National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 14, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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. This notice pertains to a requested revision and extension of the approved collection of information for national marine sanctuary permits. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.

NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule modifies the ratios used to set the state-specific red snapper private angling component annual catch limits (ACLs) for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi and modifies each of these state's private angling component ACLs based on the new ratios. In addition, this final rule modifies the stock ACL for gray snapper in the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The purposes of this final rule are to update the state specific private angling component calibration ratios and ACLs to provide a more accurate estimate of state landings for red snapper management and to revise gray snapper catch limits with updated scientific information to continue to achieve optimum yield (OY) for the stock.

We, NMFS, are proposing to issue protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the conservation of the threatened oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus). The proposed regulations would apply all of the prohibitions listed under ESA sections 9(a)(1)(A) through 9(a)(1)(G) for the species, with limited exceptions for scientific research and law enforcement activities that contribute to the conservation of the species. In addition, we are announcing the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the environmental impacts of promulgating these regulations. Finally, we solicit comments from the public and all interested parties regarding this proposed rule and the draft EA.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, for authorization to take, by Level A and Level B harassment only, small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the Lower Columbia River (LCR) Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP), in Oregon and Washington, for a period of 5 years from November 2028 through February 2032. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of USACE's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on USACE's application and request.