Marine Mammals; File No. 28171, 63164-63165 [2024-17115]

Download as PDF 63164 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 149 / Friday, August 2, 2024 / Notices You may also request a flash drive containing the Final Supplemental RPII/ EA (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stella Wilson, NOAA Restoration Center, (850) 332–4169, gulfspill.restoration@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction On April 20, 2010, the mobile offshore drilling unit DWH, which was drilling a well for BP Exploration and Production, Inc., (BP) experienced a significant explosion, fire and subsequent sinking in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the release of millions of barrels of oil and other discharges into the Gulf. Under the authority of the OPA, designated Federal and State trustees, acting on behalf of the public, assessed the injuries to natural resources and prepared the ‘‘Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement’’ and the ‘‘Record of Decision for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement’’, which sets forth the governance structure and process for DWH restoration planning under the OPA NRDA regulations. On April 4, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the eastern district of Louisiana entered a consent decree resolving civil claims by the trustees against BP. The Alabama TIG, which is composed of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, NOAA, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, selects and implements restoration projects under the Alabama TIG’s management authority in accordance with the consent decree. The Final PDARP/PEIS, ROD, consent decree, and information on the DWH trustees can be found at https://www.gulfspillrestoration. noaa.gov/restoration-planning/gulfplan. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Background Overview of the Final Supplemental RPII/EA In the Final Supplemental RPII/EA, the Alabama TIG analyzes a reasonable range of two project alternatives and, pursuant to the NEPA, a No Action Alternative. Those alternatives include: • Enhancing Capacity for the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network project Extension (preferred); and • Reducing Illegal Feeding of Bottlenose Dolphins project (nonpreferred). Funding to implement either alternative ultimately selected by the Alabama TIG would come from the Marine Mammal Restoration Type allocation. The total estimated cost to implement the preferred alternative is $1,881,237 and would utilize the remaining allocation of Alabama TIG Marine Mammal Restoration Type funds. Administrative Record The Administrative Record for the Final Supplemental RPII/EA can be viewed electronically at https:// www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/admin record under the folder 6.5.3.2. Authority The authority for this action is the OPA of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), its implementing NRDA regulations found at 15 CFR part 990, and the NEPA of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), its implementing regulations found at 40 CFR parts 1500–1508. Dated: July 29, 2024. Carrie Diane Robinson, Director, Office of Habitat Conservation, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–17092 Filed 8–1–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE In September 2018, the Alabama TIG completed the ‘‘Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Alabama Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan II and Environmental Assessment: Restoration of Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore Habitats; Habitat Projects on Federally Managed Lands; Nutrient Reduction (Nonpoint Source); Sea Turtles; Marine VerDate Sep<11>2014 Mammals; Birds; and Oysters’’. Twenty restoration projects were selected for implementation; one of which was Enhancing Capacity for the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network. That project has been successfully implemented utilizing Marine Mammal Restoration Type funds identified in the DWH consent decree. 16:22 Aug 01, 2024 Jkt 262001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE145] Marine Mammals; File No. 28171 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. Notice is hereby given that Rachel Cartwright, Ph.D., Keiki Kohola Project, 1330 Sabal Lakes Road, Delray Beach, FL 33445, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae; Hawaii distinct population segment [DPS]), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens; Hawaiian insular DPS), and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 3, 2024. 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 home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 28171 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. 28171’’ 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: Erin Markin, Ph.D., or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). The applicant proposes to continue long-term monitoring of the health, behavior, and habitat use of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters. Research may be conducted from a vessel or unmanned aircraft system for counts, observations, and photograph and video recordings (above and underwater) on SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM 02AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 149 / Friday, August 2, 2024 / Notices up to 1,017 humpback whales annually. Opportunistic research may occur on 12 bottlenose, 120 spinner, and 60 pantropical spotted dolphins, 24 false killer, and 24 short-finned pilot whales, annually. The requested duration of the permit is 5 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: July 25, 2024. Julia M. Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–17115 Filed 8–1–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Draft Revised Management Plan for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Request for comments. AGENCY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting comments from the public regarding a proposed revision of the management plan for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. A management plan provides a framework to guide a reserve’s programs, track progress toward meeting its goals, and identify potential opportunities or changes in direction. It is also used to guide programmatic evaluations of a reserve. Management plan revisions are required at least every five years. This draft revised management plan is intended to replace the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan, which was approved in 2009. DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address (see ADDRESSES) on or before September 3, 2024. