CFR part 800, with additional
opportunities for public comment.
4 Requested Information From the
Public
BOEM requests specific and detailed
comments from the public and other
interested or affected parties on the
identification of historic properties or
potential effects to historic properties
from the proposed G&G survey
activities. This information will inform
BOEM’s review of this and future
undertakings under Section 106 of the
NHPA.
3
5 Protection of Sensitive, Privileged,
or Confidential Information
Description of the Study Area
The potential Study Area lies within
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico OCS,
from the Submerged Lands Act
boundary to 50 m (164 ft) deep. Sand
survey activities will not occur across
the entire Study Area simultaneously,
but will be of limited spatial extent at
any one time. The Study Area includes
adjacent transit corridors used for
mobilization, and demobilization, and
access to support bases. Sensitive and
protected areas, such as within Cape
Cod Bay, Stellwagen Bank National
Marine Sanctuary, and Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary are
specifically excluded.
Prior to commencing sand survey
activities, BOEM will coordinate with
coastal states, Federal stakeholders, and
relevant regional planning bodies to
determine areas with the greatest
potential need for OCS sand resources
and the greatest data gaps, in order to
identify priority survey sites. A detailed
survey and sampling plan will be
developed prior to undertaking any
sand survey activities; this plan will
define the geographic scope and relative
timing of the proposed activities.
Similar resource area identification
and delineation activities could occur
on state submerged lands, but these
undertakings would be separately
analyzed in project-specific
environmental reviews, under the
direction of the appropriate lead entity.
BOEM may enter into cooperative
agreements with Atlantic and Gulf states
to assist in the inventory of offshore
sand resources, which may cross the
state/Federal boundaries. BOEM’s
authorization of an agreement to use
sand resources in a given borrow area,
including for beach nourishment and
wetlands reconstruction, would be
considered a separate action. Any such
proposed undertakings, if received by
BOEM, would be considered
individually and would subject to a
separate environmental review and
Section 106 consultation process.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
5.1 Freedom of Information Act
BOEM will protect sensitive,
privileged, or confidential information
that you submit when required by the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
5.2 Section 304 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C.
307103)
Exemption 3 of FOIA applies to
information specifically exempted from
disclosure by a statute other than FOIA,
but only if the other statute’s disclosure
prohibition is absolute. Section 304 of
the National Historic Preservation Act at
54 U.S.C. 307103 requires the head of a
Federal agency, after consultation with
the Secretary, to withhold from
disclosure to the public information
about the location, character, or
ownership of a historic property if the
Secretary and the agency determine that
disclosure may—(1) cause a significant
invasion of privacy; (2) risk harm to the
historic property; or (3) impede the use
of a traditional religious site by
practitioners. If you wish BOEM to
withhold such information from
disclosure, clearly mark it and request
that BOEM treat it as confidential.
BOEM will not disclose such
information if it qualifies for exemption
from disclosure under FOIA. Please
label privileged or confidential
information ‘‘Contains Confidential
Information.’’ In particular, tribal
entities should designate information
that falls under Section 304 of NHPA as
confidential.
5.3 Personal Identifying Information
BOEM does not consider anonymous
comments; please include your name
and address as part of your submittal.
You should be aware that your entire
comment, including your name,
address, and your personal identifying
information, may be made publicly
available at any time. In order for BOEM
to withhold your personal identifying
information from disclosure, you must
identify any information contained in
the submittal of your comments that, if
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34870
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2018 / Notices
released, would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of your personal
privacy. You must also briefly describe
any possible harmful consequence(s) of
the disclosure of information, such as
embarrassment, injury or other harm.
Dated: July 17, 2018.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
[FR Doc. 2018–15669 Filed 7–20–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337–TA–1047]
Certain Semiconductor Devices and
Consumer Audiovisual Products
Containing the Same; Commission
Determination To Review in Part a
Final Initial Determination Finding No
Violation of Section 337; Schedule for
Briefing; Extension of Target Date
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined to review
in part a final initial determination
(‘‘ID’’) issued by the presiding
administrative law judge (‘‘ALJ’’),
finding no violation of section 337 of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. The
Commission has also set a schedule for
briefing. Additionally, Commission has
determined to extend the target date for
the completion of the investigation to
September 19, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Needham, Office of the General
Counsel, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW,
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
708–5468. Copies of non-confidential
documents filed in connection with this
investigation are or will be available for
inspection during official business
hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
Office of the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436,
telephone (202) 205–2000. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
internet server (https://www.usitc.gov).
