Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska, 72046-72048 [2023-23084]

Download as PDF 72046 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2023 / Notices the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Timely notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation subject to sanction. Notification to Interested Parties We are issuing and publishing the results in accordance with sections 751(c), 752(c), and 771(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218. Dated: October 10, 2023. Lisa W. Wang, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Scope of the Orders IV. History of the Orders V. Legal Framework VI. Discussion of the Issues 1. Likelihood of Continuation or Recurrence of Dumping 2. Magnitude of the Margins of Dumping Likely to Prevail VII. Final Results of Expedited Sunset Reviews VIII. Recommendation [FR Doc. 2023–22881 Filed 10–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD381] Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for information. AGENCY: NOAA is beginning the process to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Alaska state waters to help sustainably advance invertebrate (e.g., shellfish, sea cucumber) and seaweed (e.g., macroalgae, kelp) aquaculture, in partnership with the State of Alaska. NOAA requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, or suggestions from the public to support the identification of AOAs in Alaska state waters, including siting parameters that can be used to select potential study areas for further analysis. Please lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:48 Oct 18, 2023 Jkt 262001 respond to the questions listed in the section, as appropriate. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 18, 2023. Two webinar-based listening sessions are scheduled for Alaska. 1. November 14, 2023, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (AKST) Alaska. 2. November 15, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (AKST) Alaska. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2023–0113, 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–2023–0113 in the Search box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written information to Jon Kurland, Regional Administrator for Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Records Office. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. • Webinar links: Links and toll-free phone numbers for each webinar can be found at: https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/requestinformation-identifying-aquacultureopportunity-areas-alaska. 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. Responses to this request are voluntary. Respondents need not reply to all questions. 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. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Please note that the U.S. Government will not pay for any costs that you may incur in responding to this Request for Information (RFI), or for the use of any information contained in the response. The documents and information submitted in response to this RFI become the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alicia Bishop, 907–586–7724, nmfs.akr.aoainfo@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An AOA is a defined geographic area that NOAA SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 has evaluated through both spatial analysis and a programmatic National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and determined to be environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate to support multiple commercial aquaculture operations. On June 1, 2023, NOAA announced the beginning of the process to identify AOAs in partnership with the State of Alaska in Alaska state waters. This is the beginning of a multiyear process in which NOAA and the State of Alaska will work to analyze locations and identify AOAs in Alaska state waters to help sustainably advance invertebrate (e.g., shellfish, sea cucumber) and seaweed (e.g., macroalgae, kelp) aquaculture. NOAA will not consider finfish aquaculture during identification of AOAs in Alaska because it is prohibited by state law. NOAA has directives to preserve ocean sustainability and facilitate domestic aquaculture in the U.S., including through the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Policy, and the Executive Order 1321, Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (May 7, 2020). NOAA has a variety of proven science-based tools and strategies that can support these directives and help communities thoughtfully consider how and where to sustainably develop aquaculture that will complement wild-capture fisheries, working waterfronts, and our nation’s seafood processing and distribution infrastructure. The areas identified as AOAs will have characteristics that are expected to be able to support multiple aquaculture farm sites of varying types; however, all portions of the AOA may not be appropriate for aquaculture or for all types of aquaculture. Identifying AOAs is an opportunity to use the best available science, which includes Indigenous Knowledge, and supports the ‘‘triple bottom line’’ of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This approach has been refined and utilized widely within states and by other countries with robust, sustainable aquaculture sectors. The Secretary of Commerce will identify AOAs in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, other appropriate Federal officials, and appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in coordination with appropriate State and Tribal governments. E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2023 / Notices NOAA held a 60-day public comment period in 2020 (85 FR 67519, October 23, 2020) to collect input on where in the country to focus the science-based, inclusive process to identify AOAs. During that comment period, NOAA received letters of support from individuals, industry, Alaska Native organizations, state agencies, and the state legislature to begin the process in Alaska state waters. NOAA cannot conduct spatial modeling on the scale of the entire coast of Alaska, and will narrow down to study areas that will be the focus moving forward. This will be done using a combination of spatial mapping, scientific review, public input gathered through this