Request for Information; Data for Marine Spatial Studies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 54302-54303 [2023-17119]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 153 / Thursday, August 10, 2023 / Notices
2023, and issuance of the final
environmental impact statement is
scheduled for spring of 2024, with a
Record of Decision issued soon
thereafter.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XD232]
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which helps guide the
development of the EIS. NMFS is
hosting public webinars for
informational purposes within the
scoping period. Information on the
webinar dates and times, and
instructions for connecting or calling
into the webinar will be posted at:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/
review-prey-increase-program-southernresident-killer-whales. Accommodations
for persons with disabilities are
available; accommodation requests
should be directed to Lance Kruzic (see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at
least 10 working days prior to the
webinar.
Public comments will not be accepted
during the webinars.
Request for Identification of Potential
Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed
Action
The primary purpose of the scoping
process is for the public to assist NMFS
in developing the EIS. NMFS requests
that the comments be specific. In
particular, we request information
regarding: any science that would be
relevant in this assessment; significant
issues; identification of impacts of
concern; review and input regarding
monitoring; possible alternatives that
meet the purpose and need; effects or
impacts to the human environment from
the proposed action or alternatives.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Decision Maker
Regional Administrator for the West
Coast Region, NMFS.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
If after publication of the Record of
Decision, we determine that all
requirements are met for NMFS’ NEPA
and ESA responsibilities, we may
continue to provide funding for the
production of additional prey for
SRKWs.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40
CFR parts 1500–1508; and Companion
Manual for NOAA Administrative Order
216–6A, 82 FR 4306.
Dated: August 7, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–17184 Filed 8–9–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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17:28 Aug 09, 2023
Jkt 259001
Request for Information; Data for
Marine Spatial Studies in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Ocean Service
(NOS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for information.
AGENCY:
NOAA’s National Ocean
Service (NOS), National Centers for
Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) in
partnership with the NOAA National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
(SEFSC) and Southeast Regional Office
(SERO), hereafter NOAA, are working to
build spatial science capacity in the
U.S. Caribbean Region. Through this
Request for Information, we are seeking
public input to identify coastal and
marine spatial data or other critical
information to inform marine spatial
analyses. Additionally, we are seeking
feedback on data shortcomings and gaps
that should be addressed prior to
commencing marine spatial studies. The
input we receive from meetings, as well
as the responses to the items listed in
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
of this document, will be used to inform
potential coastal and ocean
development activities in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), such
as development of renewable energy
facilities, aquaculture, and other blue
economy sectors.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
provide input in response to this
Request for Information through
September 30, 2023. Late-filed input
will be considered to the extent
practicable.
Verbal input will be accepted during
two public meetings to be held in St.
Croix, USVI on August 28–29 and in
San Juan, Puerto Rico on August 31–
September 1.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to provide input using one of the
following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit
electronic written public comments via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and enter
NOAA–NMFS–2023–0097 in the Search
box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments. All comments
received are a part of the public record
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on https://www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NOAA will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
Verbal submission: NOAA will accept
verbal input at two meetings. The first
meeting will be held at The Buccaneer
Resort in St. Croix, USVI on Monday
August 28, 2023 from 8:30am to 5:00pm
(AST) and Tuesday, August 29, 2023
from 8:30am to 12:00pm (AST). There
will be a registration window from
8:30am to 9:00am (AST) each day before
the start of the meeting. The second
meeting will be held at the Courtyard
Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort in San
Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday, August
31, 2023 from 8:30am to 5:00pm (AST)
and Friday, September 1, 2023 from
8:30am to 12:00pm (AST). There will be
a registration window from 8:30am to
9:00am (AST) each day before the start
of the meeting. Simultaneous language
interpretation in English and Spanish
will be provided in the Puerto Rico
meetings. Advanced registration is
requested for the meetings by
completing the registration form at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
1FAIpQLSf1B1QOXhd7EJEDflyokATW4ZGLHRloJLSzcntmopDjhd86A/
viewform?usp=sf link or by providing an
RSVP to Erica Rule at erica.rule@
noaa.gov. The registration deadline is
Monday, August 21, 2023.
Reports of meeting results will also be
published and made available to the
public in the weeks following the
meetings. If you are unable to provide
electronic written comments or
participate in the meetings, please
contact Jennifer Wright at
jennifer.wright@noaa.gov or (252)418–
1308 for alternative submission
methods.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Morris (james.morris@noaa.gov),
(252)666–7433.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NOAA is an agency of the United
States Federal government that works to
conserve and manage coastal and
marine ecosystems and resources. We
work to make fisheries sustainable and
productive, provide safe seafood to
consumers, conserve threatened and
endangered species and other protected
resources, and maintain healthy
ecosystems. NOAA has jurisdiction and
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 153 / Thursday, August 10, 2023 / Notices
responsibility for its trust marine
resources in the U.S. Caribbean as well
as significant interest in supporting the
resilience of coastal and marinedependent communities in the
Territories, and promoting equity and
environmental justice. For these
reasons, is it important for NOAA to
invest in research that informs marine
spatial studies in the Caribbean region,
including socioeconomic research that
ensures meaningful participation of
Caribbean communities and supports
equitable processes for planning and
siting of new and existing marine
industries and conservation areas.
