New York and New Jersey Harbor Anchorages General Reevaluation Study NEPA Scoping Meeting and Public Comment Period, 54919-54920 [2018-23879]

Download as PDF daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 212 / Thursday, November 1, 2018 / Notices The Shark Research Fishery Permit Application includes, but is not limited to, a request for the following information: Type of commercial shark permit possessed; past participation and availability in the commercial shark fishery (not including sharks caught for display); past involvement and compliance with HMS observer programs per 50 CFR 635.7; past compliance with HMS regulations at 50 CFR part 635; past and present availability to participate in the shark research fishery year-round; ability to fish in the regions and season requested; ability to attend necessary meetings regarding the objectives and research protocols of the shark research fishery; and ability to carry out the research objectives of the Agency. Preference will be given to those applicants who are willing and available to fish year-round and who affirmatively state that they intend to do so, in order to ensure the timely and accurate data collection NMFS needs to meet this year’s research objectives. An applicant who has been charged criminally or civilly (e.g., issued a Notice of Violation and Assessment (NOVA) or Notice of Permit Sanction) for any HMS-related violation will not be considered for participation in the shark research fishery. In addition, applicants who were selected to carry an observer in the previous two years for any HMS fishery, but failed to contact NMFS to arrange the placement of an observer as required per 50 CFR 635.7, will not be considered for participation in the 2019 shark research fishery. Applicants who were selected to carry an observer in the previous two years for any HMS fishery and failed to comply with all the observer regulations per 50 CFR 635.7 will also not be considered. Exceptions will be made for vessels that were selected for HMS observer coverage but did not fish in the quarter when selected and thus did not require an observer. Applicants who do not possess a valid USCG safety inspection decal when the application is submitted will not be considered. Applicants who have been noncompliant with any of the HMS observer program regulations in the previous two years, as described above, may be eligible for future participation in shark research fishery activities by demonstrating two subsequent years of compliance with observer regulations at 50 CFR 635.7. Selection Process The HMS Management Division will review all submitted applications and develop a list of qualified applicants from those applications that are deemed complete. A qualified applicant is an VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:30 Oct 31, 2018 Jkt 247001 applicant that has submitted a complete application by the deadline (see DATES) and has met the selection criteria listed above. Qualified applicants are eligible to be selected to participate in the shark research fishery for 2019. The HMS Management Division will provide the list of qualified applicants without identifying information to the SEFSC. The SEFSC will then evaluate the list of qualified applicants and, based on the temporal and spatial needs of the research objectives, the availability of observers, the availability of qualified applicants, and the available quota for a given year, will randomly select qualified applicants to conduct the prescribed research. Where there are multiple qualified applicants that meet the criteria, permittees will be randomly selected through a lottery system. If a public meeting is deemed necessary, NMFS will announce details of a public selection meeting in a subsequent Federal Register notice. Once the selection process is complete, NMFS will notify the selected applicants and issue the shark research fishery permits. The shark research fishery permits will be valid through December 31, 2019, unless otherwise specified. If needed, NMFS will communicate with the shark research fishery permit holders to arrange a captain’s meeting to discuss the research objectives and protocols. NMFS usually holds mandatory captain’s meetings before observers are placed on vessels and may hold one for the 2019 shark research fishery in late 2018 or early 2019. Once the fishery starts, the shark research fishery permit holders must contact the NMFS observer coordinator to arrange the placement of a NMFS-approved observer for each shark research trip. Additionally, selected applicants are expected to allow observers the opportunity to perform their duties as required and assist observers as necessary. A shark research fishery permit will only be valid for the vessel and owner(s) and terms and conditions listed on the permit, and, thus, cannot be transferred to another vessel or owner(s). Shark research fishery permit holders must carry a NMFS-approved observer in order to land sandbar sharks. Issuance of a shark research permit does not guarantee that the permit holder will be assigned a NMFS-approved observer on any particular trip. Rather, issuance indicates that a vessel may be issued a NMFS-approved observer for a particular trip, and on such trips, may be allowed to harvest Atlantic sharks, including sandbar sharks, in excess of the retention limits described in 50 CFR PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54919 635.24(a). These retention limits will be based on available quota, number of vessels participating in the 2019 shark research fishery, the research objectives set forth by the shark board, the extent of other restrictions placed on the vessel, and may vary by vessel and/or location. When not operating under the auspices of the shark research fishery, the vessel would still be able to land LCS, SCS, and pelagic sharks subject to existing retention limits on trips without a NMFS-approved observer. NMFS annually invites commercial shark permit holders (directed and incidental) to submit an application to participate in the shark research fishery. Permit applications can be found on the HMS Management Division’s website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantichighly-migratory-species/atlantichighly-migratory-species-permits-andreporting-forms or by calling (301) 427– 8503. Final decisions on the issuance of a shark research fishery permit will depend on the submission of all required information by the deadline (see DATES), and NMFS’ review of applicant information as outlined above. The 2019 shark research fishery will start after the opening of the shark fishery and under available quotas as published in a separate Federal Register final rule. Dated: October 29, 2018. