Department of Commerce October 17, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is providing a public opportunity to learn more about NIST efforts to develop a tabletop Kibble balance aimed at realizing mass [500 mg-20 g], with uncertainties of parts in 10\6\, and traceable to the new quantum International System of Units (SI). The two-hour virtual meeting will take place October 19, 2022, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. eastern time.

We, NMFS, propose to designate critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Specific occupied areas proposed for designation as critical habitat contain approximately 2,353.19 sq. kilometers (908.57 sq. miles) of aquatic habitat located in waters off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We have considered positive and negative economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed critical habitat. We are soliciting comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including our identification and consideration of impacts of the proposed action.

NMFS has received a request from Mayflower Wind, LLC (Mayflower Wind) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the Mayflower Wind Project in a designated lease area on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Lease Area Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-A-0521 offshore of Massachusetts, over the course of 5 years beginning on April 1, 2025. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of Mayflower Wind's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and issuance of a 5-year Letter of Authorization (LOA). NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on Mayflower Wind's application and request.