National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Product Development Committee (CPDC) for Synthesis and Assessment Product 5.3
Document Number: E6-15472
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and the General Services Administration (GSA) rule of Federal Advisory Committee Management, 41 CFR part 102-3, and after consultation with GSA, the Secretary of Commerce has determined that the establishment of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Product Development Committee (CPDC) for Synthesis and Assessment Product 5.3 (CPDC-S&A 5.3) is in the public interest, in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department by law. The CPDC-S&A 5.3 will advise the Secretary, through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, on CCSP Topic 5.3: ``Decision Support Experiments and Evaluations using Seasonal to Interannual Forecasts and Observational Data''. This advice will be provided in the form of a draft Synthesis and Assessment product intended to be used by NOAA to develop a final product in accordance with the Guidelines for Producing the CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Products, the OMB Peer Review Bulletin, and the Information Quality Act Guidelines. The CPDC- S&A 5.3 will consist of no more than 30 members to be appointed by the Under Secretary to assure a balanced representation among preeminent scientists, educators, and experts reflecting the full scope of the scientific issues addressed in CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Product 5.3. The CPDCS&A 5.3 will function solely as an advisory body, and in compliance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Its charter will be filed under the Act, fifteen days from the date of publication of this notice.
Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-15418
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Salmon Technical Team (STT) and Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Salmon Subcommittee will hold a joint work session, which is open to the public, to review proposed salmon methodology changes.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-15417
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a public meeting of the Habitat Protection Advisory Panel (AP).
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-15416
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory committees will hold public meetings, in Dutch Harbor, AK.
Vessel Monitoring Systems; Approved Mobile Transmitting Units for use in the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico
Document Number: E6-15340
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This document provides notice of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) approved by NOAA for use by vessels participating in the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and sets forth relevant features of the VMS.
Correction; Steller Sea Lion Protection Economic Survey
Document Number: E6-15305
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-15
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Team Meeting
Document Number: E6-15265
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is establishing a Take Reduction Team (TRT) to address incidental mortality and serious injury of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus), and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in several trawl gear fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean. The TRT will develop a Take Reduction Plan (TRP) as required by section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS will seek input from the Atlantic Trawl Gear TRT on all scientific data related to stock structure, abundance, and human-caused mortality and serious injury of pilot whales, white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins. The TRT will focus on developing a plan to reduce incidental catch of these species in Atlantic trawl gear fisheries to a level less than the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level within 6 months of implementation of the plan and to a level approaching a zero mortality and serious injury rate within 5 years of implementation of the plan.
Advisory Committee and Species Working Group Technical Advisor Appointments
Document Number: E6-15263
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is soliciting nominations to the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) as established by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). NMFS is also soliciting nominations for technical advisors to the Advisory Committee's species working groups.
Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act; Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery
Document Number: E6-15262
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-09-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On October 20, 2003, NMFS announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold scoping meetings in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On September 7, 2006, the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries decided to withdraw NMFS' intent to prepare an EIS due the increase in the fishing mortality rate since the time of the original notice. The overwhelming public response to the rulemaking - the great majority of whom were in support of maintaining the closure - together with the clear public perception that large trophy sized fish congregate in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), suggests that fishing effort in an opened EEZ might markedly increase striped bass mortality above the already elevated current rates. Therefore, further processing of an EIS is no longer warranted. The notice of intent to prepare an EIS is withdrawn and the NEPA process is hereby terminated.
Marine Mammals; File No. 763-1845
Document Number: E6-15261
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-14
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (SNZP), 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 (John Berry, Responsible Party) has been issued a permit to conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelliis) and import marine mammal specimens for scientific research.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; U.S. Atlantic Swordfish Fishery Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-15197
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
On August 31, 2006, NMFS published in the Federal Register a notice announcing five public meetings to obtain from U.S. Atlantic swordfish fishery participants and other members of the public recommendations regarding potential management measures so as to fully harvest the swordfish quota allocated to the United States by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). In response to requests from swordfish fishery participants in South Florida, NMFS is adding an additional meeting in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in September 2006.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagics off the Southern Atlantic States
Document Number: E6-15192
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-13
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the receipt of an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Dr. William Patterson and Captain Ben Hartig. If granted, the EFP would authorize the applicants, with certain conditions, to collect limited numbers of undersized and out-of-season king mackerel in South Atlantic Federal waters off the coast of Florida. The purpose of the study is to estimate temporal and spatial variability between migratory king mackerel groups in the winter mixing zone off the southeast coast of Florida.
Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Omnibus Amendment for the Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fisheries, Crustacean Fisheries, and Precious Coral Fisheries
Document Number: E6-15066
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this final rule to amend three fishery management plans (FMPs) to include fisheries and waters around the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA). These amendments affect United States domestic fisheries that offload or operate in Federal waters around the CNMI and the PRIA. These amendments establish new permitting and reporting requirements for vessel operators targeting bottomfish species around the PRIA to improve understanding of the ecology of these species and the activities and harvests of the vessel operators that target them. They also establish new permitting and reporting requirements for vessel operators targeting crustacean species and precious corals around the CNMI and PRIA.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Professional Development Workshops and Formal Evaluation of NOAA Educational Materials
Document Number: E6-15036
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Regional Economic Data Collection Program for Southwest Alaska
Document Number: E6-15034
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Southeast Region Bottlenose Dolphin Conservation Outreach Survey
Document Number: E6-15033
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Coral Reefs-Economic Valuation Study
Document Number: E6-15032
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-12
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Marine Mammals; File No. 1070-1783
Document Number: E6-14997
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that a permit held by Dr. Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez, Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington (File No. 1070-1783) to conduct scientific research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) has been amended.
Marine Mammals; File No. 774-1847
Document Number: E6-14987
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program (Rennie Holt, Ph.D., Principal Investigator), 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 has been issued a permit to conduct research on Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx).
Endangered and Threatened Species: Recovery Plan Preparation for 5 Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of Pacific Salmon and 5 Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of Steelhead Trout
Document Number: E6-14986
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces its intent to develop recovery plans for 5 ESUs of Pacific salmon and 5 DPSs of steelhead trout in California that are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and also requests information from the public. NMFS is required by the ESA to develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of ESA-listed species. NMFS is coordinating with state, Federal, tribal, and local entities in California and intends to produce draft recovery plans by June 2007.
North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-14982
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Aleutian Island Ecosystem Team will meet in Seattle, WA.
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-14981
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Dogfish Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting.
Notice of Intent to Conduct Public Scoping Meeting and Prepare an Environmental Document for the Stanford University Habitat Conservation Plan, Palo Alto, CA
Document Number: 06-7572
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) advise interested parties of their intent to conduct public scoping meeting under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) necessary to gather information to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS), (collectively referred to as ``environmental document''). The Services anticipate permit applications from Stanford University (Stanford) submitted under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the incidental take of federally listed species. The permit applications would be associated with the Stanford University Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) at Stanford in Palo Alto, CA. We provide this notice to: describe the proposed Plan and possible alternatives; advise other Federal and state agencies, affected Tribes, and the public of our intent to prepare an environmental document; announce the initiation of a public scoping period; obtain information to assist the Services in determining whether to write an EA or EIS; and obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be included in the environmental document.
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 06-7571
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time, September 6, 2006. This adjustment is necessary to allow a 12-hour fishery for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA to resume, without exceeding the 2006 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 06-7570
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chiniak Gully Research Area for Vessels Using Trawl Gear
Document Number: 06-7569
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is rescinding the trawl closure in the Chiniak Gully Research Area. This action is necessary to allow vessels using trawl gear to participate in directed fishing for groundfish in the Chiniak Gully Research Area after the completion of NMFS research on September 6, 2006.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 06-7568
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-11
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Harbor Redevelopment Project, Moss Landing Harbor, California
Document Number: E6-14905
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS has received a request from the Moss Landing Harbor District (MLHD) to take small numbers of Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions by harassment incidental to the harbor redevelopment project in Moss Landing Harbor, California. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to MLHD to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of these two species of pinnipeds during the next 12 months.