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–23901 Filed 10–31–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers New York and New Jersey Harbor Anchorages General Reevaluation Study NEPA Scoping Meeting and Public Comment Period Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Intent/NEPA Scoping meeting and public comment period. AGENCY: In accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) plans to prepare a General Reevaluation Study (GRR) with an integrated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate environmental impacts from reasonable project alternatives and to determine the potential for significant impacts related to the improvement of the anchorages included in the Federal navigation project to take into account SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 54920 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 212 / Thursday, November 1, 2018 / Notices changed conditions and/or assumptions since the original feasibility study was completed in 2000. The GRR will address the need for anchorage areas capable of safely accommodating the vessels navigating the anchorages at present and reasonably projected to be navigating them in the future; or find that no plan is currently justified. DATES: Scoping comments may be submitted until December 10, 2018. ADDRESSES: The public is invited to submit NEPA scoping comments at the meeting and/or submit comments to Mr. David Schulte, Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Fort Norfolk, 803 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510 or via email: David.M.Schulte@usace.army.mil. The project title and the commenter’s contact information should be included with submitted comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Schulte, (757) 201–7007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicable laws and regulations are section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4370, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508). The primary problem is that existing Federal anchorages in the harbor are insufficient in meeting the variety of functions (ex. security and U.S. Coast Guard inspections, lightering, bunkering/ refueling, waiting areas, and emergency ‘‘bailout’’ areas) they are used for as part of normal harbor operations, which reduces vessel safety and cargo transportation efficiency. Multiple issues have been identified by key harbor users and stakeholders. There is not enough anchorage area to accommodate all of the vessels that need to anchor for various reasons. The dimensions of existing anchorages cannot accommodate vessels larger than 1100 foot LOA (length overall) which is a significant portion of the vessels that regularly call on the harbor and anchored vessels regularly swing out into the navigation channel. Vessels are currently forced to wait outside the harbor in the ocean due to a lack of anchorage availability and/or anchorage areas designed for larger vessels. USACE is the lead federal agency and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will be the non-federal sponsor for the study. The GRR will address the primary problem of the New York and New Jersey Harbor Anchorages by studying all reasonable alternatives and determine the Federal interest in cost-sharing for those alternatives. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:30 Oct 31, 2018 Jkt 247001 As required by Council on Environmental Quality’s Principles, Requirements and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies all reasonable alternatives to the proposed Federal action that meet the purpose and need will be considered in the EIS. These alternatives will include no action and a range of reasonable alternatives for improving navigation in the New York & New Jersey Harbor Anchorages. Scoping/Public Involvement. The public NEPA scoping meeting will be held on November 8, 2018, from 5 p.m.8 p.m. It will be held at the GSA Building, conference rooms 1–3 on the 30th floor, at 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007. Federal, state, and local agencies, Indian tribes, and the public are invited to provide scoping comments to identify issues and potentially significant effects to be considered in the analysis. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2018–23879 Filed 10–31–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Availability of the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/ DEIR) for Westminster, East Garden Grove, California Flood Risk Management Study Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with Orange County Public Works, Orange County, CA announces the availability of a Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (Draft IFR) including Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Westminster, East Garden Grove, California Flood Risk Management Study for review and comment. The Draft IFR presents alternatives to address flood risk to the residents of the communities in the Westminster watershed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the flood risk within the Westminster watershed that is primarily attributable to drainage channels overwhelmed with having to collect and convey more surface runoff downstream towards eventual discharge into the Pacific Ocean than what they were designed for. USACE evaluated SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and analyzed various flood control measures and formulated alternatives specifically for the Westminster watershed. USACE also evaluated the potential impacts of the alternatives and ways to minimize such impacts. A Notice of Intent to prepare the Draft EIS was published on January 13, 2006. A public scoping meeting was conducted on January 25, 2006 in the City of Garden Grove, CA. DATES: The Draft IFR is available for a 45-day public review period, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), from Friday, October 19, 2018, through Monday, December 3, 2018. Comments will be accepted through the project email address at westminster_comments@ usace.army.mil, by letter and at public meetings. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on how to submit public comments, public meeting dates, and public meeting locations. ADDRESSES: For further information and/or questions about Westminster, East Garden Grove, please contact Michael Padilla, Program Manager, by mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, 231 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60604, by phone: 312–846–5427; or by email: Michael.C.Padilla@ usace.army.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background. The study is being conducted in accordance with the study resolution adopted by the Committee on Public Works, House of Representatives Committee on Public Works on May 8, 1964 (Flood Control Act of 1938). The goal of the Westminster, East Garden Grove Study is to identify sustainable flood risk management solutions within the Westminster watershed to reduce flooding caused by overtopping of the C05/C06 and C02/C04 channel systems. USACE conducted the Westminster Study in consultation with other Federal agencies, Native American tribes, state agencies, local governments, and non-governmental organizations. 2. The Draft IFR. The Draft IFR includes an analysis of four alternatives, including the No Action Alternative, to determine which plan or plans would merit further consideration for federal participation. The documentation also includes an analysis of the impacts of each alternative on existing resources within the Westminster watershed. The alternatives were developed to a level of detail sufficient to identify a Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP), as well as a Locally Preferred Plan (LPP). The TSP is the E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54919-54920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23879]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


