Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group; Public Meeting, 10550-10551 [2021-03515]

Download as PDF 10550 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Notices whether modifications in the activities are appropriate. In the event that the Navy discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, and the marine mammal observer determines that the injury or death is not associated with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA (previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced decomposition, or scavenger damage), the Navy shall report the incident to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources, and the NMFS Greater Atlantic Coast Region Stranding Coordinator within 24 hours of the discovery. The Navy shall provide photographs or video footage (if available) or other documentation of the stranded animal(s) to NMFS Office of Protected Resources, and the NMFS Greater Atlantic Coast Region Stranding Coordinator. The Navy may continue its operations under such a case. tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES Public Comments As noted previously, NMFS published a notice of a proposed 2019 IHA (84 FR 13252; April 4, 2019) and solicited public comments on both our proposal to issue the 2019 IHA for the Navy’s construction activities and on the potential for an IHA renewal, should certain requirements be met. All public comments were addressed in the notice announcing the issuance of the initial IHA (84 FR 24476; May 28, 2019). Below, we describe how we have addressed, with updated information where appropriate, any comments received that specifically pertain to the renewal of the initial IHA. Comment: The Commission recommends that NMFS refrain from implementing its proposed renewal process and instead use abbreviated Federal Register notices and reference existing documents to streamline the IHA process. If NMFS adopts the proposed renewal process, the Commission recommends that NMFS provide the Commission and the public a legal analysis supporting its conclusion that the process is consistent with section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA. Response: In prior responses to comments about IHA renewals (e.g., 84 FR 52464; October 02, 2019 and 85 FR 53342; August 28, 2020), NMFS has explained how the renewal process, as implemented, is consistent with the statutory requirements contained in section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, provides additional efficiencies beyond the use of abbreviated notices, and, further, promotes NMFS’ goals of improving conservation of marine mammals and increasing efficiency in the MMPA compliance process. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:48 Feb 19, 2021 Jkt 253001 Therefore, we intend to continue implementing the renewal process. Preliminary Determinations The construction activities proposed by the Navy are identical or nearly identical to those analyzed in the initial IHA, as are the method of taking and the effects of the action (though the amount of proposed authorized take is notably lower). The potential effects of the Navy’s activities are limited to Level A harassment and Level B harassment in the form of auditory injury and behavioral disturbance. In analyzing the effects of the activities in the 2019 IHA, NMSF determined that the Navy’s activities would have a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks and that the authorized take numbers of each species or stock were small relative to the relevant stocks (e.g., less than one percent of all stocks). The mitigation measures and monitoring and reporting requirements as described above are identical to the initial IHA. NMFS has preliminarily concluded that there is no new information suggesting that our analysis or findings should change from those reached for the initial IHA. Based on the information and analysis contained here and in the referenced documents, NMFS has determined the following: (1) The required mitigation measures will affect the least practicable impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat; (2) the authorized takes will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks; (3) the authorized takes represent small numbers of marine mammals relative to the affected stock abundances; (4) the Navy’s activities will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on taking for subsistence purposes as no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals are implicated by this action, and; (5) appropriate monitoring and reporting requirements are included. Endangered Species Act 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 for endangered or threatened species. No incidental take of ESA-listed marine mammal species is expected to result from this activity, and none would be PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 authorized. Therefore, NMFS has determined that consultation under section 7 of the ESA is not required for this action. Proposed Renewal IHA and Request for Public Comment As a result of these preliminary determinations, NMFS proposes to issue a IHA renewal to the Navy for conducting in-water construction activities associated with the modification and expansion of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock 1 from the date of issuance through February 27, 2022, provided the previously described mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. A draft of the proposed and final 2019 IHA can be found at https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-constructionactivities. We request comment on our analyses, the proposed Renewal IHA, and any other aspect of this notice. Please include with your comments any supporting data or literature citations to help inform our final decision on the request for MMPA authorization. Dated: February 17, 2021. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–03507 Filed 2–19–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA877] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: NMFS Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group will meet to discuss seabird/fisheries interactions (vessel collisions), development of an Alaska coordinated strategic plan for reporting and monitoring fisheries interactions with birds listed under the Endangered Species Act, and an update on whether or not the short-tailed albatross is actually two distinct species. DATES: The meeting will be held on March 10, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Notices p.m., and on March 11, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Alaska Daylight Time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held virtually. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Krieger, 907–586–7650. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group formed as a result of the 2015 biological opinion on effects of the Fishery Management Plans for the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands groundfish fisheries on shorttailed albatross.1 The working group is tasked with reviewing information for mitigating effects of the groundfish and halibut fisheries on short-tailed albatross and other seabirds. The workgroup will hold a virtual meeting March 10 and 11, 2021. Meeting topics include seabird/fisheries interactions (vessel collisions), development of an Alaska coordinated strategic plan for reporting and monitoring fisheries interactions with birds listed under the Endangered Species Act, and update on whether or not the short-tailed albatross is actually two distinct species. For participation information and meeting agenda, please contact Joseph Krieger (joseph.krieger@noaa.gov). NMFS will keep the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (Council) apprised of the working group’s activities and any resulting recommendations for methods to reduce seabird bycatch. Any changes to seabird avoidance regulations are expected to follow the standard Council process. Special Accommodations Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Joseph Krieger, 907–586–7650, at least 5 working days prior to the meeting date. Dated: February 17, 2021. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–03515 Filed 2–19–21; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with NOTICES [Docket ID: DoD–2021–OS–0005] Manual for Courts-Martial; Proposed Amendments Joint Service Committee on Military Justice (JSC), DoD. AGENCY: 1 Available at: https://www.fws.gov/alaska/pages/ endangered-species-program/consultationendangered-species. 19:48 Feb 19, 2021 Jkt 253001 Pursuant to the authorities found in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice, the JSC is conducting its annual review of the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), United States. The JSC invites members of the public to suggest changes to the MCM. Please provide supporting rationale for any proposed changes. SUMMARY: Dated: February 16, 2021. Aaron T. Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2021–03454 Filed 2–19–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy [Docket ID: USN–2021–HQ–0002] DATES: Proposed changes must be received no later than April 23, 2021. Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records You may submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: DoD cannot receive written comments at this time due to the COVID–19 pandemic. Comments should be sent electronically to the docket listed above. Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above methods to ensure they are received, documented, and considered by the JSC. All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information. AGENCY: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Major Joy E. Hewitt, USAF, Executive Secretary, JSC, via phone at 240–612– 4820 or email at joy.hewitt.1@us.af.mil. The JSC public website is located at https://jsc.defense.gov. Pursuant to Executive Order 12473, ‘‘Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1984,’’ and Department of Defense Instruction 5500.17, ‘‘Role and Responsibilities of the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice (JSC) (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/550017_ 5C.PDF?ver=2018-02-21-074422-370),’’ the JSC is conducting its annual review of the MCM, United States. The committee invites members of the public to suggest changes to the MCM. Please provide supporting rationale for any proposed changes. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 Annual review of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States. ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10551 United States Marine Corps (USMC), Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Notice of a new system of records. The Department of the Navy is establishing a new System of Records entitled the Command Individual Risk and Resiliency System (CIRRAS) application. The CIRRAS application will be used by the USMC to enable Commanding Officers and Senior Enlisted Advisors to make informed and timely decisions on Force Preservation Risk Assessments, to optimize individual/unit readiness, and to facilitate enterprise-wide risk management. Individual data will assist commanders by quickly identifying those Marines or Service Members requiring immediate command attention. Trend analysis will assist USMC commanders to implement mitigation strategies to improve overall individual/unit readiness. These records will also be used as a management tool for statistical analysis, tracking, reporting, evaluating program effectiveness, and conducting research. DATES: This new system of records is effective upon publication; however, comments on the Routine Uses will be accepted on or before March 24, 2021. The Routine Uses are effective at the close of the comment period. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by any of the following methods: * Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. * Mail: DoD cannot receive written comments at this time due to the COVID–19 pandemic. Comments should be sent electronically to the docket listed above. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 33 (Monday, February 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10550-10551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03515]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA877]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Alaska 
Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird Working Group will 
meet to discuss seabird/fisheries interactions (vessel collisions), 
development of an Alaska coordinated strategic plan for reporting and 
monitoring fisheries interactions with birds listed under the 
Endangered Species Act, and an update on whether or not the short-
tailed albatross is actually two distinct species.

DATES: The meeting will be held on March 10, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 4:30

[[Page 10551]]

p.m., and on March 11, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Alaska Daylight 
Time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held virtually.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Krieger, 907-586-7650.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Seabird 
Working Group formed as a result of the 2015 biological opinion on 
effects of the Fishery Management Plans for the Gulf of Alaska and 
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands groundfish fisheries on short-tailed 
albatross.\1\ The working group is tasked with reviewing information 
for mitigating effects of the groundfish and halibut fisheries on 
short-tailed albatross and other seabirds. The workgroup will hold a 
virtual meeting March 10 and 11, 2021. Meeting topics include seabird/
fisheries interactions (vessel collisions), development of an Alaska 
coordinated strategic plan for reporting and monitoring fisheries 
interactions with birds listed under the Endangered Species Act, and 
update on whether or not the short-tailed albatross is actually two 
distinct species. For participation information and meeting agenda, 
please contact Joseph Krieger ([email protected]).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Available at: https://www.fws.gov/alaska/pages/endangered-species-program/consultation-endangered-species.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NMFS will keep the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council 
(Council) apprised of the working group's activities and any resulting 
recommendations for methods to reduce seabird bycatch. Any changes to 
seabird avoidance regulations are expected to follow the standard 
Council process.

Special Accommodations

    Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Joseph Krieger, 907-586-7650, at least 5 working 
days prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: February 17, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03515 Filed 2-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.