National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration December 28, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, NMFS, designate and authorize the release of a nonessential experimental population (NEP or experimental population) of Central Valley (CV) spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the upper Yuba River and its tributaries upstream of Englebright Dam, California, and under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), establish a limited set of take exceptions for the experimental population. Successful reintroduction of a population within the species' historical range would contribute to its viability and further its conservation. The issuance of limited protective regulations for the conservation of the species would provide assurances to the people of the upper Yuba River watershed. This document also announces the availability of a final environmental assessment (EA) that analyzed the environmental impacts of promulgating the experimental population rule and associated take exceptions.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration intend to prepare a draft monument management plan for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which was established by Presidential Proclamation 9496 and updated by Presidential Proclamation 10287. When the draft plan is complete, we will advertise its availability and seek public comment. We furnish this notice to advise the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments and agencies of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider during the planning process. An environmental assessment to evaluate the potential effects of various management alternatives will also be prepared. The environmental assessment will provide resource managers with the information needed to determine if the potential effects may be significant and warrant preparation of an environmental impact statement, or if the potential impacts lead to a finding of no significant impact.

NMFS publishes the individual fishing quota (IFQ) standard prices and fee percentage for cost recovery for the IFQ Program for the halibut and sablefish fisheries of the North Pacific (IFQ Program). The fee percentage for 2022 is 1.9 percent. This action is intended to provide holders of halibut and sablefish IFQ permits with the 2022 standard prices and fee percentage to calculate the required payment for IFQ cost recovery fees due by January 31, 2023.