RFI, and other relevant information. NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science will use public input and the best available data, which includes Indigenous Knowledge, to account for key environmental, economic, social, and cultural considerations to identify areas that may support sustainable aquaculture development. NOAA will then combine those data with input from other State and Federal agencies, Fishery Management Councils, Marine Fisheries Commissions, Alaska Native Tribes and organizations, and the general public to identify areas that will be considered in more depth through the NEPA process. Through this notice, NOAA is requesting data, comments, views, information, analysis, or suggestions from the public to support the identification of AOAs in Alaska state waters, including siting parameters that can be used to select potential study areas for further analysis. The public input provided in response to this request for information will inform NOAA as it works with Federal, State, and Local agencies, appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in coordination with appropriate Alaska Native Tribes and organizations to identify AOAs. Additional opportunities for public input will be provided during the NEPA process. NOAA may use the information received through this notice in the NEPA process. The information could inform the development of potential NEPA alternatives, such as different locations, different aquaculture types in each location (e.g., seaweed in one location, shellfish in another location), and different configurations of farm locations or farming gear. NOAA expects to publish a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a programmatic NEPA document. Public notices announcing the NOI and announcing the availability of a draft NEPA document will provide future opportunities for public comment VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:48 Oct 18, 2023 Jkt 262001 on the identification of AOAs in Alaska state waters. AOA identification is a planning process, and does not result in areas permitted for aquaculture. Future aquaculture operations proposed within an AOA would be subject to the same Federal and State permitting and authorization requirements as an aquaculture operation proposed anywhere else and would be required to comply with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations. Site-specific environmental surveys may be required for the permitting process. Additional NEPA analysis beyond that completed for identification of AOA(s) may be necessary as a part of permitting and authorization processes for individual operations. Additional information on identifying AOAs in Alaska, including frequently asked questions, is available on NOAA’s website at: https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/ aquaculture/identifying-aquacultureopportunity-areas-alaska. Request for Information NOAA requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, or suggestions from the public to support the identification of AOAs in Alaska state waters, including siting parameters that can be used to select potential study areas for further analysis. NOAA proposes using the following parameters to select study areas in Alaska state waters: a. State waters within a 25-mile (40kilometer) radius of coastal community population centers (based on 2010 census data) as a proxy for needed infrastructure to support aquaculture development in Alaska. b. State waters that do not regularly experience significant sea ice cover (based on the 10 year aggregate maximum sea ice cover reported by the U.S. National Ice Center). Figures showing the potential AOA study areas that would result from use of these parameters can be found on the NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Alaska AOA study area website: https://coastalscience. noaa.gov/news/alaska-aquacultureopportunity-areas/. These parameters are proposed starting points, from which NOAA will select study areas using a combination of spatial mapping approaches, scientific review, public input, Indigenous Knowledge, and any other relevant information. Specifically, NOAA is soliciting information and feedback on: 1. Are the preliminary parameters (noted above) useful? Are there other PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72047 parameters NOAA should consider in identifying initial study areas for the aquaculture siting analysis? Are there other distances from population centers/ local infrastructure that should be considered, and why? 2. Are there size limitations NOAA should consider for AOAs in Alaska? How many farms should fit within an AOA? Should the size of AOAs be aligned with state economic development goals for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture? 3. Are there specific locations within Alaska state waters that should be considered or avoided for AOAs? Please be as specific as possible and include latitude and longitude or defining landmarks. Please indicate why such areas should be considered or avoided, for example, favorable biological parameters, water quality (e.g., nutrients or other constituents that might make an area favorable), proximity to infrastructure (e.g., ports, testing or processing facilities, or hatcheries that could supply seed for grow-out), relationship to other planned initiatives, etc. 4. Are there subsistence harvest locations, fishing areas, and other traditionally and culturally important locations or sacred sites that should be avoided? Is there available spatial data or geographic information system (GIS) layers, or a point of contact for these data or information? 5. Are there specific locations within Alaska state waters where the presence of aquaculture gear may overlap with sensitive habitats or biologically important areas for protected species (e.g., whales, sea otters, sea lions, etc.)? 6. Are there specific locations within Alaska state waters that should be avoided because of concerns about harmful algal blooms (HABs) or impaired water quality? 7. Is there ongoing environmental, economic, or social science research that would assist in the identification of AOAs in Alaska state waters? If so, please describe in as much detail as is available. 