The public record for this investigation
may be viewed on the Commission’s
electronic docket (EDIS) at https://
edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired
persons are advised that information on
this matter can be obtained by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal on (202) 205–1810.
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:59 Jul 20, 2018
Jkt 244001
The
Commission instituted this investigation
on April 12, 2017, based on a complaint
filed by Broadcom Corporation
(‘‘Broadcom’’) of Irvine, California. 82
FR 17688. The complaint alleges
violations of section 337 of the Tariff
Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337
(‘‘section 337’’), in the importation into
the United States, the sale for
importation, and the sale within the
United States after importation of
certain semiconductor devices and
consumer audiovisual products
containing the same that infringe U.S.
Patent Nos. 7,310,104; 7,342,967;
7,590,059; 8,068,171; and 8,284,844. Id.
The Commission’s notice of
investigation named as respondents
MediaTek Inc. of Hsinchu City, Taiwan,
MediaTek USA Inc. of San Jose,
California, and MStar Semiconductor
Inc. of ChuPei Hsinchu Hsien, Taiwan
(together, ‘‘MediaTek’’); Sigma Designs,
Inc. of Fremont, California (‘‘Sigma’’);
LG Electronics Inc. of Seoul, Republic of
Korea and LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. of
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (together,
‘‘LG’’); Funai Electric Company, Ltd., of
Osaka, Japan, Funai Corporation, Inc. of
Rutherford, New Jersey, and P&F USA,
Inc. of Alpharetta, Georgia (together,
‘‘Funai’’); and Vizio, Inc., of Irvine,
California (‘‘Vizio’’). Id. The Office of
Unfair Import Investigations is not
participating in this investigation. Id.
Several parties were terminated from
the investigation based on settlement.
Specifically, the Commission
terminated the investigation with
respect to Funai, Order No. 31 (Nov. 7,
2017), not reviewed Notice (Dec. 12,
2017); MediaTek, Order No. 35 (Nov. 29,
2017), not reviewed Notice (Dec. 19,
2017); and LG, Order No. 42 (Apr. 9,
2018), not reviewed Notice (May 4,
2018). Accordingly, only respondents
Sigma and Vizio (together,
‘‘Respondents’’) remained in the
investigation at the time of the final ID.
The Commission also terminated two
patents and several claims based on
Broadcom’s partial withdrawal of the
complaint. Specifically, the Commission
terminated the investigation with
respect to the ’967 patent, the ’171
patent, claims 21–30 of the ’059 patent,
and claim 14 of the ’844 patent. Order
No. 24 (Oct. 10, 2017), not reviewed
Notice (Oct. 24, 2017). Broadcom also
elected to withdraw claims 5 and 11–13
of the ’844 patent in its post-hearing
brief. ID at 7. Accordingly, at the time
of the final ID, the only remaining
claims were 1, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 22 of
the ’104 patent; claims 1–4, 6–10, of the
’844 patent; and claims 11–20 of the
’059 patent.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Sfmt 4703
On May 11, 2018, the ALJ issued a
final ID finding no violation of section
337. Specifically, he found that
Respondents did not infringe any claim,
that the asserted claims of the ’844
patent are invalid, and that Broadcom
did not satisfy the technical prong of the
domestic industry requirement for the
’104 patent.
On May 29, 2018, Broadcom and
Respondents each petitioned for review
of the ID. On June 6, 2018, the parties
opposed each other’s petitions.
Having examined the record of this
investigation, including the ALJ’s final
ID, the petitions for review, and the
responses thereto, the Commission has
determined to review the final ID in
part. Specifically, the Commission has
determined to review the following
issues: (1) The construction of ‘‘a
processor adapted to control a decoding
process’’ in claim 1 of the ’844 patent,
as well as related issues of infringement,
invalidity, and the technical prong of
the domestic industry requirement with
respect to the limitation; (2) the finding
that Fandrianto satisfies the limitation
‘‘adapted to perform a decoding
function on a digital media stream’’ of
claim 1 of the ’844 patent; (3) the
construction of ‘‘the blended graphics
image’’ in claim 1 of the ’104 patent, as
well as related issues of infringement,
invalidity, and the technical prong of
the domestic industry requirement with
respect to the limitation; (4) the
construction of ‘‘blend the blended
graphics image with the video image
using the alpha values and/or at least
one value derived from the alpha
values’’ in claim 1 of the ’104 patent, as
well as related issues of infringement,
invalidity, and the technical prong of
the domestic industry requirement with
respect to the limitation; and (5) the
finding that claims 1 and 10 of the ’104
patent would be rendered obvious by
Gloudemans in view of Porter & Duff
under Broadcom’s proposed claim
constructions.