NOAA has recently been involved in
planning for the expansion of offshore
aquaculture in U.S. Federal waters
through the development of
Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/
aquaculture/aquaculture-opportunityareas). NOAA has also been engaged
with the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM) to support siting
and environmental review for offshore
wind energy areas in U.S. Federal
waters (https://www.boem.gov/
renewable-energy) to ensure protection
of trust resources in any offshore
development activities.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Purpose of This Request for
Information
The purpose of this Request for
Information is to promote data
development to inform marine spatial
studies in Puerto Rico and the USVI,
with an emphasis on data needs for
offshore wind energy and aquaculture
development. In addition to input
received from the public through the
electronic and verbal submissions,
NOAA aims to inform the public about
its coastal and ocean planning processes
and capabilities, discuss the current
data available for each ocean sector (e.g.,
military, fisheries, industry, natural
resources), and gather ideas for other
data sources. NOAA hopes to come out
of the meetings with a strengthened
relationship with the public and a list
of data gaps and needs to pursue going
forward.
Specific Information Requested To
Inform Marine Spatial Studies in
Puerto Rico and USVI
Through this Request for Information,
NOAA seeks written public input to
inform the marine spatial studies in
Puerto Rico and USVI. NOAA is
particularly interested in receiving
input concerning the items listed below.
Responses to this Request for
Information are voluntary, and
respondents need not reply to items
listed. When providing input, please
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:28 Aug 09, 2023
Jkt 259001
specify if you are providing general
feedback on marine spatial studies and/
or if you are responding to one of the
specific item number(s) below:
(1) Specific datasets related to ocean
sectors, natural resources, and/or
human activities you recommend
NOAA use in marine spatial studies.
(2) Major concerns you have related to
use of any specific datasets that may be
used in marine spatial studies.
(3) Major concerns you have related to
the impacts of new marine industries on
ecological systems in Puerto Rico and/
or the USVI.
(4) Major concerns you have related to
the impact of new marine industries on
other ocean industries in Puerto Rico
and/or the USVI.
(5) Major concerns you have related to
gaps in scientific knowledge or data that
could impact marine spatial study
efforts.
(6) Specific data or information you
recommend NOAA or other partners
collect, if it is not currently available or
has not been previously collected.
(7) Ways in which NOAA can better
engage and collaborate with the public
and Territorial communities to promote
economic, social, and ecological
resilience as well as protect trust
resources.
Dated: August 4, 2023.
Samuel D Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–17119 Filed 8–9–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[0648–XD226]
Notice of Availability of Draft
Environmental Assessment on the
Effects of Issuing an Incidental Take
Permit No. 27106
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; availability of a Draft
Environmental Assessment; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces the
availability of the Draft Environmental
Assessment (EA) on the effects of
issuing an Incidental Take Permit (ITP)
(No. 27106) to North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries
(NCDMF), pursuant to the Endangered
SUMMARY:
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54303
Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended,
for the incidental take of ESA-listed sea
turtles and sturgeon associated with the
otherwise lawful gill net fisheries
operating in the inshore waters of North
Carolina. The duration of the requested
permit is 10 years. NMFS is requesting
comment on the draft EA.
DATES: Written comments must be
received at the appropriate address or
fax number (see ADDRESSES) on or before
September 11, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The EA is available for
download and review at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/
endangered-species-conservation/
incidental-take-permits under the
section heading Related Documents for
the Incidental Take Permit to North
Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
(Sea Turtles and Sturgeon). The draft EA
is also available upon written request
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
You may submit comments on this
document, identified by NOAA–NMFS–
2023–0098, by any of the following
methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and enter
NOAA–NMFS–2023–0098 in the Search
box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. 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 information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Celeste Stout, NMFS, Office of Protected
Resources at celeste.stout@noaa.gov,
301–427–8403; Wendy Piniak, NMFS,
Office of Protected Resources at
wendy.piniak@noaa.gov, 301–427–8402.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Publication of this notice begins the
official public comment period for this
draft EA. Per the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
purpose of the draft EA is to evaluate
the potential direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts caused by the
issuance of Permit No. 27106 to NCDMF
for the incidental take of ESA-listed sea
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 153 (Thursday, August 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54302-54303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17119]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD232]
Request for Information; Data for Marine Spatial Studies in
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Ocean
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for
Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) in partnership with the NOAA National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center
(SEFSC) and Southeast Regional Office (SERO), hereafter NOAA, are
working to build spatial science capacity in the U.S. Caribbean Region.
