Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ice Road and Ice Trail Construction and Maintenance on Alaska's North Slope, 32726-32727 [2019-14530]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 9, 2019 / Notices
Agenda
The committee will receive and
discuss a Plan Development Team
report on incentive-based measures,
how they can be used in a Fishery
Ecosystem Framework with harvest
control rules for stock complexes. These
options will be incorporated into an
example Fishery Ecosystem Plan (eFEP)
which is scheduled to be presented to
the Council at its September meeting.
Related issues for drafting an eFEP and
other ecosystem management activities,
including further evaluation of
jurisdiction and co-management for
Georges Bank stock complexes, may be
discussed. Other business may be
discussed as necessary.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained on this agenda may come
before this Council for discussion, those
issues may not be the subject of formal
action during this meeting. Council
action will be restricted to those issues
specifically listed in this notice and any
issues arising after publication of this
notice that require emergency action
under section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Act, provided the public has
been notified of the Council’s intent to
take final action to address the
emergency.
Special Accommodations
This meeting is physically accessible
to people with disabilities. This meeting
will be recorded. Consistent with 16
U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is
available upon request. Requests for
sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at
(978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to
the meeting date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 3, 2019.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–14520 Filed 7–8–19; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
Jkt 247001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive
Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, telephone: (302)
526–5255.
The
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea
Bass Monitoring Committee will meet
via webinar to review and provide
feedback on the results of a Management
Strategy Evaluation (MSE) for
recreational summer flounder
management, which models alternative
management options for the recreational
summer flounder fishery to compare the
expected performance of different
management strategies and measures.
Meeting materials will be posted to
https://www.mafmc.org/council-events/
2019/sfsbsb-mc-webinar-july31.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Special Accommodations
The meeting is physically accessible
to people with disabilities. Requests for
sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to M.
Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic
Council Office (302) 526–5251 at least 5
days prior to the meeting date.
[FR Doc. 2019–14518 Filed 7–8–19; 8:45 am]
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; public meeting.
17:47 Jul 08, 2019
The meeting will be held
via webinar, which can be accessed at:
https://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/fsbmc-july2019/. Meeting audio can also be
accessed via telephone by dialing 1–
800–832–0736 and entering room
number 4472108.
Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, 800 N State
Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901;
telephone: (302) 674–2331;
www.mafmc.org.
ADDRESSES:
Dated: July 3, 2019.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
RIN 0648–XH083
AGENCY:
The meeting will be held on
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 from 10:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For agenda details,
see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
DATES:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
VerDate Sep<11>2014
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council’s Summer
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Monitoring Committee will hold a
public webinar meeting.
SUMMARY:
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XG994
Taking and Importing Marine
Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Ice Road and Ice Trail
Construction and Maintenance on
Alaska’s North Slope
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
Letter of Authorization; request for
comments and information.
AGENCY:
NMFS has received a request
from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp) and
Eni US Operating Co. Inc. (Eni) for
authorization to take small numbers of
marine mammals incidental to ice road
and ice trail construction, maintenance,
and operation in Alaska’s North Slope
over the course of five years from the
date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations
implementing the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is
announcing receipt of the Hilcorp and
Eni’s joint request for the development
and implementation of regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals. NMFS invites the
public to provide information,
suggestions, and comments on Hilcorp
and Eni’s application and request.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received no later than August 8,
2019.
SUMMARY:
Comments on the
applications should be addressed to
Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and
Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service. Physical comments
should be sent to 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and
electronic comments should be sent to
ITP.guan@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 received
electronically, including all
attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte 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 online at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/
23111 without change. All personal
identifying information (e.g., name,
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM
09JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 9, 2019 / Notices
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
address) 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:
Shane Guan, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. An
electronic copy of Hilcorp and Eni’s
application may be obtained online at:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
national/marine-mammal-protection/
incidental-take-authorizations-oil-andgas. In case of problems accessing these
documents, please call the contact listed
above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated
to NMFS) 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)
within a specified geographical region if
certain findings are made and either
regulations are issued or, if the taking is
limited to harassment, a notice of a
proposed authorization is provided to
the public for review.
