National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 27, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes 2007 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. The intent of these specifications is to establish the allowable 2007 harvest levels and possession limits to attain the target fishing mortality rate (F), consistent with the stock rebuilding program in Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

NMFS will conduct an additional Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop in December, 2006 in Madeira Beach, FL. These workshops are mandatory for vessel owners and operators who use bottom longline, pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and have also been issued shark or swordfish limited access permits. Vessel owners and operators whose permits expire in January 2007 must attend a workshop in 2006. Additional workshops will be held throughout 2007; however, vessel owners and operators whose permits expire in the winter or spring of 2007 are welcome to attend workshops in 2006.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) (together, the Services) advise the public of the availability of the Final EIS on the applications by Simpson Resource Company, now Green Diamond Resource Company (Green Diamond), for a Section 10 incidental take permit and an enhancement of survival permit (together, the Permits), and a Final multi-species Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan/ Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (AHCP/CCAA, or Plan) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The Services and Green Diamond also have developed an Implementation Agreement. The applicant seeks the Permits to authorize incidental take of specified covered species, including some that may become listed during the term of the Permits. The Permits are sought to authorize incidental take of the covered species during forest management and timber harvest in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, CA, where Green Diamond owns lands or harvesting rights, during the term of the proposed 50 year Permits and Plan. This notice is provided pursuant to applicable NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6) to inform the public of the proposed action, and to make available for 30 days' review the Final EIS, Plan, and Implementation Agreement. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also is publishing a similar notice.