National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice extends the proposal submission deadline for the NOAA Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Matching Fund program by two weeks to October 16, 2022. Notice of the Brennan Matching Fund opportunity originally appeared in the Federal Register on June 10, 2022, 87 FR 35509.

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) will hold a meeting of the Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel (AP) October 18- 20, 2022, in Charleston, SC.

The SEDAR 77 assessment of the Atlantic stock of hammerhead sharks will consist of a stock identification (ID) process, data webinars/workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a review workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

This rulemaking proposes to add the Omega net mesh measurement gauge as a permissible device for net mesh measurement and correct regulatory references to gear restrictions. This action is required to allow the use of the Omega gauge as another method for measuring and enforcing net mesh size. Adoption of the Omega gauge, a handheld electronic device, is intended to improve the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of enforcement boardings at-sea.

NMFS has received a request from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (Atlantic Shores) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to activities associated with two offshore wind energy projects in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Lease Area Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-A-0499 off of New Jersey over the course of 5 years beginning on January 1, 2025. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of Atlantic Shores' request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and associated Letters of Authorization (LOAs). NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on Atlantic Shores' application and request.

Notice is hereby given that Adam Pack, Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and other cetaceans.

NOAA announces the appointment of members who will serve on the 2022 NOAA Performance Review Board (PRB). The NOAA PRB is responsible for reviewing performance appraisals and ratings of Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior Level (SL), and Scientific and Professional (ST) members and making written recommendations to the appointing authority on retention and compensation matters, including performance-based pay adjustments, awarding of bonuses, and reviewing recommendations for potential Presidential Rank Award nominees. The appointment of members to the NOAA PRB will be for a period of 2 years.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an IHA to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division to incidentally harass marine mammals during two in-water construction projects on Bainbridge Island, Washington: the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal Overhead Loading Replacement Project and Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility Slip F Improvement Project.

The SEDAR 74 assessment of Gulf of Mexico red snapper will consist of a Data workshop, a series of assessment webinars, and a Review workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (NPFMC) Joint Protocol Committee will meet October 13, 2022.

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) and Scientific and Statistical Committee's (SSC) Salmon Subcommittee will hold an online meeting.

In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); the Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS) and Record of Decision; and the Consent Decree, the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Federal and State natural resource trustee agencies for the Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group (Louisiana TIG) prepared the Final Phase II Restoration Plan #3.2: Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (Final Phase II RP #3.2). The Final Phase II RP #3.2 presents the Louisiana TIG's OPA evaluation of a proposed 75,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) capacity Mid-Barataria sediment diversion (i.e., Alternative 1, the Proposed MBSD Project) and five alternatives to help restore natural resources and ecological services injured or lost as a result of the DWH oil spill. The Louisiana TIG evaluated these alternatives under criteria identified in the Final Phase II RP #3.2, including those set forth in the OPA natural resource damage assessment regulations. In accordance with NEPA, the environmental consequences of the MSBD alternatives are evaluated in the associated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District (USACE CEMVN) Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, Plaquemines and Jefferson Parishes (MBSD FEIS). The Louisiana TIG Federal Trustees participated as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the MBSD FEIS. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Final Phase II RP #3.2, the Louisiana TIG's selection of Alternative 1 as its preferred alternative, and following adoption of the MBSD FEIS, the Louisiana TIG's intention to make an OPA NRDA decision regarding implementation of the preferred alternative.

The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the September subquota time period. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. This action also waives the previously-scheduled restricted fishing days (RFDs) for the remainder of the September subquota time period. With the RFDs waived during the closure, fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. On October 1, 2022, the fishery will reopen automatically and previously scheduled RFDs for the October through November subquota time period will resume.

NMFS received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for the renewal of their currently active IHA to take marine mammals incidental to the Naval Base San Diego Pier 6 Replacement Project in San Diego, California. These activities consist of activities that are covered by the current authorization, but will not be completed prior to its expiration. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, prior to issuing the currently active IHA, NMFS requested comments on both the proposed IHA and the potential for renewing the initial authorization if certain requirements were satisfied. The renewal requirements have been satisfied, and NMFS is now providing an additional 15-day comment period to allow for any additional comments on the proposed renewal not previously provided during the initial 30-day comment period.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting of its Law Enforcement Technical Committee (LETC), in conjunction with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission's Law Enforcement Committee (LEC).

The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) will hold a one-day hybrid (in-person/virtual) meeting of its Joint Council Workgroup for Section 102 of the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018.

This notice announces the Draft Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring of Ocean Acidification is available for public comment. Developed by the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification of the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, this Draft Strategic Plan presents an updated vision for how to move Federal agencies toward a better understanding of the process of ocean acidification, its effects on marine ecosystems, and the steps that could be taken to adapt marine resource management to account for it.

This notice announces the date, time, and location of the public meeting being held, in a hybrid format, prior to the 68th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The meeting is open to U.S. citizens only.

On August 1, 2022, NMFS published proposed amendments to the North Atlantic right whale vessel strike reduction rule, with a 60-day comment period ending on September 30, 2022. In response to multiple requests for an extension, NMFS is announcing an extension of the public comment period by an additional 30 calendar days ending on October 31, 2022.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will meet via hybrid conference October 3, 2022 through October 11, 2022.

NOAA's Marine Debris Program and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Trash Free Waters Program, on behalf of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee (IMDCC), is soliciting public comments regarding the draft Report on Microfiber Pollution. The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act of 2020 requires the IMDCC to complete a report on microfiber pollution. This Report will provide Congress with an overview of the microfiber pollution issue, while also outlining a path forward for Federal agencies, in partnership with other stakeholders, to address this problem.