National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 16, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC). The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined in the agenda below.

We, NMFS, announce a correcting amendment to the Code of Federal Regulations to identify the Southern Resident killer whale (Orcinus orca) distinct population segment (DPS) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA).

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA AA), on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes annual management measures promulgated as regulations by the IPHC and approved by the Secretary of State governing the Pacific halibut fishery. The AA also announces modifications to the Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) for Area 2A (waters off the U.S. West Coast) and implementing regulations for 2011, and announces approval of the Area 2A CSP. These actions are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut and further the goals and objectives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) (Councils).

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel (AP) in North Charleston, SC.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (AP) in Charleston, SC.

The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the ACE Basin (South Carolina) National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Georgia Coastal Management Program. The National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation will be conducted pursuant to sections 312 and 315 of the CZMA and regulations at 15 CFR part 921, subpart E and part 923, subpart L. Evaluation of a National Estuarine Research Reserve requires findings concerning the extent to which a State has met the national objectives, adhered to its Reserve final management plan approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA. The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation will be conducted pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (CZMA) and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, subpart L. The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of States with respect to coastal program implementation. Evaluation of a Coastal Management Program requires findings concerning the extent to which a State has met the national objectives, adhered to its Coastal Management Program document approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA. Each evaluation will include a site visit, consideration of public comments, and consultations with interested Federal, State, and local agencies and members of the public. A public meeting will be held as part of the site visit. When the evaluation is completed, OCRM will place a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Final Evaluation Findings. Notice is hereby given of the dates of the site visits for the listed evaluations and the dates, local times, and locations of the public meetings during the site visits. Date and Time: The ACE Basin (South Carolina) National Estuarine Research Reserve evaluation site visit will be held May 2-6, 2011. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. local time in the conference room at the Environmental Learning Center, Edisto Island State Park, Oyster Row Lane, Edisto Island, South Carolina. The Georgia Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit will be held May 23-27, 2011. One public meeting will be held during the week. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. local time at the Shipman Environmental Center at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia.