Notice To Solicit Nominations for Membership on the National Sea Grant Advisory Board (NSGAB), 102116-102117 [2024-29605]
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102116
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 17, 2024 / Notices
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will have a negligible impact on the
species or stock(s), will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for
subsistence uses (where relevant), and if
the permissible methods of taking and
requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of
such takings are set forth.
NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
resulting from the specified activity that
cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
the species or stock through effects on
annual rates of recruitment or survival.
The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’
means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or
attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
any marine mammal.
Except with respect to certain
activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: any act of
pursuit, torment, or annoyance, which
(i) has the potential to injure a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) 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 (Level B
harassment).
Summary of Request
On May 24, 2024, NMFS received an
application from Vineyard Northeast
requesting authorization to take marine
mammals incidental to the development
of the Project in the BOEM Lease Area
OCS–A–0522 off of MA and CT. In
response to our comments, and
following an extensive information
exchange with NMFS, Vineyard
Northeast submitted a final revised
application on November 18, 2024,
which we deemed adequate and
complete on November 18, 2024.
Vineyard Northeast requests the
regulations and subsequent Letter of
Authorization (LOA) be valid for 5
years, beginning on January 1, 2028.
Vineyard Northeast has proposed to
construct the Project (comprised of two
sub-projects: Project 1 and Project 2)
using impact and vibratory pile driving
of wind turbine generators (WTG)
foundations, impact pile driving of
electrical service platform (ESP)
foundations and a booster station,
vibratory installation and removal of
cofferdams at cable landfall sites,
detonation of unexploded ordinances
(UXOs), site characterization surveys,
seabed preparation and scour protection
application, and inter-array and export
cable trenching, laying, and burial.
Vessels would be used to transport
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19:45 Dec 16, 2024
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crew, supplies, and materials to the
project area to support construction.
Vineyard Northeast has determined that
a subset of these activities (i.e.,
installing piles using impact and
vibratory pile driving, vibratory
installation and removal of cofferdams,
site characterization surveys, and
potential UXO detonation) may result in
the take, by Level A harassment and/or
Level B harassment, of marine
mammals. Therefore, Vineyard
Northeast requests authorization to
incidentally take marine mammals.
Take by mortality or serious injury of
any marine mammal or take by Level A
harassment of North Atlantic right
whales is not requested.
Specified Activities
Vineyard Northeast proposes to
develop, construct, and operate an
offshore wind energy facility in the
BOEM Lease Area OCS–A–0522 along
with associated offshore and onshore
transmission systems. The purpose of
this facility would be to generate
renewable electricity to meet the
demand expressed by northeastern
states and other users in order to
achieve renewable energy and carbon
emission reduction goals. The Lease
Area is located within the southeastern
portion of the MA Wind Energy Area
and is approximately 46 kilometers (29
miles) from Nantucket. Offshore export
cable corridors (OECC) would connect
the Lease Area to landfall sites in MA
and CT. Vineyard Northeast has divided
the Lease Area into Project 1
(northeastern portion) and Project 2
(southwestern portion), as well as
proposed two potential construction
schedules consisting of a 2-year
(Schedule A: 2030–2031) or 4-year
(Schedule B: 2029–2032) timeline. The
Project would consist of up to 160 wind
turbine generator and electrical service
platform positions within the Lease
Area, and up to 4 offshore export cable
bundles with 2 cable bundles making
landfall in MA and 2 cable bundles
making landfall in CT. If high voltage
alternating current (HVAC) cables are
used, Vineyard Northeast may install a
booster station along the MA OECC in
the northwestern portion of Lease Area
OCS–A–0534 to increase efficiency of
electrical transmission.
Vineyard Northeast anticipates the
following activities may potentially
result in the harassment of marine
mammals during the effective period of
the requested regulations and associated
LOA:
• Installing up to 159 WTG monopile
and/or piled jacket foundations with a
maximum diameter of 14 meters (m)
using a 6,600 or 8,000 kilojoules (kJ)
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impact hammer, vibratory hammer, and
potential drilling;
• Installing up to three ESP
foundations and one booster station
foundation using piled jacket
foundations comprised of 4.25 m pin
piles driven with a 3,500 kJ impact
hammer;
• Installing and removing up to 5
cofferdams comprised of sheet piles
using a vibratory hammer;
• Using HRG equipment to survey the
Lease Area over 64 days; and
• Potential detonation of up to 10
UXOs.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit
information, suggestions, and comments
concerning Vineyard Northeast’s request
(see ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider all
information, suggestions, and comments
related to the request during the
development of proposed regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals by Vineyard
Northeast, if appropriate.
