National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 18, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Establishment of the USPDC will result in the provision of advice to the Under Secretary of Commerce on the content of a report that will integrate and evaluate the findings of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program in the context of current and projected global climate change trends, both human-induced and natural, and analyze the effects of current and projected climate change on: ecosystems and biological diversity; agriculture; energy production and use; land and water resources; transportation; and human health and social systems. This advice will be used by NOAA to develop a final product that addresses these topic areas. Following establishment of the USPDC, the first Committee meeting will be held. All sessions of the meeting will be open to the public.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), notification is hereby given that NMFS has received an application from the Port of Anchorage (herein after ``Port'') to take small numbers of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to the 5-year Phase II portion of the Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project (herein after ``Project'') at the Port, Anchorage, Alaska. Species which could be potentially taken from Port construction include the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and killer whale (Orcinus orca). NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue a 1-year incidental harassment authorization (IHA) for the 2008 construction season (April-October) and its intent to promulgate regulations in 2009 governing the take of marine mammals over a 5-year period incidental to the activities described herein.

NMFS extends the public comment period on the proposed rule containing revised definitions for certain regulatory terms, and procedural and technical changes to the regulations addressing scientific research activities, exempted fishing, and exempted educational activities under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NMFS has received a request to extend the comment period for the proposed rule beyond its current 90-day comment period. The extension of the comment period for an additional 15 days is intended to ensure that NMFS provides adequate time for fishery management councils, stakeholders and members of the public to comment on the proposed revisions. The comment deadline is extended from March 20, 2008, to April 4, 2008.

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant Regional Administrator) has made a preliminary determination that the subject Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application from the University of New England (UNE) and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) that would allow Northeast multispecies vessels to possess spiny dogfish for a spiny dogfish life history study contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The Assistant Regional Administrator has also made a preliminary determination that the activities authorized under the EFP would be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). However, further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made.

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NOAA, announces temporary restrictions consistent with the requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan's (ALWTRP) implementing regulations. These regulations apply to lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,370 nm\2\ (4,699 km\2\), northeast of Boston, Massachusetts for 15 days. The purpose of this action is to provide protection to an aggregation of northern right whales (right whales).