The parties are requested to brief their
positions on the issues under view with
reference to applicable law and the
evidentiary record. In connection with
its review, the Commission is interested
in briefing on the following issues:
1. Should the construction of the term ‘‘a
processor adapted to control a decoding
process’’ of the ’844 patent include the
concept of ‘‘orchestrate,’’ and what is the
difference between ‘‘control’’ and
‘‘orchestrate’’ in the context of this patent?
2. Should the construction of the term ‘‘a
processor adapted to control a decoding
process’’ of the ’844 patent include the
concept of a ‘‘pipeline’’ or ‘‘stage’’?
3. In construing the term ‘‘blend the
blended graphics image with the video image
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34868-34870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15669]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2018-0034]
Public Input Requested on Potential Impacts to Historic
Priorities: Sand Resource Assessment and Borrow Area Identification,
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.
ACTION: Request for public input.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) invites public
input on the identification of historic properties or potential impacts
to historic properties from a comprehensive research program of sand
resource and borrow area identification on the Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Sand resources are identified
using geophysical and geological (G&G) surveys, which constitute
undertakings subject to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act.
DATES: BOEM must receive your comments by August 13, 2018 for your
comments to be considered. BOEM requests comments to be postmarked or
delivered by this same date. BOEM will consider only those comments
received that conform to this requirement.
ADDRESSES: Comments and other submissions of information may be
submitted by either of the following two methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the
entry entitled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2018-0034, and then
click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and
view supporting and related materials available for this notice.
2. Written comments may be delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed
in an envelope labeled, ``Sand Resources Assessment Section 106,'' to
Deputy Preservation Officer, Office of Environmental Programs, Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandi Carrier, BOEM, Office of
Environmental Programs, 45600 Woodland Road (VAM-OREP), Sterling,
Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1623 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: This request for public input concerns an action BOEM is
taking pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 1346.
1 Background
BOEM's Marine Minerals Program partners with communities to address
serious erosion along coastal beaches, dunes, barrier islands, and
wetlands. Erosion affects natural resources, energy, defense, public
infrastructure, and tourism. To help address this problem, BOEM
provides sand, gravel, and/or shell resources from the Federal OCS for
shore protection, beach nourishment, and wetlands restoration with
vigorous safety and environmental oversight, as authorized by the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
BOEM is proposing a comprehensive research program for sand
resource and borrow area identification to properly identify and manage
OCS sand resources, and to enable both long-term and emergency planning
goals. The study will use state-of-the-art technology and methods to
collect and analyze data, and will incorporate a rigorous mitigation
strategy to minimize environmental effects. The field work will use G&G
surveys to: (1) Identify potential OCS sand resources at a
reconnaissance-scale; (2) delineate geographically focused areas as
potential borrow areas at a design-level; (3) monitor specific borrow
areas and investigate for the presence of objects of archaeological
significance, munitions of explosive concern, and hard bottom or other
sensitive benthic habitat in the vicinity of potential borrow areas;
and (4) collect scientific data on changes in sand resources. The study
could occur anywhere on the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico OCS between the
Submerged Lands Act Boundary to the 50 meter bathymetric contour;
activities under cooperative agreements (authorized by 43 U.S.C.
1345(e)) with Atlantic and
[[Page 34869]]
Gulf states may cross the state/Federal boundary. Additional
information is available at https://www.boem.gov/Building-a-National-Offshore-Sand-Inventory/.
2 Description of the Proposed Undertaking
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C.
306108), and the act's implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800),
require Federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings
on historic properties and afford the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment. As part of this
review, BOEM will consult with state historic preservation officers,
tribal officials, and others. BOEM is now reaching out to the general
public for comment regarding the potential presence of historic
properties or potential effects on historic properties from the surveys
and other activities used in the study. This information will allow
BOEM to consider and document historic preservation concerns early, and
allow the agency to consider the views of the public in the decision
making process.
This study will involve two different types of sand surveys, each
with a different potential to affect historic properties:
(1) Geophysical surveys are conducted to obtain information about
shallow sediment stratigraphy, shallow hazards (such as presence of
munitions of explosive concern or buried cables), archaeological
resources, and sensitive benthic habitats. Typical equipment used in
these surveys includes sub-bottom profilers, swath bathymetric sonars,
side-scan sonars, and magnetometers. Geophysical surveys do not have
the potential to affect historic properties.