Dated: December 11, 2024.
Kimberly Damon-Randall,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–29574 Filed 12–16–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Notice To Solicit Nominations for
Membership on the National Sea Grant
Advisory Board (NSGAB)
Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research (OAR), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of
Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice to solicit nominations for
membership on the National Sea Grant
Advisory Board (NSGAB). https://
seagrant.noaa.gov/About/AdvisoryBoard.
AGENCY:
The National Sea Grant
Advisory Board (NSGAB) advises the
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea
Grant) in the areas of program
evaluation, strategic planning,
education and extension and science
and technology programs. For more
information on this Federal Advisory
Committee please visit the Federal
Advisory Committee database: https://
www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/
FACAPublicPage. This notice also
responds to the Sea Grant Program
Improvement Act of 1976, which
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 17, 2024 / Notices
requires the Secretary of Commerce to
solicit nominations at least once a year
for membership on the NSGAB. To
apply for membership to the Board,
applicants should submit a current
resume. A cover letter highlighting
specific areas of expertise relevant to the
purpose of the Board is helpful, but not
required. Nominations will be accepted
by Email at oar.sg-feedback@noaa.gov.
While nominations are always accepted,
to be considered for current openings,
please submit your nomination no later
than January 31, 2025. NOAA is an
equal opportunity employer.
The
Board, which consists of a balanced
representation from academia, industry,
state government and citizens groups,
was established in 1976 by Section 209
of the Sea Grant Improvement Act (Pub.
L. 94–461, 33 U.S.C. 1128). The Board
advises the Secretary of Commerce and
the Director of the National Sea Grant
College Program with respect to
operations under the Act, and such
other matters as the Secretary refers to
them for review and advice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Privacy Act Statement
Authority. The collection of
information concerning nominations to
the NSGAB FAC is authorized under the
FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. and
its implementing regulations, 41 CFR
part 102–3, and in accordance with the
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended,
(Privacy Act) 5 U.S.C. 552a. Purpose.
The collection of names, contact
information, resumes, professional
information, and qualifications is
required in order for the Under
Secretary to appoint members to the
NSGAB FAC. Routine Uses. NOAA will
use the nomination information for the
purpose set forth above. The Privacy Act
of 1974 authorizes disclosure of the
information collected to NOAA staff for
work-related purposes and for other
purposes only as set forth in the Privacy
Act and for routine uses published in
the Privacy Act System of Records
Notice COMMERCE/DEPT–11,
Candidates for Membership, Members,
and Former Members of Department of
Commerce Advisory Committees,
available at https://www.osec.doc.gov/
opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.html,
and the System of Records Notice
COMMERCE/DEPT–18, Employees
Personnel Files Not Covered by Notices
of Other Agencies, available at https://
www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/
SORNs/DEPT-18.html. Disclosure.
Furnishing the nomination information
is voluntary; however, if the information
is not provided, the individual would
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19:45 Dec 16, 2024
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not be considered for appointment as a
member of the NSGAB FAC.
David Holst,
Chief Financial Officer/Administrative
Officer, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024–29605 Filed 12–16–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–KA–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XE511]
Marine Mammals; File No. 28286
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
SeaWorld LLC, 6240 Sea Harbor Drive,
Orlando, FL 32821 (Responsible Party:
Chris Dold, DVM), has applied in due
form for a permit to conduct research
and enhancement activities on one
stranded, non-releasable beluga whale
(Delphinapterus leucas) from the
endangered Cook Inlet distinct
population segment (DPS).
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before January 31, 2025.
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. 28286 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. 28286 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:
Courtney Smith, Ph.D., or Jennifer
Skidmore, (301) 427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
regulations governing the taking and
SUMMARY:
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102117
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (ESA; 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 through 226).
