National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration December 10, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received three applications for direct take permits for spring Chinook salmon, in the form of Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). One application is from the Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County (Douglas PUD), the Public Utility District of Grant County (Grant PUD), and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for the operation of the Methow spring Chinook salmon program. Another application is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for the Winthrop National Fish Hatchery (WNFH) spring Chinook salmon program. The third application is from the Confederated Colville Tribes (CCT); this program is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and operates in close coordination with the USFWS and Reclamation WNFH spring Chinook program. All applicants are seeking ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) permits. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the permit applications and addenda for public review, comment, and submission of written data, views, arguments, or other relevant information. All comments and other information received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA.

NMFS proposes 2014 and 2015 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2014 and 2015 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

NOAA is proposing to update the regulations and management plan for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS or Sanctuary). The regulations would be revised to clarify the prohibition on anchoring and add an exemption to allow the use of weighted marker buoys that are continuously tended and used during otherwise lawful fishing or diving activities and that are not attached to a vessel and not capable of holding a boat at anchor. A draft environmental assessment has been prepared that includes analysis of the consequences of this proposed action. A draft management plan outlining management priorities for GRNMS for the next 5-10 years has also been prepared. NOAA is soliciting public comment on the proposed rule, draft environmental assessment, and draft management plan.