Through this Request for Information, we are seeking public input to
identify coastal and marine spatial data or other critical information
to inform marine spatial analyses. Additionally, we are seeking
feedback on data shortcomings and gaps that should be addressed prior
to commencing marine spatial studies. The input we receive from
meetings, as well as the responses to the items listed in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document, will be used to
inform potential coastal and ocean development activities in Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), such as development of
renewable energy facilities, aquaculture, and other blue economy
sectors.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to provide input in response to
this Request for Information through September 30, 2023. Late-filed
input will be considered to the extent practicable.
Verbal input will be accepted during two public meetings to be held
in St. Croix, USVI on August 28-29 and in San Juan, Puerto Rico on
August 31-September 1.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to provide input using one of
the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit electronic written public comments
via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and enter NOAA-NMFS-2023-0097 in the Search box. Click on the
``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach
your comments. All comments received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public viewing on https://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
Verbal submission: NOAA will accept verbal input at two meetings.
The first meeting will be held at The Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix,
USVI on Monday August 28, 2023 from 8:30am to 5:00pm (AST) and Tuesday,
August 29, 2023 from 8:30am to 12:00pm (AST). There will be a
registration window from 8:30am to 9:00am (AST) each day before the
start of the meeting. The second meeting will be held at the Courtyard
Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday,
August 31, 2023 from 8:30am to 5:00pm (AST) and Friday, September 1,
2023 from 8:30am to 12:00pm (AST). There will be a registration window
from 8:30am to 9:00am (AST) each day before the start of the meeting.
Simultaneous language interpretation in English and Spanish will be
provided in the Puerto Rico meetings. Advanced registration is
requested for the meetings by completing the registration form at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1B1QOXhd7EJEDflyok-ATW4ZGLHRloJLSzcntmopDjhd86A/viewform?usp=sf link or by providing an
RSVP to Erica Rule at [email protected]. The registration deadline is
Monday, August 21, 2023.
Reports of meeting results will also be published and made
available to the public in the weeks following the meetings. If you are
unable to provide electronic written comments or participate in the
meetings, please contact Jennifer Wright at [email protected] or
(252)418-1308 for alternative submission methods.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Morris ([email protected]),
(252)666-7433.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NOAA is an agency of the United States Federal government that
works to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and
resources. We work to make fisheries sustainable and productive,
provide safe seafood to consumers, conserve threatened and endangered
species and other protected resources, and maintain healthy ecosystems.
NOAA has jurisdiction and
[[Page 54303]]
responsibility for its trust marine resources in the U.S. Caribbean as
well as significant interest in supporting the resilience of coastal
and marine-dependent communities in the Territories, and promoting
equity and environmental justice. For these reasons, is it important
for NOAA to invest in research that informs marine spatial studies in
the Caribbean region, including socioeconomic research that ensures
meaningful participation of Caribbean communities and supports
equitable processes for planning and siting of new and existing marine
industries and conservation areas.
NOAA has recently been involved in planning for the expansion of
offshore aquaculture in U.S. Federal waters through the development of
Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/aquaculture/aquaculture-opportunity-areas). NOAA has also been engaged
with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to support siting and
environmental review for offshore wind energy areas in U.S. Federal
waters (https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy) to ensure protection of
trust resources in any offshore development activities.
Purpose of This Request for Information
The purpose of this Request for Information is to promote data
development to inform marine spatial studies in Puerto Rico and the
USVI, with an emphasis on data needs for offshore wind energy and
aquaculture development. In addition to input received from the public
through the electronic and verbal submissions, NOAA aims to inform the
public about its coastal and ocean planning processes and capabilities,
discuss the current data available for each ocean sector (e.g.,
military, fisheries, industry, natural resources), and gather ideas for
other data sources. NOAA hopes to come out of the meetings with a
strengthened relationship with the public and a list of data gaps and
needs to pursue going forward.
Specific Information Requested To Inform Marine Spatial Studies in
Puerto Rico and USVI
Through this Request for Information, NOAA seeks written public
input to inform the marine spatial studies in Puerto Rico and USVI.
NOAA is particularly interested in receiving input concerning the items
listed below. Responses to this Request for Information are voluntary,
and respondents need not reply to items listed. When providing input,
please specify if you are providing general feedback on marine spatial
studies and/or if you are responding to one of the specific item
number(s) below:
(1) Specific datasets related to ocean sectors, natural resources,
and/or human activities you recommend NOAA use in marine spatial
studies.
(2) Major concerns you have related to use of any specific datasets
that may be used in marine spatial studies.
(3) Major concerns you have related to the impacts of new marine
industries on ecological systems in Puerto Rico and/or the USVI.
(4) Major concerns you have related to the impact of new marine
industries on other ocean industries in Puerto Rico and/or the USVI.
(5) Major concerns you have related to gaps in scientific knowledge
or data that could impact marine spatial study efforts.
(6) Specific data or information you recommend NOAA or other
partners collect, if it is not currently available or has not been
previously collected.
(7) Ways in which NOAA can better engage and collaborate with the
public and Territorial communities to promote economic, social, and
ecological resilience as well as protect trust resources.
Dated: August 4, 2023.
Samuel D Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17119 Filed 8-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
