Science Advisory Board, 48203-48204 [2020-17418]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 154 / Monday, August 10, 2020 / Notices
Based on the analysis contained
herein of the likely effects of the
specified activity on marine mammals
and their habitat, and taking into
consideration the implementation of the
proposed monitoring and mitigation
measures, NMFS preliminarily finds
that the total marine mammal take from
the proposed activity will have a
negligible impact on all affected marine
mammal species or stocks.
Small Numbers
As noted above, only small numbers
of incidental take may be authorized
under sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of
the MMPA for specified activities other
than military readiness activities. The
MMPA does not define small numbers
and so, in practice, where estimated
numbers are available, NMFS compares
the number of individuals taken to the
most appropriate estimation of
abundance of the relevant species or
stock in our determination of whether
an authorization is limited to small
numbers of marine mammals.
Additionally, other qualitative factors
may be considered in the analysis, such
as the temporal or spatial scale of the
activities.
The numbers of marine mammals that
we propose for authorization to be
taken, for all species and stocks, would
be small relative to the relevant stocks
or populations (less than 6 percent for
all species and stocks) as shown in
Table 8. 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
all affected species or stocks.
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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.
Endangered Species Act
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (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
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habitat. To ensure ESA compliance for
the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults
internally, in this case with the NMFS
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries
Office (GARFO), whenever we propose
to authorize take for endangered or
threatened species. Within the Survey
Area, fin, sei, humpback, North Atlantic
right, and sperm whales are listed as
endangered species under the ESA.
Under section 7 of the ESA, BOEM
consulted with NMFS on commercial
wind lease issuance and site assessment
activities on the Atlantic Outer
Continental Shelf in Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New York, and New
Jersey Wind Energy Areas. NOAA’s
GARFO issued a Biological Opinion
concluding that these activities may
adversely affect but are not likely to
jeopardize the continues existence of
these marine mammal species. The
Biological Opinion can be found online
at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/newengland-mid-atlantic/consultations/
section-7-biological-opinions-greateratlantic-region. NMFS will conclude the
ESA section 7 consultation prior to
reaching a determination regarding the
proposed issuance of the authorization.
If the IHA is issued, the Biological
Opinion may be amended to include an
incidental take statement for these
marine mammal species, as appropriate.
Proposed Authorization
As a result of these preliminary
determinations, NMFS proposes to issue
an IHA to ;rsted for HRG survey
activities effective one year from the
date of issuance, provided the
previously mentioned mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements
are incorporated. A draft of the
proposed IHA itself is available for
review in conjunction with this notice
at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/
incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act.
Request for Public Comments
We request comment on our analyses,
the proposed authorization, and any
other aspect of this Notice of Proposed
IHA for ;rsted’s proposed activity. 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
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48203
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).
(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.
Dated: August 5, 2020.
Donna Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–17354 Filed 8–7–20; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Science Advisory Board
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
AGENCY:
This notice sets forth the
schedule and proposed agenda of two
meetings of the Science Advisory Board
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 154 / Monday, August 10, 2020 / Notices
(SAB). The members will discuss issues
outlined in the section on Matters to be
considered.
DATES: There are two meetings: the first
meeting is scheduled for August 27,
2020, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The
second meeting is scheduled for
September 22, 2020, from 3:00 p.m. to
5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
These times and the agenda topics
described below are subject to change.
For the latest agenda please refer to the
SAB website: https://sab.noaa.gov/
SABMeetings.aspx.
Due to the current
Pandemic both meetings will be held
virtually. The link for the webinar
registration for the August 27, 2020
meeting may be found here: https://
attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/
1216984958297330448. The link for the
September 22, 2020 meeting will be
posted on the SAB website when
available.
ADDRESSES:
Dr.
Cynthia Decker, Executive Director,
SSMC3, Room 11230, 1315 East-West
Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910; Phone
Number: 301–734–1156; Email:
Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov; or visit the
SAB website at https://sab.noaa.gov/
SABMeetings.aspx.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The
NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB)
was established by a Decision
Memorandum dated September 25,
1997, and is the only Federal Advisory
Committee with responsibility to advise
the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies
for research, education, and application
of science to operations and information
services. SAB activities and advice
provide necessary input to ensure that
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) science
programs are of the highest quality and
provide optimal support to resource
management.
Status: The August 27, 2020 meeting
will be open to public participation
with a 5-minute public comment period
at 3:40 p.m. (EDT). The September 22,
2020 meeting will have a 5-minute
public comment period at 4:45 p.m.
(EDT). The SAB expects that public
statements presented at its meetings will
not be repetitive of previously
submitted verbal or written statements.