8. Is there information that may not be readily available or accessible online that would be useful for AOA planning processes in Alaska state waters? This includes spatial data or GIS layers representing subsistence, environmental, and socioeconomic considerations, or a point of contact for these data, for the following categories: a. Biophysical/oceanographic (ice cover, temperature, ocean acidification indices, wave climate, currents, bathymetry), b. Natural resources (minerals, energy resources, fishes and other aquatic E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1 72048 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 201 / Thursday, October 19, 2023 / Notices organisms, protected species and habitats, marine mammals, kelp beds, eelgrass beds, biodiversity), c. Social, historical, and cultural resources (cultural and subsistence harvest, community subsistence hunting, subsistence fishing, culturally important sites to encourage or avoid, shipwrecks), d. Government boundaries, e. Industry (fishing, energy production, transportation, communication cables), f. Military, g. Navigation, and h. Recreational resources (fishing, hunting, etc.). 9. Are there aquaculture species or gear considerations that may result in optimized growth in Alaska state waters? This might include (but is not limited to): species or aquaculture gear depth thresholds, water current thresholds, temperature thresholds, salinity thresholds, etc. Are there any species or gear not currently being used in Alaska state waters that you would like to see in the future? Do they extend any of these (or other) thresholds? Please be as specific as possible. 10. Is there any additional information NOAA should consider? When providing input, please specify: • The question number(s) you are responding to; and • Whether your comments are related to specific type(s) of aquaculture (macroalgae, invertebrates, or a combination of species). Responses to this request are voluntary. Respondents need not reply to all questions. Authority: E.O. 13921. Dated: October 12, 2023. Danielle Blacklock, Director, Office of Aquaculture, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2023–23084 Filed 10–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD374] lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Ocean Wind 1 Project Offshore of New Jersey National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of issuance of Letter of Authorization. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:48 Oct 18, 2023 Jkt 262001 In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to Ocean Wind, LLC (Ocean Wind), a subsidiary wholly owned by Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC (Orsted), for the taking of marine mammals incidental to the construction of the Ocean Wind 1 Project. DATES: The LOA is effective from October 13, 2023 through October 12, 2028. ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation are available online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/ incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelsey Potlock, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background The MMPA prohibits the ‘‘take’’ of marine mammals, with certain exceptions. Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made, regulations are promulgated (when applicable), and public notice and an opportunity for public comment are provided. An authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses (where relevant). If such findings are made, NMFS must prescribe the permissible methods of taking; ‘‘other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact’’ on the affected species or stocks and their habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and on the availability of the species or stocks for taking for certain subsistence uses (referred to as ‘‘mitigation’’); and requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such takings. The MMPA defines ‘‘take’’ to mean harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 mammal (16 U.S.C. 1362(13); 50 CFR 216.103). Level A harassment is defined as any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (16 U.S.C. 1362(18); 50 CFR 216.3). Level B harassment is defined as any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (16 U.S.C. 1362(18); 50 CFR 216.3). Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA and the implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 216, subpart I authorize NMFS to propose and, if appropriate, promulgate regulations and issue an associated LOA(s). NMFS promulgated regulations on September 13, 2023 (88 FR 62898) for the taking of marine mammals incidental to the construction of the Ocean Wind 1 Project offshore of New Jersey. The LOA authorizes Ocean Wind and those persons it authorizes or funds to conduct activities on its behalf to take marine mammals incidental to specified activities during the construction of the Project and requires them to implement mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements. Summary of Request On September 13, 2023, NMFS promulgated a final rule (88 FR 62898) responding to a request from Ocean Wind for authorization to take marine mammals (17 species comprising 18 stocks) by Level B harassment (all 18 stocks) and by Level A harassment (10 stocks) incidental to construction activities occurring in Federal and State waters off of New Jersey, specifically within and around the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lease Area OCS–A 0498 (Lease Area) and along 2 export cable routes to sea-toshore transition points (collectively referred to as the ‘‘Project Area’’), over the course of 5 years (October 13, 2023 through October 12, 2028). The activities covered under the final rule include: the installation of 98 wind turbine generators (WTGs) and 3 offshore substations (OSSs) on monopile foundations by impact pile driving; the installation and subsequent removal of nearshore temporary cofferdams and goal posts by vibratory pile driving at the cable landfall sites in Ocean County, New Jersey and Cape May County, New Jersey; high-resolution geophysical (HRG) marine site characterization E:\FR\FM\19OCN1.SGM 19OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 201 (Thursday, October 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72046-72048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23084]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD381]


Identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in Alaska

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

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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

SUMMARY: NOAA is beginning the process to identify Aquaculture 
Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Alaska state waters to help sustainably 
advance invertebrate (e.g., shellfish, sea cucumber) and seaweed (e.g., 
macroalgae, kelp) aquaculture, in partnership with the State of Alaska. 
NOAA requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, or 
suggestions from the public to support the identification of AOAs in 
Alaska state waters, including siting parameters that can be used to 
select potential study areas for further analysis. Please respond to 
the questions listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, as 
appropriate.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 18, 
2023.
    Two webinar-based listening sessions are scheduled for Alaska.
    1. November 14, 2023, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (AKST) Alaska.
    2. November 15, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (AKST) Alaska.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0113, 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-2023-0113 in the Search box. 
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter 
or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written information to Jon Kurland, Regional 
Administrator for Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Records Office. Mail 
comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
     Webinar links: Links and toll-free phone numbers for each 
webinar can be found at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/request-information-identifying-aquaculture-opportunity-areas-alaska.
    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. Responses to this request are voluntary. 
Respondents need not reply to all questions. 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. NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous).
    Please note that the U.S. Government will not pay for any costs 
that you may incur in responding to this Request for Information (RFI), 
or for the use of any information contained in the response. The 
documents and information submitted in response to this RFI become the 
property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alicia Bishop, 907-586-7724, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An AOA is a defined geographic area that 
NOAA has evaluated through both spatial analysis and a programmatic 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and determined to be 
environmentally, socially, and economically appropriate to support 
multiple commercial aquaculture operations. On June 1, 2023, NOAA 
announced the beginning of the process to identify AOAs in partnership 
with the State of Alaska in Alaska state waters. This is the beginning 
of a multi-year process in which NOAA and the State of Alaska will work 
to analyze locations and identify AOAs in Alaska state waters to help 
sustainably advance invertebrate (e.g., shellfish, sea cucumber) and 
seaweed (e.g., macroalgae, kelp) aquaculture. NOAA will not consider 
finfish aquaculture during identification of AOAs in Alaska because it 
is prohibited by state law.
    NOAA has directives to preserve ocean sustainability and facilitate 
domestic aquaculture in the U.S., including through the National 
Aquaculture Act of 1980, the NOAA Marine Aquaculture Policy, and the 
Executive Order 1321, Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and 
Economic Growth (May 7, 2020). NOAA has a variety of proven science-
based tools and strategies that can support these directives and help 
communities thoughtfully consider how and where to sustainably develop 
aquaculture that will complement wild-capture fisheries, working 
waterfronts, and our nation's seafood processing and distribution 
infrastructure.
    The areas identified as AOAs will have characteristics that are 
expected to be able to support multiple aquaculture farm sites of 
varying types; however, all portions of the AOA may not be appropriate 
for aquaculture or for all types of aquaculture. Identifying AOAs is an 
opportunity to use the best available science, which includes 
Indigenous Knowledge, and supports the ``triple bottom line'' of 
environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This approach has 
been refined and utilized widely within states and by other countries 
with robust, sustainable aquaculture sectors.
    The Secretary of Commerce will identify AOAs in consultation with 
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary 
of Agriculture, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency, other appropriate Federal 
officials, and appropriate Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in 
coordination with appropriate State and Tribal governments.

