Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 43069-43070 [2019-17912]

Download as PDF jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 20, 2019 / Rules and Regulations design standards; and (4) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for such small entities. 242. The Commission has taken steps to minimize any economic impact of its auction procedures on small businesses through among other things, the many free resources it provides potential auction participants. Consistent with the past practices in prior auctions, small entities that are potential participants will have access to detailed educational information and Commission personnel to help guide their participation in Auction 103, which should alleviate any need to hire professionals. More specifically, small entities and other auction participants may seek clarification of or guidance on complying with competitive bidding rules and procedures, reporting requirements, and using the bidding system. Additionally, an FCC Auctions Hotline will provide small entities oneon-one access to Commission staff for information about the auction process and procedures. Further, the FCC Auctions Technical Support Hotline is another resource which provides technical assistance to applicants, including small business entities, on issues such as access to or navigation within the electronic FCC Form 175 and use of the bidding system. Small entities and other would-be participants will also be provided various materials on the pre-bidding process in advance of the short-form application filing window, which includes step-by-step instructions on how to complete FCC Form 175. In addition, small entities will have access to the web-based, interactive online tutorial produced by Commission staff to familiarize themselves with auction procedures, filing requirements, bidding procedures, and other matters related to an auction. 243. Various databases and other sources of information, including the Auctions program websites, and copies of Commission decisions, will be available to the public without charge, providing a low-cost mechanism for small businesses to conduct research prior to and throughout the auction. Prior to and at the close of Auction 103, the Commission and Office will post public notices on the Auctions website, which articulate the procedures and deadlines for the auction. The Commission will make this information easily accessible and without charge to benefit all Auction 103 applicants, including small businesses, thereby lowering their administrative costs to comply with the Commission’s competitive bidding rules. 244. Eligible bidders will be given an opportunity to become familiar with VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Aug 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 auction procedures and the bidding system by participating in a mock auction. Eligible bidders will have access to a user guide for the bidding system, bidding file formats, and an online bidding procedures tutorial in advance of the mock auction. Further, the Commission will conduct Auction 103 electronically over the internet using a web-based auction system that eliminates the need for small entities and other bidders to be physically present in a specific location. Qualified bidders will also have the option to place bids by telephone. These mechanisms are made available to facilitate participation in Auction 103 by all eligible bidders and may result in significant cost savings for small business entities that use these alternatives. Moreover, the adoption of bidding procedures in advance of the auction, consistent with statutory directive, is designed to ensure that the auction will be administered predictably and fairly for all participants, including small businesses. 245. Another step taken to minimize the economic impact for small entities participating in Auction 103 is the Commission’s adoption of bidding credits for small businesses. In accordance with the service rules applicable to the UMFUS licenses to be offered in Auction 103, bidding credit discounts will be available to eligible small businesses and small business consortiums on the following basis: (1) A bidder with attributed average annual gross revenues that do not exceed $55 million for the preceding three years is eligible to receive a 15% discount on its winning bid, or (2) a bidder with attributed average annual gross revenues that do not exceed $20 million for the preceding three years is eligible to receive a 25% discount on its winning bid. Eligible applicants can receive only one of the available bidding credits—not both. This two-tier approach has proven successful for small businesses in past auctions. 246. The total amount of bidding credit discounts that may be awarded to an eligible small business is capped at $25 million, and there is a $10 million cap on the total amount of bidding credit discounts that may be awarded to a rural service provider. The Commission adopts a $10 million cap on the overall amount of bidding credits that any winning small business bidder may apply to winning licenses in markets with a population of 500,000 or less. Based on the technical characteristics of the UMFUS bands and an analysis of past auction data, the Commission anticipates that the caps PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 43069 will allow the majority of small businesses to take full advantage of the bidding credit program, thereby lowering the relative costs of participation for small businesses. Furthermore, the Commission adopts upfront payment amounts that are onefourth of the amounts proposed in the Auction 103 Comment Public Notice, which will minimize the economic impact on small entities. 247. These procedures for the conduct of Auction 103 constitute the more specific implementation of the competitive bidding rules contemplated by parts 1 and 30 of the Commission’s rules and the underlying rulemaking orders, and relevant competitive bidding orders, and are fully consistent therewith. 248. Report to Congress. The Commission will send a copy of the Auction 103 Procedures Public Notice, including the Supplemental FRFA, in a report to Congress pursuant to the Congressional Review Act. In addition, the Commission will send a copy of the Auction 103 Procedures Public Notice, including the Supplemental FRFA to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA. A copy of the Auction 103 Procedures Public Notice, and Supplemental FRFA (or summaries thereof), will also be published in the Federal Register. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–17792 Filed 8–19–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 180713633–9174–02] RIN 0648–XY003 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western Aleutian district (WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels E:\FR\FM\20AUR1.SGM 20AUR1 43070 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 20, 2019 / Rules and Regulations jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with RULES participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the WAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 15, 2019, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2019 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the WAI, allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:49 Aug 19, 2019 Jkt 247001 access fishery was established as a directed fishing allowance of 178 metric tons by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the WAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. While this closure is effective, the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, (AA) finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of the Pacific ocean perch directed fishery in the WAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of August 15, 2019. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 15, 2019. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–17912 Filed 8–15–19; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\20AUR1.SGM 20AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43069-43070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17912]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 180713633-9174-02]
RIN 0648-XY003


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch 
in the Western Aleutian district (WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels

[[Page 43070]]

participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This 
action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 total allowable catch 
(TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the WAI allocated to vessels 
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 15, 2019, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with 
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2019 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the WAI, allocated to 
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was 
established as a directed fishing allowance of 178 metric tons by the 
final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been 
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific 
ocean perch in the WAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited access fishery. While this closure is effective, the maximum 
retainable amounts at Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during 
a trip.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, (AA) finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such a requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the closure of the Pacific ocean perch directed fishery in 
the WAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access 
fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public 
comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as 
of August 15, 2019.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: August 15, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-17912 Filed 8-15-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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