Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Northeast Skate Complex; Withdrawal of the Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 5, 64186 [2021-25094]
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64186
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 17, 2021 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XB541]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Northeast Skate Complex;
Withdrawal of the Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for Amendment 5
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of withdrawal.
AGENCY:
The New England Fishery
Management Council initiated
development of Amendment 5 to the
Northeast Skate Complex Fishery
Management Plan in 2016. A notice of
intent to develop an environmental
impact statement for this action was
published in January 2017, followed by
a second notice and round of scoping in
late December 2020. However, in
September 2021, the Council voted to
discontinue work on Amendment 5 and
pursue the remaining alternatives
through newly initiated Framework
Adjustment 9. The remaining
alternatives in this framework are
largely administrative and not expected
to have significant impacts on the
fishery or human environment.
Therefore, NMFS is withdrawing the
notice of intent and no longer intends to
prepare an environmental impact
statement.
SUMMARY:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
17:11 Nov 16, 2021
Jkt 256001
Dated: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–25094 Filed 11–16–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Cynthia Ferrio, Fishery Policy Analyst,
(978) 281–9180.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2016,
the New England Fishery Management
Council initiated development of
Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate
Complex Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) to consider limited access in the
skate fishery. The Council published a
notice of intent (NOI) to develop an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for this amendment, in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act,
to analyze the impacts of any proposed
management measures (82 FR 825;
January 4, 2017). Throughout this initial
development and scoping process, the
range of proposed alternatives changed.
A second NOI was published (85 FR
84304; December 28, 2020), and
additional scoping hearings were held
in 2021.
The comments received throughout
the development process during both
rounds of scoping hearings, and at
VerDate Sep<11>2014
multiple Skate Advisory Panel, Skate
Committee, and Council meetings, were
mixed in support of, and opposition to,
limiting access to the skate fishery.
Ultimately, after careful consideration of
the public comments received and
extensive examination of the
alternatives analyzed, the Council voted
to no longer develop limited access
alternatives in Amendment 5 at its April
2021 meeting. Further, at its meeting in
September 2021, the Council voted to
discontinue work on Amendment 5
completely and to pursue the remaining
alternatives addressing changes to
permit provisions and clarifying the
FMP goals and objectives through the
newly initiated Framework Adjustment
9. Framework 9 is expected to be
implemented in mid-2022.
These remaining alternatives that will
be considered in Framework 9 are
largely administrative and are not
expected to have significant impacts on
the fishery or affected environment.
Consequently, the Council and NMFS
have determined that it is not necessary
to prepare an EIS for Framework 9 and
will instead continue development of
the remaining framework alternatives
with an appropriate NEPA document.
Therefore, NMFS is informing the
public that work on Amendment 5 is
complete, and that we are withdrawing
the NOI and draft EIS from further
consideration.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XB512
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
Advisory Panel
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; solicitation of
nominations.
AGENCY:
NMFS solicits nominations
for the Atlantic Highly Migratory
Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP).
NMFS consults with and considers the
comments and views of the HMS AP
when preparing and implementing
Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) or
FMP amendments for Atlantic tunas,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
swordfish, sharks, and billfish.
Nominations are being sought to fill
approximately one-third (12) of the seats
on the HMS AP for 3-year
appointments. Individuals with
definable interests in the recreational
and commercial fishing and related
industries, environmental community,
academia, and non-governmental
organizations are considered for
membership on the HMS AP. NMFS
also intends to fill an additional
vacancy on the HMS AP for the
remainder of a term that expires on
December 31, 2023.
DATES: Nominations must be received
on or before December 17, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit
nominations and requests for the
Advisory Panel Statement of
Organization, Practices, and Procedures
by email to HMSAP.Nominations@
noaa.gov. Include in the subject line the
following identifier: ‘‘HMS AP
Nominations.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Cooper at (301) 427–8503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic
HMS fisheries are managed under the
dual authority of both the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and the
Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA;
16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.). The 2006
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery
Management Plan (2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP) and its amendments are
implemented by regulations at 50 CFR
part 635.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires
the establishment of an AP for each
FMP for Atlantic HMS, i.e., tunas,
swordfish, billfish, and sharks. 16
U.S.C. 1854(g)(1)(A)–(B). Since the
inception of the AP in 1998, NMFS has
consulted with and considered the
comments and views of AP members
when preparing and implementing
Atlantic HMS FMPs or FMP
amendments. In this notice, NMFS
solicits nominations for the Atlantic
HMS AP. Nominations are being sought
to fill approximately one-third (12) of
the seats on the HMS AP for 3-year
appointments. Individuals with
definable interests in the recreational
and commercial fishing and related
industries, environmental community,
academia, and non-governmental
organizations are considered for
membership on the HMS AP as
described below. NMFS also intends to
select a nominee to fill an additional
academic vacancy on the HMS AP for
the remainder of a term that expires on
December 31, 2023. This vacancy is the
result of a sitting HMS AP member
E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM
17NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 64186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25094]
[[Page 64186]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB541]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Northeast Skate Complex; Withdrawal of the Notice of Intent
To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 5
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of withdrawal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council initiated
development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery
Management Plan in 2016. A notice of intent to develop an environmental
impact statement for this action was published in January 2017,
followed by a second notice and round of scoping in late December 2020.
However, in September 2021, the Council voted to discontinue work on
Amendment 5 and pursue the remaining alternatives through newly
initiated Framework Adjustment 9. The remaining alternatives in this
framework are largely administrative and not expected to have
significant impacts on the fishery or human environment. Therefore,
NMFS is withdrawing the notice of intent and no longer intends to
prepare an environmental impact statement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Ferrio, Fishery Policy
Analyst, (978) 281-9180.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2016, the New England Fishery Management
Council initiated development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate
Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to consider limited access in the
skate fishery. The Council published a notice of intent (NOI) to
develop an environmental impact statement (EIS) for this amendment, in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, to analyze the
impacts of any proposed management measures (82 FR 825; January 4,
2017). Throughout this initial development and scoping process, the
range of proposed alternatives changed. A second NOI was published (85
FR 84304; December 28, 2020), and additional scoping hearings were held
in 2021.
The comments received throughout the development process during
both rounds of scoping hearings, and at multiple Skate Advisory Panel,
Skate Committee, and Council meetings, were mixed in support of, and
opposition to, limiting access to the skate fishery. Ultimately, after
careful consideration of the public comments received and extensive
examination of the alternatives analyzed, the Council voted to no
longer develop limited access alternatives in Amendment 5 at its April
2021 meeting. Further, at its meeting in September 2021, the Council
voted to discontinue work on Amendment 5 completely and to pursue the
remaining alternatives addressing changes to permit provisions and
clarifying the FMP goals and objectives through the newly initiated
Framework Adjustment 9. Framework 9 is expected to be implemented in
mid-2022.
These remaining alternatives that will be considered in Framework 9
are largely administrative and are not expected to have significant
impacts on the fishery or affected environment. Consequently, the
Council and NMFS have determined that it is not necessary to prepare an
EIS for Framework 9 and will instead continue development of the
remaining framework alternatives with an appropriate NEPA document.
Therefore, NMFS is informing the public that work on Amendment 5 is
complete, and that we are withdrawing the NOI and draft EIS from
further consideration.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25094 Filed 11-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