[[Page 72047]]

    NOAA held a 60-day public comment period in 2020 (85 FR 67519, 
October 23, 2020) to collect input on where in the country to focus the 
science-based, inclusive process to identify AOAs. During that comment 
period, NOAA received letters of support from individuals, industry, 
Alaska Native organizations, state agencies, and the state legislature 
to begin the process in Alaska state waters.
    NOAA cannot conduct spatial modeling on the scale of the entire 
coast of Alaska, and will narrow down to study areas that will be the 
focus moving forward. This will be done using a combination of spatial 
mapping, scientific review, public input gathered through this RFI, and 
other relevant information. NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean 
Science will use public input and the best available data, which 
includes Indigenous Knowledge, to account for key environmental, 
economic, social, and cultural considerations to identify areas that 
may support sustainable aquaculture development. NOAA will then combine 
those data with input from other State and Federal agencies, Fishery 
Management Councils, Marine Fisheries Commissions, Alaska Native Tribes 
and organizations, and the general public to identify areas that will 
be considered in more depth through the NEPA process. Through this 
notice, NOAA is requesting data, comments, views, information, 
analysis, or suggestions from the public to support the identification 
of AOAs in Alaska state waters, including siting parameters that can be 
used to select potential study areas for further analysis. The public 
input provided in response to this request for information will inform 
NOAA as it works with Federal, State, and Local agencies, appropriate 
Regional Fishery Management Councils, and in coordination with 
appropriate Alaska Native Tribes and organizations to identify AOAs. 
Additional opportunities for public input will be provided during the 
NEPA process.
    NOAA may use the information received through this notice in the 
NEPA process. The information could inform the development of potential 
NEPA alternatives, such as different locations, different aquaculture 
types in each location (e.g., seaweed in one location, shellfish in 
another location), and different configurations of farm locations or 
farming gear. NOAA expects to publish a notice of intent (NOI) to 
prepare a programmatic NEPA document. Public notices announcing the NOI 
and announcing the availability of a draft NEPA document will provide 
future opportunities for public comment on the identification of AOAs 
in Alaska state waters.
    AOA identification is a planning process, and does not result in 
areas permitted for aquaculture. Future aquaculture operations proposed 
within an AOA would be subject to the same Federal and State permitting 
and authorization requirements as an aquaculture operation proposed 
anywhere else and would be required to comply with all applicable 
Federal and State laws and regulations. Site-specific environmental 
surveys may be required for the permitting process. Additional NEPA 
analysis beyond that completed for identification of AOA(s) may be 
necessary as a part of permitting and authorization processes for 
individual operations.
    Additional information on identifying AOAs in Alaska, including 
frequently asked questions, is available on NOAA's website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/aquaculture/identifying-aquaculture-opportunity-areas-alaska.

Request for Information

    NOAA requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, or 
suggestions from the public to support the identification of AOAs in 
Alaska state waters, including siting parameters that can be used to 
select potential study areas for further analysis.
    NOAA proposes using the following parameters to select study areas 
in Alaska state waters:
    a. State waters within a 25-mile (40-kilometer) radius of coastal 
community population centers (based on 2010 census data) as a proxy for 
needed infrastructure to support aquaculture development in Alaska.
    b. State waters that do not regularly experience significant sea 
ice cover (based on the 10 year aggregate maximum sea ice cover 
reported by the U.S. National Ice Center).
    Figures showing the potential AOA study areas that would result 
from use of these parameters can be found on the NOAA's National 
Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Alaska AOA study area website: 
https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/news/alaska-aquaculture-opportunity-areas/.
    These parameters are proposed starting points, from which NOAA will 
select study areas using a combination of spatial mapping approaches, 
scientific review, public input, Indigenous Knowledge, and any other 
relevant information.
    Specifically, NOAA is soliciting information and feedback on:
    1. Are the preliminary parameters (noted above) useful? Are there 
other parameters NOAA should consider in identifying initial study 
areas for the aquaculture siting analysis? Are there other distances 
from population centers/local infrastructure that should be considered, 
and why?
    2. Are there size limitations NOAA should consider for AOAs in 
Alaska? How many farms should fit within an AOA? Should the size of 
AOAs be aligned with state economic development goals for shellfish and 
seaweed aquaculture?
    3. Are there specific locations within Alaska state waters that 
should be considered or avoided for AOAs? Please be as specific as 
possible and include latitude and longitude or defining landmarks. 
Please indicate why such areas should be considered or avoided, for 
example, favorable biological parameters, water quality (e.g., 
nutrients or other constituents that might make an area favorable), 
proximity to infrastructure (e.g., ports, testing or processing 
facilities, or hatcheries that could supply seed for grow-out), 
relationship to other planned initiatives, etc.
    4. Are there subsistence harvest locations, fishing areas, and 
other traditionally and culturally important locations or sacred sites 
that should be avoided? Is there available spatial data or geographic 
information system (GIS) layers, or a point of contact for these data 
or information?
    5. Are there specific locations within Alaska state waters where 
the presence of aquaculture gear may overlap with sensitive habitats or 
biologically important areas for protected species (e.g., whales, sea 
otters, sea lions, etc.)?
    6. Are there specific locations within Alaska state waters that 
should be avoided because of concerns about harmful algal blooms (HABs) 
or impaired water quality?
    7. Is there ongoing environmental, economic, or social science 
research that would assist in the identification of AOAs in Alaska 
state waters? If so, please describe in as much detail as is available.
    8. Is there information that may not be readily available or 
accessible online that would be useful for AOA planning processes in 
Alaska state waters? This includes spatial data or GIS layers 
representing subsistence, environmental, and socioeconomic 
considerations, or a point of contact for these data, for the following 
categories:
    a. Biophysical/oceanographic (ice cover, temperature, ocean 
acidification indices, wave climate, currents, bathymetry),
    b. Natural resources (minerals, energy resources, fishes and other 
aquatic

[[Page 72048]]

organisms, protected species and habitats, marine mammals, kelp beds, 
eelgrass beds, biodiversity),
    c. Social, historical, and cultural resources (cultural and 
subsistence harvest, community subsistence hunting, subsistence 
fishing, culturally important sites to encourage or avoid, shipwrecks),
    d. Government boundaries,
    e. Industry (fishing, energy production, transportation, 
communication cables),
    f. Military,
    g. Navigation, and
    h. Recreational resources (fishing, hunting, etc.).
    9. Are there aquaculture species or gear considerations that may 
result in optimized growth in Alaska state waters? This might include 
(but is not limited to): species or aquaculture gear depth thresholds, 
water current thresholds, temperature thresholds, salinity thresholds, 
etc. Are there any species or gear not currently being used in Alaska 
state waters that you would like to see in the future? Do they extend 
any of these (or other) thresholds? Please be as specific as possible.
    10. Is there any additional information NOAA should consider?
    When providing input, please specify:
     The question number(s) you are responding to; and
     Whether your comments are related to specific type(s) of 
aquaculture (macroalgae, invertebrates, or a combination of species).
    Responses to this request are voluntary. Respondents need not reply 
to all questions.
    Authority: E.O. 13921.

    Dated: October 12, 2023.
Danielle Blacklock,
Director, Office of Aquaculture, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-23084 Filed 10-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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