The applicant proposes to conduct
research on and provide long-term care
for one male beluga whale
(NOA0010477/‘‘Tyonek’’) from the
depleted and endangered Cook Inlet
DPS. This whale stranded as a neonate
(estimated date of birth: September 1,
2017), and was rescued and
rehabilitated by the Alaska marine
mammal stranding network under the
authority of the NMFS Marine Mammal
Health and Stranding Response
Program. NMFS determined him to be
non-releasable and placed Tyonek with
SeaWorld of Texas where he has been
maintained for research and
enhancement purposes since March 18,
2018.
Proposed research activities for this
beluga whale include behavioral
observations, underwater photography/
videography, and active acoustic sonar
imaging. The proposed enhancement
activities include continued daily
husbandry care (feeding, training,
monitoring growth [measurements,
weight, ultrasound]); veterinary care
(exams and biological sampling
including but not limited to blood,
breath exhalate, oral swabs, skin
scrapes, gastric fluids, urine, feces; and
treatments as warranted); reproductive
health assessment (testicular
ultrasound); behavioral observations;
and enrichment.
Tyonek would be placed on public
display incidental to the proposed
research and enhancement activities but
would not be used in interactive
programs with the public or trained for
performance. Tyonek would be
included in public educational
presentations would address the
endangered status and current threats to
the Cook Inlet DPS and may include
demonstrations of trained husbandry
and enrichment behaviors as well as
natural behaviors. Tyonek may be
transported to another SeaWorld facility
in consultation with NMFS, if deemed
necessary for socialization or husbandry
purposes. The permit is requested for a
5-year period.
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.
E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM
17DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 102116-102117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29605]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice To Solicit Nominations for Membership on the National Sea
Grant Advisory Board (NSGAB)
AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce
(DOC).
ACTION: Notice to solicit nominations for membership on the National
Sea Grant Advisory Board (NSGAB). https://seagrant.noaa.gov/About/Advisory-Board.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Sea Grant Advisory Board (NSGAB) advises the
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) in the areas of program
evaluation, strategic planning, education and extension and science and
technology programs. For more information on this Federal Advisory
Committee please visit the Federal Advisory Committee database: https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/FACAPublicPage. This notice also responds to
the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976, which
[[Page 102117]]
requires the Secretary of Commerce to solicit nominations at least once
a year for membership on the NSGAB. To apply for membership to the
Board, applicants should submit a current resume. A cover letter
highlighting specific areas of expertise relevant to the purpose of the
Board is helpful, but not required. Nominations will be accepted by
Email at [email protected]. While nominations are always
accepted, to be considered for current openings, please submit your
nomination no later than January 31, 2025. NOAA is an equal opportunity
employer.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, which consists of a balanced
representation from academia, industry, state government and citizens
groups, was established in 1976 by Section 209 of the Sea Grant
Improvement Act (Pub. L. 94-461, 33 U.S.C. 1128). The Board advises the
Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Sea Grant
College Program with respect to operations under the Act, and such
other matters as the Secretary refers to them for review and advice.
Privacy Act Statement
Authority. The collection of information concerning nominations to
the NSGAB FAC is authorized under the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
and its implementing regulations, 41 CFR part 102-3, and in accordance
with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act) 5 U.S.C. 552a.
Purpose. The collection of names, contact information, resumes,
professional information, and qualifications is required in order for
the Under Secretary to appoint members to the NSGAB FAC. Routine Uses.
NOAA will use the nomination information for the purpose set forth
above. The Privacy Act of 1974 authorizes disclosure of the information
collected to NOAA staff for work-related purposes and for other
purposes only as set forth in the Privacy Act and for routine uses
published in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/DEPT-11,
Candidates for Membership, Members, and Former Members of Department of
Commerce Advisory Committees, available at https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.html, and the System of Records Notice
COMMERCE/DEPT-18, Employees Personnel Files Not Covered by Notices of
Other Agencies, available at https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/DEPT-18.html. Disclosure. Furnishing the nomination information
is voluntary; however, if the information is not provided, the
individual would not be considered for appointment as a member of the
NSGAB FAC.
David Holst,
Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-29605 Filed 12-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-P
