North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting, 4225-4226 [2022-01657]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 18 / Thursday, January 27, 2022 / Notices
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. When the
predicted number of individuals to be
taken is less than one third of the
species or stock abundance, the take is
considered to be of small numbers.
Additionally, other qualitative factors
may be considered in the analysis, such
as the temporal or spatial scale of the
activities.
NMFS proposes to authorize
incidental take (by Level B harassment
only) of 15 marine mammal species
(with 16 managed stocks). The total
amount of takes proposed for
authorization relative to the best
available population abundance is less
than 6 percent for all stocks (Table 9).
Therefore, NMFS preliminarily finds
that small numbers of marine mammals
may be taken relative to the estimated
overall population abundances for those
stocks.
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.
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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
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designated critical habitat. To ensure
ESA compliance for the issuance of
IHAs, NMFS Office of Protected
Resources (OPR) consults internally
whenever we propose to authorize take
for endangered or threatened species.
NMFS OPR is proposing to authorize
the incidental take of four species of
marine mammals which are listed under
the ESA, including the North Atlantic
right, fin, sei, and sperm whale, and has
determined that this activity falls within
the scope of activities analyzed in
NMFS GARFO’s programmatic
consultation regarding geophysical
surveys along the U.S. Atlantic coast in
the three Atlantic Renewable Energy
Regions (completed June 29, 2021;
revised September 2021). NMFS GARFO
concurred with this determination.
Proposed Authorization
As a result of these preliminary
determinations, NMFS proposes to issue
an IHA to Atlantic Shores authorizing
take, by Level B harassment incidental
to conducting marine site
characterization surveys off of New
Jersey and New York from April 20,
2022 through April 19, 2023, 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/national/
marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-other-energyactivities-renewable.
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 site
characterization 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 proposed IHA or a subsequent
Renewal IHA.
On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may
issue a one-time, one-year Renewal IHA
following notification 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 Description of
Proposed Activities section of this
notification is planned or (2) the
activities as described in the Description
of Proposed Activities section of this
notification 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
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4225
Dates and Duration section of this
notification, 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.
Dated: January 21, 2022.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–01557 Filed 1–26–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XB749]
North Pacific Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of web conference.
AGENCY:
The North Pacific Fishery
Management Council’s (Council)
Scallop Plan Team will meet February
16, 2022.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., Alaska Time.
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 18 / Thursday, January 27, 2022 / Notices
The meeting will be a web
conference. Join online through the link
at https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/
Details/2755.
Council address: North Pacific
Fishery Management Council, 1007 W
3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501–2252;
telephone: (907) 271–2809. Instructions
for attending the meeting via video
conference are given under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sarah Rheinsmith, Council staff; phone:
(907) 271–2809; email:
sarah.rheinsmith@noaa.gov. For
technical support, please contact our
admin Council staff, email:
npfmc.admin@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Agenda
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
The Council’s Scallop Plan Team will
update the status of the Alaska
weathervane scallop stocks and the
Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report, including
OFL/ABC recommendations for the
2022 fishing year. Additionally, there
will be discussion of 2021 survey
results, stock assessment development,
EFH updates, survey plans for 2022, a
review of research priorities, and other
business. The agenda is subject to
change, and the latest version will be
posted at https://meetings.npfmc.org/
Meeting/Details/2755 prior to the
meeting, along with meeting materials.
Connection Information
You can attend the meeting online
using a computer, tablet, or smart
phone; or by phone only. Connection
information will be posted online at:
https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/
Details/2755.
Public Comment
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Public comment letters will be
accepted and should be submitted
electronically to https://
meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/
2755.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 24, 2022.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–01657 Filed 1–26–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XB740]
Marine Mammals; File No. 26285
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
The Whale Museum, P.O. Box 924,
Friday Harbor, Washington 98250
(Jenny Atkinson, Responsible Party) has
applied in due form for a permit to
conduct research or enhancement on
marine mammals.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
comments must be received on or before
February 28, 2022.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review by
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on
the Applications and Permits for
Protected Species (APPS) home page,
https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then
selecting File No. 26285 from the list of
available applications. These documents
are also available upon written request
via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@
noaa.gov.
Written comments on this application
should be submitted via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
include File No. 26285 in the subject
line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request
via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@
noaa.gov. The request should set forth
the specific reasons why a hearing on
this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. or Courtney
Smith, Ph.D., (301) 427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
regulations governing the taking and
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), the regulations governing the
taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50
CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151
et seq.).
The applicant proposes to conduct
research for the Soundwatch Boater
Education Program in the in-land waters
SUMMARY:
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of Washington State to evaluate vessel
regulations and guidelines, characterize
vessel trends, and prevent vessel
disturbances to marine mammals. The
primary target species are Southern
Resident and transient killer whales
(Orcinus orca), but additional species
taken during research may include fin
(Balaenoptera physalus), gray
(Eschrichtius robustus), humpback
(Megaptera novaeangliae), and minke
(B. acutorostrata) whales; Dall’s
(Phocoenoides dalli) and harbor
(Phocoena phocoena) porpoises. Up to
50 whales of each killer whale stock and
20 individuals of each of the other
cetacean species may be taken annually
during vessel surveys including
photography, photo-identification,
video recording, and behavioral
observations. Five species of non-listed
pinnipeds may be unintentionally
harassed during research activities. See
the application for complete numbers of
animals requested by species. The
permit is requested for five years.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of the
application to the Marine Mammal
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors.
Dated: January 24, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–01600 Filed 1–26–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control
Program: Proposal To Find That
Louisiana Has Satisfied All Conditions
of Approval Placed on Its Coastal
Nonpoint Pollution Control Program
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce, and U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
AGENCY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4225-4226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01657]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB749]
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of web conference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council)
Scallop Plan Team will meet February 16, 2022.
DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., Alaska Time.
[[Page 4226]]
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be a web conference. Join online through
the link at https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/2755.
Council address: North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1007 W
3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252; telephone: (907) 271-2809.
Instructions for attending the meeting via video conference are given
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Rheinsmith, Council staff;
phone: (907) 271-2809; email: [email protected]. For technical
support, please contact our admin Council staff, email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Agenda
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
The Council's Scallop Plan Team will update the status of the
Alaska weathervane scallop stocks and the Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report, including OFL/ABC recommendations for the
2022 fishing year. Additionally, there will be discussion of 2021
survey results, stock assessment development, EFH updates, survey plans
for 2022, a review of research priorities, and other business. The
agenda is subject to change, and the latest version will be posted at
https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/2755 prior to the meeting,
along with meeting materials.
Connection Information
You can attend the meeting online using a computer, tablet, or
smart phone; or by phone only. Connection information will be posted
online at: https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/2755.
Public Comment
Public comment letters will be accepted and should be submitted
electronically to https://meetings.npfmc.org/Meeting/Details/2755.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 24, 2022.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01657 Filed 1-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