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Aug 01, 2024 Jkt 262001 The draft revised management plan can be downloaded or viewed at: https://floridadep.gov/sites/ default/files/GTM-NERR-ManagementPlan.pdf. It is also available by sending a written request to the point of contact identified below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may submit comments by email to steph.robinson@noaa.gov. Include ‘‘Comments on draft Guana Tolomato Matanzas Management Plan’’ in the subject line of the message. NOAA will accept anonymous comments, however, the written comments NOAA receives are considered part of the public record, and the entirety of the comment, including the name of the commenter, email address, attachments, and other supporting materials, will be publicly accessible. Sensitive personally identifiable information, such as account numbers and Social Security numbers, should not be included with the comment. Comments that are not related to the Management Plan for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, or that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language will not be considered. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Robinson, on contract with NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, steph.robinson@noaa.gov, (843) 481– 0190. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to 15 CFR 921.33(c), Florida must revise the management plan for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve at least every five years. If approved by NOAA, the revised management plan for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve will replace the plan previously approved in 2009. Management plans outline a reserve’s strategic goals and objectives; administrative structure; programs for conducting research and monitoring, education, and training; resource protection, restoration, and manipulation plans; public access and visitor use plans; consideration for future land acquisition; and facility development to support reserve operations. In particular, this draft revised management plan for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas reserve focuses on changes to the strategic plan, physical boundaries, and enhanced programmatic alignment across the reserve’s sectors. Since the last management plan, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve received approval for an expansion of the site’s boundary—March 2020—to include the ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63165 City of St. Augustine’s sovereign submerged lands within the Matanzas River and Salt Run, the state sovereign submerged lands along the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers that connect the City of St. Augustine portion to the previous boundary, and the Marshview parcel in the southern portion of the reserve. In addition, the reserve completed several facility construction projects: the Princess Place Legacy House and Cabins for visiting investigator use; a freshwater wetland boardwalk; a freshwater marsh boardwalk on the Guana Preserve Yellow Trail; and a storage facility (pole barn). The reserve also installed redesigned interpretive displays at the Visitor Center and along several trails within the reserve. The revised management plan, once approved, would serve as the guiding document for the 75,761-acre Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve for the next five years. NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management analyzes the environmental impacts of the proposed approval of this management plan in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500–1508 (2022)). The public is invited to comment on the draft revised management plan. NOAA will take these comments into consideration when deciding whether to approve the revised management plan in whole or in part. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.; 15 CFR 921.33. Keelin S. Kuipers, Deputy Director, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2024–17057 Filed 8–1–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE125] South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM 02AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63164-63165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE145]


Marine Mammals; File No. 28171

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Rachel Cartwright, Ph.D., Keiki 
Kohola Project, 1330 Sabal Lakes Road, Delray Beach, FL 33445, has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae; Hawaii distinct population segment [DPS]), 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spinner dolphins (Stenella 
longirostris), pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), false 
killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens; Hawaiian insular DPS), and short-
finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 3, 
2024.

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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
28171 from the list of available applications. These documents are also 
available upon written request via email to [email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include ``File No. 28171'' in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Markin, Ph.D., or Carrie Hubard, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and 
threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant proposes to continue long-term monitoring of the 
health, behavior, and habitat use of humpback whales in Hawaiian 
waters. Research may be conducted from a vessel or unmanned aircraft 
system for counts, observations, and photograph and video recordings 
(above and underwater) on

[[Page 63165]]

up to 1,017 humpback whales annually. Opportunistic research may occur 
on 12 bottlenose, 120 spinner, and 60 pantropical spotted dolphins, 24 
false killer, and 24 short-finned pilot whales, annually. The requested 
duration of the permit is 5 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: July 25, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-17115 Filed 8-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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