Request for Information on the NOAA Space Weather Scales (SWS), 46072-46073 [2024-11565]

Download as PDF 46072 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 28, 2024 / Notices numbers of each species or stock were small relative to the relevant stocks (e.g., less than one-third the abundance of all stocks). The mitigation measures and monitoring and reporting requirements as described above are identical to the initial IHA. NMFS has 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 effect 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) Chevron’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. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES National Environmental Policy Act To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216–6A, NMFS must review our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an IHA renewal) with respect to potential impacts on the human environment. This action is consistent with categories of activities identified in Categorical Exclusion B4 (incidental take authorizations with no anticipated serious injury or mortality) of the Companion Manual for NAO 216–6A, which do not individually or cumulatively have the potential for significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for which we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS determined that the issuance of the initial IHA qualified to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review. NMFS has determined that the application of this categorical exclusion remains appropriate for this renewal IHA. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 May 24, 2024 Jkt 262001 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 species is authorized or expected to result from this activity. Therefore, NMFS has determined that formal consultation under section 7 of the ESA is not required for this action. Renewal NMFS has issued a renewal IHA to Chevron for the take of marine mammals incidental to conducting pile extraction activities in San Francisco Bay from June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025. Dated: May 21, 2024. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and considered by the Department of Commerce. 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. All comments received are a part of the public record and may be posted for public viewing without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. The Department will accept anonymous comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Macpherson, NOAA, 7220 NW 101st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64153, amy.macpherson@noaa.gov, or 816– 287–1344 NOAA introduced the SWS in 1999 to communicate to the public current and future space weather conditions and possible effects on people and systems. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE However, space weather capabilities, National Oceanic and Atmospheric user base, and user needs have grown Administration and changed dramatically over the last two decades, and the SWS are [RTID 0648–XV199] challenged in supporting the growing stakeholder needs. In December 2023, Request for Information on the NOAA the White House Office of Science and Space Weather Scales (SWS) Technology Policy’s National Science AGENCY: National Weather Service and Technology Council published the (NWS), National Oceanic and Implementation Plan for the National Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Space Weather Strategy and Action ACTION: Notice; request for information. Plan. One of the actions directed the SUMMARY: The Space Weather Prediction agencies to ‘‘Update and expand, as appropriate, the NOAA space weather Center (SWPC) within NOAA NWS scales. NOAA scales should be updated seeks information from interested and expanded with a focus on parties regarding a possible revision to the Space Weather Scales (SWS), which forecasting impacts and specifying how are issued to communicate to the public space weather will differentially affect systems, industries, sectors, or regions.’’ current and future space weather NOAA is undertaking a revision to the conditions and possible effects on SWS and through this request for people and systems. information (RFI) is soliciting public DATES: Submit written comments on or input to gather feedback from a wide before July 31, 2024. range of stakeholders, including ADDRESSES: The public may submit representatives from industry, written comments on issues addressed academia, other relevant organizations in this notification by either of the and institutions, and the general public. following methods: The public input provided in response Electronic Submission: Submit all to this RFI will inform NOAA in the electronic public comments via the scales revision process. Current NOAA Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit Space Weather Scale descriptions can https://www.regulations.gov and type be found at: https://www.swpc. ‘‘NOAA–NWS–2024–0069’’ in the noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Search box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required fields, and Discussion Points to Inform the SWS enter or attach your comments. Revision Mail: Submit written comments to NOAA seeks input into revising the Amy Macpherson, NOAA, 7220 NW space weather scales with discussion on 101st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64153. [FR Doc. 2024–11533 Filed 5–24–24; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 28, 2024 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES the following points, to the extent feasible: 1. Articulate what NOAA’s space weather scales are used and describe how are they used in missions and inform sector operations. If there are other uses of the scales, please describe. 2. Please discuss the benefits of using the NOAA’s space weather scales and how they are useful. Include scenarios and situations of how the space weather scales are useful for operators or how they are useful in decision-making. 3. Describe challenges or difficulties in using the space weather scales. Please include information regarding the content, context, and information provided by the scales. 4. Provide suggested changes to the space weather scales including articulating what aspects could be improved. Consider how the space weather scales are communicated and provide suggestions for how scales communication could be improved. In addition, discuss the impact to your mission if the scales were to change. 5. Offer ideas for developing a new space weather scale(s). Include what phenomenon should be captured by a potential new scale(s), discuss how thresholds for a potential new scale(s) would be determined, and provide some scenarios on how a new scale(s) would be used by the community. Please note that this is an RFI only. In accordance with the implementing regulations of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), specifically 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4), this general solicitation is exempt from the PRA. Facts or opinions submitted in response to general solicitations of comments from the public, published in the Federal Register or other publications, regardless of the form or format thereof, provided that no person is required to supply specific information pertaining to the commenter, other than that necessary for self-identification, as a condition of the agency’s full consideration, are not generally considered information collections and therefore not subject to the PRA. Dated: May 21, 2024. Michael Farrar, Director, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service. [FR Doc. 2024–11565 Filed 5–24–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KE–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 May 24, 2024 Jkt 262001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NWS Fire Weather Social and Behavioral Sciences Research The Department of Commerce will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice. We invite the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on Feb. 15, 2024 during a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. Agency: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. Title: NWS Fire Weather Social and Behavioral Sciences Research. OMB Control Number: 0648–XXXX. Form Number(s): None. Type of Request: Regular (New information collection). Number of Respondents: 2,140. Average Hours Per Response: Survey: 15 minutes; Focus Groups: 2 hours. Total Annual Burden Hours: 605 hours. Needs and Uses: This is a request for a new collection of information. The data collection is sponsored by DOC/NOAA/National Weather Service (NWS)/Analyze, Forecast, and Support Office (AFS), National Fire Weather Program. Under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022, Congress charged NOAA/NWS to improve (a) Hurricane intensity and track forecasting, including through deployment of unmanned ocean observing platforms and enhanced data assimilation; (B) precipitation and flood prediction, forecasting, and mitigation capabilities; and (C) wildfire research, prediction, detection, forecasting, monitoring, data management, and communication and engagement. Based on this directive, the NWS is conducting this project to improve decision support services for fire weather products and services. By using social science methods and risk communication PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46073 expertise, the NWS seeks to identify how probabilistic weather information can most effectively influence firerelated decision-making to protect lives and property and enhance the economy. This data collection will include an online survey and virtual focus groups. The survey sample will be a nonrepresentative panel that will draw primarily from the Western, Southern Plains, and Southeastern portions of the United States. The focus groups will be conducted with Public Information Officers and Fire Weather Practitioners at the national, regional, state, and local levels based on contacts known to the NWS. The insights and findings derived from this data collection will be used to develop Impact Decision Support Services’ products and messages. This is a new data collection and currently there are no changes to the collection. Affected Public: Individuals, State, Local, or Tribal government. Frequency: One-time collection. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. This information collection request may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view the Department of Commerce collections currently under review by OMB. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function and entering the title of the collection. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–11660 Filed 5–24–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KE–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD820] Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys Off the Coast of Delaware National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46072-46073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11565]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XV199]


