General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and Scientific Advisory Subcommittee to the General Advisory Committee; Meeting Announcements, 36562-36563 [2020-13073]

Download as PDF 36562 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 117 / Wednesday, June 17, 2020 / Notices temporal or spatial scale of the activities. Based on the analysis contained herein of the proposed activity (including the proposed mitigation and monitoring measures) and the anticipated take of marine mammals, NMFS preliminarily 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. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 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. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take or propose mitigation measures that would avoid incidental take of endangered or threatened species, in this case with the Greater Atlantic Regional Field Office (GARFO). In the absence of proposed mitigation measures take of North Atlantic right whale, fin whale, sei whale, and sperm whale could potentially occur. The Permits and Conservation Division has requested initiation of Section 7 consultation with GARFO for the issuance of this IHA. NMFS will conclude the ESA consultation prior to reaching a determination regarding the proposed issuance of the authorization. Proposed Authorization As a result of these preliminary determinations, NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to Dominion for conducting HRG surveys off the coast of Virginia for a period of one year after the issuance of the IHA, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. A draft of the proposed IHA can be found at https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/ incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Jun 16, 2020 Jkt 250001 Request for Public Comments We request comment on our analyses, the proposed authorization, and any other aspect of this Notice of Proposed IHA for the proposed HRG surveys. We also request at this time comment on the potential Renewal of this proposed IHA as described in the paragraph below. Please include with your comments any supporting data or literature citations to help inform decisions on the request for this IHA or a subsequent Renewal IHA. On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may issue a one-time one-year Renewal IHA following notice to the public providing an additional 15 days for public comments when (1) up to another year of identical or nearly identical, or nearly identical, activities as described in the Specified Activities section of this notice is planned or (2) the activities as described in the Specified Activities section of this notice would not be completed by the time the IHA expires and a Renewal would allow for completion of the activities beyond that described in the Dates and Duration section of this notice, provided all of the following conditions are met: • A request for renewal is received no later than 60 days prior to the needed Renewal IHA effective date (recognizing that the Renewal IHA expiration date cannot extend beyond one year from expiration of the initial IHA). • The request for renewal must include the following: (1) An explanation that the activities to be conducted under the requested Renewal IHA are identical to the activities analyzed under the initial IHA, are a subset of the activities, or include changes so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) that the changes do not affect the previous analyses, mitigation and monitoring requirements, or take estimates (with the exception of reducing the type or amount of take); and (2) A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or authorized; • Upon review of the request for Renewal, the status of the affected species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS determines that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, the mitigation and monitoring measures will remain the same and appropriate, and the findings in the initial IHA remain valid. PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: June 11, 2020. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–12997 Filed 6–16–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XW033] General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and Scientific Advisory Subcommittee to the General Advisory Committee; Meeting Announcements National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting; consolidation of two meetings. AGENCY: NMFS announces a consolidation of the public meeting of the Scientific Advisory Subcommittee (SAS) to the General Advisory Committee (GAC) scheduled on June 17, 2020, with the public meeting of the GAC to the U.S. Section to the InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) scheduled on June 18, 2020. This newly consolidated SAS and GAC meeting will be held on June 18, 2020, via webinar. The meeting topics are described under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. DATES: The consolidated meeting of the SAS and GAC will be held on June 18, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PDT (or until business is concluded). ADDRESSES: Please notify William Stahnke (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) if you plan to attend the webinar. Instructions will be emailed to meeting participants before the meeting occurs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Stahnke, West Coast Region, NMFS, at william.stahnke@noaa.gov, or at (562) 980–4088. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 5, 2020, NMFS announced that it scheduled a public meeting of the SAS to the GAC on June 17, 2020, and a public meeting of the GAC to the U.S. Section to the IATTC on June 18, 2020 (85 FR 12907). On May 19, 2020, NMFS announced a revision to the format of the public meetings of the SAS and the GAC, which would be held solely by webinar instead of in-person; additionally NMFS announced that the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\17JNN1.SGM 17JNN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 117 / Wednesday, June 17, 2020 / Notices U.S. Stakeholder conference call to discuss IATTC tropical tuna management in the eastern Pacific Ocean scheduled for May 22, 2020, was cancelled, and the content of that call would be included in the SAS and GAC webinars (85 FR 29931). However, due to the unexpected and recent postponement of the IATTC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Virtual Discussion scheduled for June 16, 2020, and the resulting delay of the release of information and recommendations, there will be limited information available to hold a standalone SAS meeting. Therefore, NMFS is consolidating the SAS and GAC meetings into one webinar on June 18, 2020. This consolidated meeting also includes the content of the cancelled U.S. Stakeholder conference call to discuss tropical tuna management in the eastern Pacific Ocean. In accordance with the Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), the U.S. Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Department of State (the State Department), appoints a GAC to the U.S. Section to the IATTC, and a SAS that advises the GAC. The U.S. Section consists of the four U.S. Commissioners to the IATTC and representatives of the State Department, NOAA, Department of Commerce, other U.S. Government agencies, and stakeholders. The GAC advises the U.S. Section with respect to U.S. participation in the work of the IATTC, focusing on the development of U.S. policies, positions, and negotiating tactics. The purpose of the SAS is to advise the GAC on scientific matters. NMFS West Coast Region staff provide administrative support for the GAC and SAS. The meetings of the GAC and SAS are open to the public, unless in executive session. The time and manner of public comment will be at the discretion of the Chairs for the GAC and SAS. Currently, the 95th meeting of the IATTC, the 41st Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP), and IATTC and AIDCP working group meetings are scheduled to be held, in whatever format, from October 26 to November 6, 2020. However, these dates are subject to change. For more information and updates on these meetings, please visit the IATTC’s website: https://www.iattc.org/ MeetingsENG.htm. SAS and GAC Meeting Topics In a memorandum from the IATTC Director to the IATTC Commissioners and Heads of Delegation on June 9, 2020 (Ref. No. 0287–410), the IATTC Director VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Jun 16, 2020 Jkt 250001 announced that the pre-recorded SAC presentations and the live SAC virtual discussion that were scheduled to occur on June 12 and June 16, 2020, respectively, would be postponed until after the dates scheduled for the meetings of the SAS and GAC. As such, the consolidated SAS and GAC meeting will have a streamlined agenda. The meeting agenda will include, but is not limited to, the following topics: (1) Overview of the 2020 IATTC Meetings; (2) Outcomes of the 2020 stock assessments and stock status updates for tuna, tuna-like species, and other species caught in association with those fisheries in the eastern Pacific Ocean; (3) Evaluation of the IATTC Staff’s Recommendations to the Commission for 2020; (4) Issues related to non-target species, such as sharks, seabirds, sea turtles; (5) Evaluation of U.S. priorities for the 95th meeting of the IATTC and priorities from other IATTC members; (6) Recommendations and evaluations by the SAS and GAC; and (7) Other issues as they arise. Special Accommodations Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to William Stahnke (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. Dated: June 12, 2020. He´le`ne M.N. Scalliet, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–13073 Filed 6–12–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA183] Endangered Species; File No. 21516 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments. AGENCY: NMFS has received a revised application from Virginia Electric and Power Company, D.B.A. Dominion Virginia Power for an incidental take permit, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act for activities associated with the otherwise lawful continued operation and maintenance of the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36563 Dominion Chesterfield Power Station in Chesterfield, VA. We are publishing this notice to inform the public that we are considering issuing a 5-year permit to the applicant that would authorize take of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) from the Chesapeake Bay. DATES: To allow for timely processing of the permit application, we must receive your comments no later than July 17, 2020. ADDRESSES: The application is available for download and review at https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/esa_ review.htm under the section heading ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permits and Applications and at https:// www.regulations.gov. The application is also available upon request by emailing nmfs.gar.dominionitp@noaa.gov. Submit your comments by including NOAA–NMFS–2017–0051–0001, by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. 1. Go to www.regulations.gov/ document?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-00510001. 2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields. 3. Enter or attach your comments. • Email: Submit information to nmfs.gar.dominionitp@noaa.gov. Instructions: We may not consider comments if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the specified period. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.) confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information submitted voluntarily by the sender is publicly accessible. We will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Crocker, (978) 282–8480. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, NMFS, published notice in the Federal Register on August 14, 2017 (82 FR 37849), of an application from Virginia Electric and Power Company, D.B.A. Dominion Virginia Power (Dominion) for an incidental take permit (ITP) to take federally listed Atlantic sturgeon belonging to the Chesapeake Bay Distinct Population Segment (Chesapeake Bay DPS) over a 10-year period as a result of impingement and entrainment in the Chesterfield Power Station (CPS) cooling water intake E:\FR\FM\17JNN1.SGM 17JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 17, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36562-36563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13073]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XW033]


