Department of Commerce September 29, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, NMFS has received an application from the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society (SGRLPS), for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by incidental harassment, incidental to conducting aircraft operations and restoration and maintenance work on the St. George Reef Light Station on Northwest Seal Rock (NWSR) in the northeast Pacific Ocean. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended, NMFS requests comments on its proposal to authorize SGRLPS to incidentally take, by Level B harassment only, small numbers of marine mammals, incidental to conducting aircraft operations, and lighthouse renovation and light maintenance activities for one year. Since the proposed activities would occur in the vicinity of pinniped haul out sites, marine mammals could be disturbed as a result of helicopter landing/takeoff and human presence; therefore, SGRLPS has requested an IHA.

Notice is hereby given that Jane Provancha, NASA, Ecological Program, Kennedy Space Center, FL, 32899, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

NMFS proposes a regulation to implement the annual harvest guideline (HG) for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the Pacific coast. This HG is proposed according to the regulations implementing the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and establishes allowable harvest levels for Pacific mackerel off the Pacific coast. The proposed total HG for the 2009-2010 fishing year is 10,000 metric tons (mt) and is proposed to be divided into a directed fishery HG of 8,000 mt and an incidental fishery of 2,000 mt.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C., 4314(c)(4), Department of Commerce (DOC) announces the appointment of persons to serve as members of the Departmental Performance Review Board (DPRB). The DPRB provides an objective peer review of the initial performance ratings, performance-based pay adjustments and bonus recommendations, higher- level review requests and other performance-related actions submitted by appointing authorities for Senior Executive Service (SES) members whom they directly supervise, and makes recommendations based upon its review. The term of the new members of the DPRB will expire December 31, 2011.