National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration June 6, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This exempted fishing permit (EFP) application is a continuation of a collaborative project involving the University of New Hampshire (UNH), Durham, NH; the Lobster Conservancy, Friendship, Maine; the New England Aquarium, Boston, MA; and the Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association, Candia, NH. The EFP proposes to continue monitoring legal sized egg bearing female lobsters (berried lobsters) carrying early-stage eggs. The continuation of this project will allow participating Federal lobster permit holders, fishing in designated study areas, to preserve a maximum of ten eggs from each berried lobster captured in commercial lobster gear, to allow researchers to determine what percentage of eggs are fertilized, and estimate the egg developmental stage and time to maturity. The berried lobsters will then be released unharmed. This project would not involve the authorization of any additional trap gear, and all trap gear would conform to existing Federal lobster regulations. There would be no anticipated adverse effects on protected resources or habitat as a result of this research. The EFP would waive the prohibition on removal of eggs for a maximum of 13 participating vessels. The Director, State, Federal and Constituent Programs Office, Northeast Region, NMFS (Office Director) has made a preliminary determination that the subject EFP application contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Office Director has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFPs would be consistent with the goals and objectives of Federal management of the American lobster resource. However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue EFPs. NMFS announces that the Office Director proposes to issue EFPs and, therefore, invites comments on the issuance of EFPs for this research.

The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Product Development Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 (CPDC-S&A 3.3) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated October 17, 2006. CPDC-S&A 3.3 is the Federal Advisory Committee charged with responsibility to develop a draft Synthesis and Assessment Product that addresses CCSP Topic 3.3: ``Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate''. Place: The meeting will be held at the Aspen Global Change Institute, 100 East Francis St. Aspen, Colorado, 81611. Time and Dates: The meeting will convene at 4 p.m. on Monday, June 25, 2007 and adjourn at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2007. Meeting information will be available online on the CPDC-S&A 3.3 Web site (https:// www.climate.noaa.gov/index.jsp?pg=./ccsp/33.jsp). Please note that meeting location, times, and agenda topics described below are subject to change. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation and will include a 30-minute public comment period on June 25 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (check Web site to confirm this time and the room in which the meeting will be held). The CPDC-S&A 3.3 expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of five (5) minutes. Written comments (at least 35 copies) should be received by the CPDC-S&A 3.3 Designated Federal Official (DFO) by June 18, 2007 to provide sufficient time for review. Written comments received after June 18 will be distributed to the CPDC-S&A 3.3, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Seats will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Matters to be Considered: The meeting will (1) formulate responses to the published NRC review report on the First Draft of Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 and revise the First Draft accordingly; (2) finalize plans for completion and submission of the Second Draft of Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.3 to the Climate Change Science Program Office for the public comment period.