(2) Geological surveys involve seafloor-disturbing activities, such
as sample collection through use of grab samples or a platform-mounted
vibracore, which are conducted to evaluate the quality of mineral
resources for their intended use as sand resources. Vibracores are
shallow in nature, focusing on characterizing the sand layer, and
penetrate to a depth of no more than 20 ft (6 m) or the extent of the
sand layer. The seafloor-disturbing portions of the geological surveys
may have the potential to affect historic properties on the OCS, so
BOEM is requesting public input on the existence and location of
historic properties on the OCS and on the potential effects geologic
surveys could have on any such historic properties.
Once beach quality sand resource areas have been identified, these
sand resources could be available to local, state, and Federal agencies
for beach nourishment, and coastal restoration to provide protection of
infrastructure, create coastal habitat, and reduce damage caused by
storms, currents, and waves. Those potential future actions would
undergo a separate Section 106 consultation process if they are
determined to be undertakings under 36 CFR part 800, with additional
opportunities for public comment.
3 Description of the Study Area
The potential Study Area lies within the Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico OCS, from the Submerged Lands Act boundary to 50 m (164 ft)
deep. Sand survey activities will not occur across the entire Study
Area simultaneously, but will be of limited spatial extent at any one
time. The Study Area includes adjacent transit corridors used for
mobilization, and demobilization, and access to support bases.
Sensitive and protected areas, such as within Cape Cod Bay, Stellwagen
Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary are specifically excluded.
Prior to commencing sand survey activities, BOEM will coordinate
with coastal states, Federal stakeholders, and relevant regional
planning bodies to determine areas with the greatest potential need for
OCS sand resources and the greatest data gaps, in order to identify
priority survey sites. A detailed survey and sampling plan will be
developed prior to undertaking any sand survey activities; this plan
will define the geographic scope and relative timing of the proposed
activities.
Similar resource area identification and delineation activities
could occur on state submerged lands, but these undertakings would be
separately analyzed in project-specific environmental reviews, under
the direction of the appropriate lead entity. BOEM may enter into
cooperative agreements with Atlantic and Gulf states to assist in the
inventory of offshore sand resources, which may cross the state/Federal
boundaries. BOEM's authorization of an agreement to use sand resources
in a given borrow area, including for beach nourishment and wetlands
reconstruction, would be considered a separate action. Any such
proposed undertakings, if received by BOEM, would be considered
individually and would subject to a separate environmental review and
Section 106 consultation process.
4 Requested Information From the Public
BOEM requests specific and detailed comments from the public and
other interested or affected parties on the identification of historic
properties or potential effects to historic properties from the
proposed G&G survey activities. This information will inform BOEM's
review of this and future undertakings under Section 106 of the NHPA.
5 Protection of Sensitive, Privileged, or Confidential Information
5.1 Freedom of Information Act
BOEM will protect sensitive, privileged, or confidential
information that you submit when required by the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA).
5.2 Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C.
307103)
Exemption 3 of FOIA applies to information specifically exempted
from disclosure by a statute other than FOIA, but only if the other
statute's disclosure prohibition is absolute. Section 304 of the
National Historic Preservation Act at 54 U.S.C. 307103 requires the
head of a Federal agency, after consultation with the Secretary, to
withhold from disclosure to the public information about the location,
character, or ownership of a historic property if the Secretary and the
agency determine that disclosure may--(1) cause a significant invasion
of privacy; (2) risk harm to the historic property; or (3) impede the
use of a traditional religious site by practitioners. If you wish BOEM
to withhold such information from disclosure, clearly mark it and
request that BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not disclose such
information if it qualifies for exemption from disclosure under FOIA.
Please label privileged or confidential information ``Contains
Confidential Information.'' In particular, tribal entities should
designate information that falls under Section 304 of NHPA as
confidential.
5.3 Personal Identifying Information
BOEM does not consider anonymous comments; please include your name
and address as part of your submittal. You should be aware that your
entire comment, including your name, address, and your personal
identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. In
order for BOEM to withhold your personal identifying information from
disclosure, you must identify any information contained in the
submittal of your comments that, if
[[Page 34870]]
released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your
personal privacy. You must also briefly describe any possible harmful
consequence(s) of the disclosure of information, such as embarrassment,
injury or other harm.
Dated: July 17, 2018.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2018-15669 Filed 7-20-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