An incidental take authorization shall
be granted if NMFS finds that the taking
will have a negligible impact on the
species or stock(s), will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for
subsistence uses (where relevant), and if
the permissible methods of taking and
requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of
such takings are set forth.
NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
impact’’ in 50 CFR 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.
The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’
means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or
attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
any marine mammal.
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).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:47 Jul 08, 2019
Jkt 247001
Summary of Request
On December 2, 2018, NMFS received
a joint application from Hilcorp and Eni
requesting authorization for take of
marine mammals incidental to
construction activities related to ice
roads and ice trails in North Slope,
Alaska. The requested regulations
would be valid for five years, from
approximately December 1, 2019
through November 30, 2024. Hilcorp
and Eni plan to conduct necessary work,
including use of heavy machinery on
ice, to facilitate access to North Slope
offshore oil and gas facilities. The
proposed action may incidentally
expose marine mammals occurring in
the vicinity to elevated levels of sound,
human presence on ice habitat, and
interactions with heavy machinery,
thereby resulting in incidental take, by
Level B harassment and serious injury
or mortality. NMFS provided questions
and comments to Hilcorp and Eni after
receiving the initial application
regarding the scope of the project and
impact analysis. Hilcorp and Eni
submitted a modified request on May
21, 2019 and NMFS deemed the
application adequate and complete on
May 31, 2019.
Specified Activities
Hilcorp and Eni conduct oil and gas
operations at Northstar Production
Facility (Northstar) and Spy Island
Drillsite (SID), respectively, in coastal
Beaufort Sea waters, Alaska. Ice roads
and ice trails are constructed yearly to
connect and allow access to offshore
facilities. The process of constructing
ice roads includes clearing of snow,
drilling holes in the ice, pumping
seawater to the surface, and the
operation of tracked and wheeled
vehicles. Construction of ice trails and
maintenance of ice roads generally
requires the presence of vehicles and
personnel with snow blowing
equipment.
Each year, Hilcorp will construct and
maintain an estimated 11.7 kilometer
(km) ice road and approximately 21.9
kms of ice trails to their Northstar Island
and West Dock facilities. Each year, Eni
will construct and maintain an
estimated 6.8 km of ice roads and 6.8
km of ice trails related to their SID
facility, and an additional 8.9 to 11.2 km
of ice roads related to their Oooguruk
activities.
Construction of ice roads and ice
trails generally begins in late December
and the process takes approximately six
weeks. These roads and trails and used
and maintained until Mid-May when
the ice becomes too unstable to access.
Ringed seals (Phoca hispida hispida) are
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32727
the only marine mammal species
expected to occur in the action area
during construction, use, and
maintenance activity.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit
information, suggestions, and comments
concerning Hilcorp and Eni’s request
(see ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider all
information, suggestions, and comments
related to the request during the
development of proposed regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals by Hilcorp and Eni, if
appropriate.
Dated: July 3, 2019.
Donna Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–14530 Filed 7–8–19; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XH082
Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and
South Atlantic; Southeast Data,
Assessment, and Review (SEDAR);
Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 64 Post-Data
Workshop Webinar for Southeast (SE)
yellowtail snapper.
AGENCY:
The SEDAR 64 stock
assessment process for SE yellowtail
snapper will consist of a Data
Workshop, a series of data and
assessment webinars, and a Review
Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
SUMMARY:
The SEDAR 64 Post-Data
Workshop Webinar will be held July 23,
2019, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Eastern
Time.
DATES:
The meeting will be held
via webinar. The webinar is open to
members of the public. Those interested
in participating should contact Julie A.
Neer at SEDAR (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT) to request an
invitation providing webinar access
information. Please request webinar
invitations at least 24 hours in advance
of each webinar.
