National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 16, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery
Document Number: 2013-20028
Type: Rule
Date: 2013-08-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule reopens an additional portion of the Georges Bank Closed Area to the harvest of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs. This final rule follows up on a preceding interim final rule that was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2012. The previous interim final rule reopened a portion of the Georges Bank Closed Area that had been closed to the harvest of Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs since 1990 due to the presence of toxins known to cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. However, the area reopened in the interim final rule was reduced in size from the area identified in the proposed rule. Based on comments received on the interim final rule and requests from the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, this final rule will reopen an additional portion of the Georges Bank Closed Area.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Whale Shark as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
Document Number: 2013-20026
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We (NMFS) announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted.
Implementation of New Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology Program
Document Number: 2013-19946
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA announces the implementation, under the authority of the Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) of 2012, of a new competitive science program to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Document Number: 2013-19942
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Estuarine Reserves Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce is announcing a thirty day public comment period for the Wells, Maine National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan revision. Pursuant to 15 CFR Section 921.33(c), the revised plan meets the reserve's requirements for compliance. The Wells Reserve Management Plan revision will replace the plan approved in 2007. The revised management plan outlines the administrative structure; the research & monitoring, education, training, and stewardship goals of the reserve; and the plans for future land acquisition and facility development to support reserve operations. The Wells, Maine National Estuarine Research Reserve takes an integrated approach to management, linking research, education, training and stewardship functions to address high priority issues including the impact of climate change of coastal ecosystems and communities, development pressures, population growth, land-use change, habitat fragmentation, and water quality degradation. Since the last management plan, the reserve implemented its core programs and expanded its monitoring infrastructure to include Sentinel Site protocols; enhanced its facilities, including new Visitor Center exhibits and interpretive trail signs; constructed an environmental chamber for year-round research; and furthered land conservation in the reserve's targeted watersheds. The revised management plan will serve as the guiding document for the 2,250 acre Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve for the next five years. The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan revision can be viewed at www.wellsreserve.org. Comments can be provided to Paul Dest, Reserve Director at dest@wellsnerr.org.
Hydrographic Services Review Panel
Document Number: 2013-19941
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-08-16
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This notice responds to the Hydrographic Service Improvements Act Amendments of 2002, Public Law 107-372, which requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to solicit nominations for membership on the Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP). The HSRP, a Federal advisory committee, advises the Administrator on matters related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act (HSIA) of 1998 (as amended) and such other appropriate matters as the Administrator refers to the Panel for review and advice. Those responsibilities and authorities include, but are not limited to: Acquiring and disseminating hydrographic data and providing hydrographic services, as those terms are defined in the Act; promulgating standards for hydrographic data and services; ensuring comprehensive geographic coverage of hydrographic services; and testing, developing, and operating vessels, equipment, and technologies necessary to ensure safe navigation and maintain operational expertise in hydrographic data acquisition and hydrographic services. The Act states that ``voting members of the Panel shall be individuals who, by reason of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in one or more of the disciplines and fields relating to hydrographic data and hydrographic services, marine transportation, port administration, vessel pilotage, coastal and fishery management, and other disciplines as determined appropriate by the Administrator.'' The NOAA Administrator welcomes applications from individuals with expertise in navigation data, products and services; marine cartography and geospatial information systems; geodesy; physical oceanography; coastal resource management, including fisheries management and regional marine planning; and other science-related fields. To apply for membership on the Panel, applicants are asked to provide: (1) A cover letter that includes responses to the ``Short Response Questions'' listed below, and (2) a current resume (see ADDRESSES section). NOAA is an equal opportunity employer. Short Response Questions: (1) What area(s) of expertise, as listed above, would you best represent on this panel? (2) What geographic region(s) of the country do you primarily associate your expertise with? (3) Describe your leadership or professional experiences which you believe will contribute to the effectiveness of this panel. (4) Generally describe the breadth and scope of stakeholders, users, or other groups whose views and input you believe you can represent on the panel.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.