Request for Information on the NOAA Space Weather Scales (SWS)

AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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

SUMMARY: The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) within NOAA NWS 
seeks information from interested parties regarding a possible revision 
to the Space Weather Scales (SWS), which are issued to communicate to 
the public current and future space weather conditions and possible 
effects on people and systems.

DATES: Submit written comments on or before July 31, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The public may submit written comments on issues addressed 
in this notification by either of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit https://www.regulations.gov and 
type ``NOAA-NWS-2024-0069'' in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Mail: Submit written comments to Amy Macpherson, NOAA, 7220 NW 
101st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64153.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and 
considered by the Department of Commerce. 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. All comments received are 
a part of the public record and may be posted for public viewing 
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. The Department will 
accept anonymous comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Macpherson, NOAA, 7220 NW 101st 
Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64153, [email protected], or 816-287-
1344

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA introduced the SWS in 1999 to 
communicate to the public current and future space weather conditions 
and possible effects on people and systems. However, space weather 
capabilities, user base, and user needs have grown and changed 
dramatically over the last two decades, and the SWS are challenged in 
supporting the growing stakeholder needs. In December 2023, the White 
House Office of Science and Technology Policy's National Science and 
Technology Council published the Implementation Plan for the National 
Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan. One of the actions directed the 
agencies to ``Update and expand, as appropriate, the NOAA space weather 
scales. NOAA scales should be updated and expanded with a focus on 
forecasting impacts and specifying how space weather will 
differentially affect systems, industries, sectors, or regions.''
    NOAA is undertaking a revision to the SWS and through this request 
for information (RFI) is soliciting public input to gather feedback 
from a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from 
industry, academia, other relevant organizations and institutions, and 
the general public. The public input provided in response to this RFI 
will inform NOAA in the scales revision process. Current NOAA Space 
Weather Scale descriptions can be found at: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Discussion Points to Inform the SWS Revision

    NOAA seeks input into revising the space weather scales with 
discussion on

[[Page 46073]]

the following points, to the extent feasible:
    1. Articulate what NOAA's space weather scales are used and 
describe how are they used in missions and inform sector operations. If 
there are other uses of the scales, please describe.
    2. Please discuss the benefits of using the NOAA's space weather 
scales and how they are useful. Include scenarios and situations of how 
the space weather scales are useful for operators or how they are 
useful in decision-making.
    3. Describe challenges or difficulties in using the space weather 
scales. Please include information regarding the content, context, and 
information provided by the scales.
    4. Provide suggested changes to the space weather scales including 
articulating what aspects could be improved. Consider how the space 
weather scales are communicated and provide suggestions for how scales 
communication could be improved. In addition, discuss the impact to 
your mission if the scales were to change.
    5. Offer ideas for developing a new space weather scale(s). Include 
what phenomenon should be captured by a potential new scale(s), discuss 
how thresholds for a potential new scale(s) would be determined, and 
provide some scenarios on how a new scale(s) would be used by the 
community.
    Please note that this is an RFI only. In accordance with the 
implementing regulations of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
specifically 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4), this general solicitation is exempt 
from the PRA. Facts or opinions submitted in response to general 
solicitations of comments from the public, published in the Federal 
Register or other publications, regardless of the form or format 
thereof, provided that no person is required to supply specific 
information pertaining to the commenter, other than that necessary for 
self-identification, as a condition of the agency's full consideration, 
are not generally considered information collections and therefore not 
subject to the PRA.

    Dated: May 21, 2024.
Michael Farrar,
Director, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National 
Weather Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11565 Filed 5-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KE-P

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