New York and New Jersey Harbor Anchorages General Reevaluation 
Study NEPA Scoping Meeting and Public Comment Period

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent/NEPA Scoping meeting and public comment 
period.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) plans to prepare a General 
Reevaluation Study (GRR) with an integrated Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) to evaluate environmental impacts from reasonable 
project alternatives and to determine the potential for significant 
impacts related to the improvement of the anchorages included in the 
Federal navigation project to take into account

[[Page 54920]]

changed conditions and/or assumptions since the original feasibility 
study was completed in 2000. The GRR will address the need for 
anchorage areas capable of safely accommodating the vessels navigating 
the anchorages at present and reasonably projected to be navigating 
them in the future; or find that no plan is currently justified.

DATES: Scoping comments may be submitted until December 10, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The public is invited to submit NEPA scoping comments at the 
meeting and/or submit comments to Mr. David Schulte, Department of the 
Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Fort Norfolk, 803 
Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510 or via email: 
[email protected]. The project title and the commenter's 
contact information should be included with submitted comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Schulte, (757) 201-7007.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicable laws and regulations are section 
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4370, as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508). The primary 
problem is that existing Federal anchorages in the harbor are 
insufficient in meeting the variety of functions (ex. security and U.S. 
Coast Guard inspections, lightering, bunkering/refueling, waiting 
areas, and emergency ``bailout'' areas) they are used for as part of 
normal harbor operations, which reduces vessel safety and cargo 
transportation efficiency. Multiple issues have been identified by key 
harbor users and stakeholders. There is not enough anchorage area to 
accommodate all of the vessels that need to anchor for various reasons. 
The dimensions of existing anchorages cannot accommodate vessels larger 
than 1100 foot LOA (length overall) which is a significant portion of 
the vessels that regularly call on the harbor and anchored vessels 
regularly swing out into the navigation channel. Vessels are currently 
forced to wait outside the harbor in the ocean due to a lack of 
anchorage availability and/or anchorage areas designed for larger 
vessels.
    USACE is the lead federal agency and the Port Authority of New York 
and New Jersey will be the non-federal sponsor for the study. The GRR 
will address the primary problem of the New York and New Jersey Harbor 
Anchorages by studying all reasonable alternatives and determine the 
Federal interest in cost-sharing for those alternatives.
    As required by Council on Environmental Quality's Principles, 
Requirements and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources 
Implementation Studies all reasonable alternatives to the proposed 
Federal action that meet the purpose and need will be considered in the 
EIS. These alternatives will include no action and a range of 
reasonable alternatives for improving navigation in the New York & New 
Jersey Harbor Anchorages.
    Scoping/Public Involvement. The public NEPA scoping meeting will be 
held on November 8, 2018, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. It will be held at the GSA 
Building, conference rooms 1-3 on the 30th floor, at 290 Broadway, New 
York, NY 10007. Federal, state, and local agencies, Indian tribes, and 
the public are invited to provide scoping comments to identify issues 
and potentially significant effects to be considered in the analysis.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-23879 Filed 10-31-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P

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