In general, each individual or group
making a verbal presentation will be
limited to a total time of three minutes.
Written comments for the August 27,
2020 meeting should be received by
August 12, 2020 and written comments
for the September 22, 2020 meeting
should be received in the SAB
Executive Director’s Office by
September 7, 2020 to provide sufficient
time for SAB review. Written comments
received by the SAB Executive Director
after these dates will be distributed to
the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior
to the meeting date.
Special Accommodations: These
meetings are physically accessible to
people with disabilities. Requests for
special accommodations may be
directed to the Executive Director no
later than 12:00 p.m. (EDT).
Matters To Be Considered: The
meeting on August 27, 2020 will
consider the Precipitation Prediction
Grand Challenge report by the Climate
Working Group. The September 22,
2020 meeting will consider updates
contained in the SAB long-term work
plan based on the NOAA Priorities.
Meeting materials, including work
products, will be made available on the
SAB website: https://sab.noaa.gov/
SABMeetings.aspx.
Dated: August 5, 2020.
Eric Locklear,
Deputy Chief Financial Officer/
Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020–17418 Filed 8–7–20; 8:45 am]
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XA355]
New England Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
The New England Fishery
Management Council (Council) is
scheduling a public meeting of its
Herring Advisory Panel via webinar to
consider actions affecting New England
fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ). Recommendations from this
group will be brought to the full Council
for formal consideration and action, if
appropriate.
DATES: This webinar will be held on
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 9.30 a.m.
Webinar registration URL information:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/
register/4792386764946327823.
ADDRESSES:
Meeting address: The meeting will be
held via webinar.
SUMMARY:
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Council address: New England
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
New England Fishery Management
Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Agenda
The Advisory Panel will review
results of the 2020 management track
assessment for Atlantic herring. They
will also continue development of
Framework 8 to the Atlantic Herring
Fishery Management Plan and review
preliminary analyses. Framework 8 is
considering fishery specifications for
fishing years 2021–23 and adjusting
measures in the herring plan that
potentially inhibit the mackerel fishery
from achieving optimum yield. Other
business will be discussed as necessary.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained on the 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. The public also should be
aware that the meeting will be recorded.
Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy
of the recording is available upon
request.
Special Accommodations
This meeting is physically accessible
to people with disabilities. 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: August 5, 2020.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–17403 Filed 8–7–20; 8:45 am]
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[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 154 (Monday, August 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48203-48204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17418]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Science Advisory Board
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of two
meetings of the Science Advisory Board
[[Page 48204]]
(SAB). The members will discuss issues outlined in the section on
Matters to be considered.
DATES: There are two meetings: the first meeting is scheduled for
August 27, 2020, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
(EDT). The second meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2020, from
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). These times and the
agenda topics described below are subject to change. For the latest
agenda please refer to the SAB website: https://sab.noaa.gov/SABMeetings.aspx.
ADDRESSES: Due to the current Pandemic both meetings will be held
virtually. The link for the webinar registration for the August 27,
2020 meeting may be found here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1216984958297330448. The link for the September 22, 2020
meeting will be posted on the SAB website when available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Cynthia Decker, Executive
Director, SSMC3, Room 11230, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD
20910; Phone Number: 301-734-1156; Email: [email protected]; or
visit the SAB website at https://sab.noaa.gov/SABMeetings.aspx.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) was
established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is
the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for
research, education, and application of science to operations and
information services. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input
to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support
to resource management.
Status: The August 27, 2020 meeting will be open to public
participation with a 5-minute public comment period at 3:40 p.m. (EDT).
The September 22, 2020 meeting will have a 5-minute public comment
period at 4:45 p.m. (EDT). The SAB expects that public statements
presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously
submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or
group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of
three minutes. Written comments for the August 27, 2020 meeting should
be received by August 12, 2020 and written comments for the September
22, 2020 meeting should be received in the SAB Executive Director's
Office by September 7, 2020 to provide sufficient time for SAB review.
Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after these
dates will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to
the meeting date.
Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to
people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be
directed to the Executive Director no later than 12:00 p.m. (EDT).
Matters To Be Considered: The meeting on August 27, 2020 will
consider the Precipitation Prediction Grand Challenge report by the
Climate Working Group. The September 22, 2020 meeting will consider
updates contained in the SAB long-term work plan based on the NOAA
Priorities. Meeting materials, including work products, will be made
available on the SAB website: https://sab.noaa.gov/SABMeetings.aspx.
Dated: August 5, 2020.
Eric Locklear,
Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Officer, Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-17418 Filed 8-7-20; 8:45 am]
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