General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the Inter-
American Tropical Tuna Commission and Scientific Advisory Subcommittee 
to the General Advisory Committee; Meeting Announcements

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; consolidation of two meetings.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS announces a consolidation of the public meeting of the 
Scientific Advisory Subcommittee (SAS) to the General Advisory 
Committee (GAC) scheduled on June 17, 2020, with the public meeting of 
the GAC to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna 
Commission (IATTC) scheduled on June 18, 2020. This newly consolidated 
SAS and GAC meeting will be held on June 18, 2020, via webinar. The 
meeting topics are described under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this notice.

DATES: The consolidated meeting of the SAS and GAC will be held on June 
18, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PDT (or until business is 
concluded).

ADDRESSES: Please notify William Stahnke (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT) if you plan to attend the webinar. Instructions will be 
emailed to meeting participants before the meeting occurs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Stahnke, West Coast Region, 
NMFS, at [email protected], or at (562) 980-4088.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 5, 2020, NMFS announced that it 
scheduled a public meeting of the SAS to the GAC on June 17, 2020, and 
a public meeting of the GAC to the U.S. Section to the IATTC on June 
18, 2020 (85 FR 12907). On May 19, 2020, NMFS announced a revision to 
the format of the public meetings of the SAS and the GAC, which would 
be held solely by webinar instead of in-person; additionally NMFS 
announced that the

[[Page 36563]]

U.S. Stakeholder conference call to discuss IATTC tropical tuna 
management in the eastern Pacific Ocean scheduled for May 22, 2020, was 
cancelled, and the content of that call would be included in the SAS 
and GAC webinars (85 FR 29931). However, due to the unexpected and 
recent postponement of the IATTC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) 
Virtual Discussion scheduled for June 16, 2020, and the resulting delay 
of the release of information and recommendations, there will be 
limited information available to hold a standalone SAS meeting. 
Therefore, NMFS is consolidating the SAS and GAC meetings into one 
webinar on June 18, 2020. This consolidated meeting also includes the 
content of the cancelled U.S. Stakeholder conference call to discuss 
tropical tuna management in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
    In accordance with the Tuna Conventions Act (16 U.S.C. 951 et 
seq.), the U.S. Department of Commerce, in consultation with the 
Department of State (the State Department), appoints a GAC to the U.S. 
Section to the IATTC, and a SAS that advises the GAC. The U.S. Section 
consists of the four U.S. Commissioners to the IATTC and 
representatives of the State Department, NOAA, Department of Commerce, 
other U.S. Government agencies, and stakeholders. The GAC advises the 
U.S. Section with respect to U.S. participation in the work of the 
IATTC, focusing on the development of U.S. policies, positions, and 
negotiating tactics. The purpose of the SAS is to advise the GAC on 
scientific matters. NMFS West Coast Region staff provide administrative 
support for the GAC and SAS. The meetings of the GAC and SAS are open 
to the public, unless in executive session. The time and manner of 
public comment will be at the discretion of the Chairs for the GAC and 
SAS.
    Currently, the 95th meeting of the IATTC, the 41st Meeting of the 
Parties to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation 
Program (AIDCP), and IATTC and AIDCP working group meetings are 
scheduled to be held, in whatever format, from October 26 to November 
6, 2020. However, these dates are subject to change. For more 
information and updates on these meetings, please visit the IATTC's 
website: https://www.iattc.org/MeetingsENG.htm.

SAS and GAC Meeting Topics

    In a memorandum from the IATTC Director to the IATTC Commissioners 
and Heads of Delegation on June 9, 2020 (Ref. No. 0287-410), the IATTC 
Director announced that the pre-recorded SAC presentations and the live 
SAC virtual discussion that were scheduled to occur on June 12 and June 
16, 2020, respectively, would be postponed until after the dates 
scheduled for the meetings of the SAS and GAC. As such, the 
consolidated SAS and GAC meeting will have a streamlined agenda.
    The meeting agenda will include, but is not limited to, the 
following topics:
    (1) Overview of the 2020 IATTC Meetings;
    (2) Outcomes of the 2020 stock assessments and stock status updates 
for tuna, tuna-like species, and other species caught in association 
with those fisheries in the eastern Pacific Ocean;
    (3) Evaluation of the IATTC Staff's Recommendations to the 
Commission for 2020;
    (4) Issues related to non-target species, such as sharks, seabirds, 
sea turtles;
    (5) Evaluation of U.S. priorities for the 95th meeting of the IATTC 
and priorities from other IATTC members;
    (6) Recommendations and evaluations by the SAS and GAC; and
    (7) Other issues as they arise.

Special Accommodations

    Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to William Stahnke (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.

    Dated: June 12, 2020.
H[eacute]l[egrave]ne M.N. Scalliet,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-13073 Filed 6-12-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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