SEDAR address: 4055 Faber Place
Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC
29405.
ADDRESSES:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32726-32727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14530]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XG994
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Ice Road and Ice Trail Construction and Maintenance on
Alaska's North Slope
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for Letter of Authorization;
request for comments and information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp)
and Eni US Operating Co. Inc. (Eni) for authorization to take small
numbers of marine mammals incidental to ice road and ice trail
construction, maintenance, and operation in Alaska's North Slope over
the course of five years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to
regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS
is announcing receipt of the Hilcorp and Eni's joint request for the
development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental
taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide
information, suggestions, and comments on Hilcorp and Eni's application
and request.
DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than August
8, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the applications should be addressed to Jolie
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Physical comments should
be sent to 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and
electronic comments should be sent to [email protected].
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 received electronically, 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 online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/23111 without change. All personal
identifying information (e.g., name,
[[Page 32727]]
address) 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: Shane Guan, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401. An electronic copy of Hilcorp and
Eni's application may be obtained online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-oil-and-gas. In case of problems accessing these
documents, please call the contact listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.)
direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) 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) within a specified geographical region
if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if
the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed
authorization is provided to the public for review.
An incidental take authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds
that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or
stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings
are set forth.
NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 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.
The MMPA states that the term ``take'' means to harass, hunt,
capture, kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine
mammal.
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 December 2, 2018, NMFS received a joint application from Hilcorp
and Eni requesting authorization for take of marine mammals incidental
to construction activities related to ice roads and ice trails in North
Slope, Alaska. The requested regulations would be valid for five years,
from approximately December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2024. Hilcorp
and Eni plan to conduct necessary work, including use of heavy
machinery on ice, to facilitate access to North Slope offshore oil and
gas facilities. The proposed action may incidentally expose marine
mammals occurring in the vicinity to elevated levels of sound, human
presence on ice habitat, and interactions with heavy machinery, thereby
resulting in incidental take, by Level B harassment and serious injury
or mortality. NMFS provided questions and comments to Hilcorp and Eni
after receiving the initial application regarding the scope of the
project and impact analysis. Hilcorp and Eni submitted a modified
request on May 21, 2019 and NMFS deemed the application adequate and
complete on May 31, 2019.
Specified Activities
Hilcorp and Eni conduct oil and gas operations at Northstar
Production Facility (Northstar) and Spy Island Drillsite (SID),
respectively, in coastal Beaufort Sea waters, Alaska. Ice roads and ice
trails are constructed yearly to connect and allow access to offshore
facilities. The process of constructing ice roads includes clearing of
snow, drilling holes in the ice, pumping seawater to the surface, and
the operation of tracked and wheeled vehicles. Construction of ice
trails and maintenance of ice roads generally requires the presence of
vehicles and personnel with snow blowing equipment.
Each year, Hilcorp will construct and maintain an estimated 11.7
kilometer (km) ice road and approximately 21.9 kms of ice trails to
their Northstar Island and West Dock facilities. Each year, Eni will
construct and maintain an estimated 6.8 km of ice roads and 6.8 km of
ice trails related to their SID facility, and an additional 8.9 to 11.2
km of ice roads related to their Oooguruk activities.
Construction of ice roads and ice trails generally begins in late
December and the process takes approximately six weeks. These roads and
trails and used and maintained until Mid-May when the ice becomes too
unstable to access. Ringed seals (Phoca hispida hispida) are the only
marine mammal species expected to occur in the action area during
construction, use, and maintenance activity.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and
comments concerning Hilcorp and Eni's request (see ADDRESSES). NMFS
will consider all information, suggestions, and comments related to the
request during the development of proposed regulations governing the
incidental taking of marine mammals by Hilcorp and Eni, if appropriate.
Dated: July 3, 2019.
Donna Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14530 Filed 7-8-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