Marine Mammals and Endangered Species; National Marine Fisheries Service File No. 116-1691; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service File No. PRT-062475
Document Number: 06-7521
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Notice is hereby given that Sea World, Inc., 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821 (Todd Robeck, D.V.M., Ph.D., Responsible Party and Principal Investigator) has been issued a permit to collect, receive, import, and export marine mammal specimens for scientific research purposes.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Closure of the Closed Area II Scallop Access Area to Scallop Vessels
Document Number: 06-7513
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-08
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces the closure of the Closed Area II Scallop Access Area (CAII) to scallop vessels until February 28, 2007. This closure, effective 0001 hours on September 6, 2006, is based on a determination by the Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (RA), that scallop vessels are projected to catch the yellowtail flounder (YT) bycatch total allowable catch (TAC) for CAII by September 6, 2006. Upon closure, scallop vessels are prohibited from being in CAII until February 28, 2007. This action is being taken to prevent the scallop fleet from exceeding the YT TAC allocated to CAII during the 2006 fishing year in accordance with the regulations implemented under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), Northeast (NE) Multispecies FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
Document Number: E6-14786
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene a public meeting of the Habitat Protection Advisory Panel (AP).
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument
Document Number: C6-7235
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 06-7491
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA.
Initiation of Review of the Management Plan/Regulations of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary; Intent To Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan; Scoping Meetings
Document Number: 06-7481
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS or Sanctuary) was designated in January 1992, and consists of three separate areas in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico, known as East Flower Garden, West Flower Garden and Stetson Banks. The present management plan for the Sanctuary was completed at the time of designation. In accordance with Section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended, (NMSA) (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is initiating a review of the management plan, to evaluate substantive progress toward implementing the goals for the Sanctuary, and to make revisions to the plan and regulations as necessary to fulfill the purposes and policies of the NMSA. The proposed revised management plan will likely involve changes to existing policies and regulations of the Sanctuary, to address contemporary issues and challenges, and to better protect and manage the Sanctuary's resources and qualities. The review process is composed of four major stages: Information collection and characterization; preparation and release of a draft management plan/environmental impact statement, and any proposed amendments to the regulations; public review and comment; and preparation and release of a final management plan/environmental impact statement, and any final amendments to the regulations. NOAA anticipates completion of the revised management plan and concomitant documents will require approximately eighteen to twenty-four months. NOAA will conduct public scoping meetings to gather information and other comments from individuals, organizations, and government agencies on the scope, types and significance of issues related to the Sanctuary's management plan and regulations. The scoping meetings are scheduled for October 17, 19, and 24, 2006, as detailed below.
Initiation of Review of the Management Plan/Regulations of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary; Intent To Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan; Scoping Meetings
Document Number: 06-7480
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-09-07
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS or Sanctuary) was designated on October 7, 2000. The present management plan was written as part of the sanctuary designation process and published in the Final Environmental Impact Statement in 1999. In accordance with section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended, (NMSA) (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is initiating a review of the management plan, to evaluate substantive progress toward implementing the goals for the Sanctuary, and to make revisions to the plan and regulations as necessary to fulfill the purposes and policies of the NMSA. The proposed revised management plan will likely involve changes to existing policies and regulations of the Sanctuary, to address contemporary issues and challenges, and to better protect and manage the Sanctuary's resources and qualities. The review process is composed of four major stages: information collection and characterization; preparation and release of a draft management plan/environmental impact statement, and any proposed amendments to the regulations; public review and comment; and preparation and release of a final management plan/environmental impact statement, and any final amendments to the regulations. NOAA anticipates completion of the revised management plan and concomitant documents will require approximately eighteen to twenty-four months. NOAA will conduct public scoping meetings to gather information and other comments from individuals, organizations, and government agencies on the scope, types and significance of issues related to the Sanctuary's management plan and regulations. The scoping meetings are scheduled for September 25, 26, 28 and 29, 2006, as detailed below.
Endangered Species; File No. 1580
Document Number: E6-14713
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that Dynergy Northeast Generation, Inc. (Dynergy), 992-994 River Road, Newburgh, NY 12550, has applied in due form for a permit to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for purposes of scientific research.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; Proposed Total Allowable Landings
Document Number: E6-14712
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS proposes a change to the annual total allowable landings (TAL) for the tilefish fishery. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) met in May 2006 and recommended an increase in the TAL from 905 mt to 987 mt. This recommendation is, in part, a result of positive findings from the 2005 tilefish stock assessment that concluded that the tilefish stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. This action complies with the Fishery Management Plan for the Tilefish Fishery (FMP).
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-14679
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of the Hawaii members of the Council's Bottomfish Plan Team (BPT).
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: E6-14662
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (Amendment 1), incorporating the draft Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS), Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), for Secretarial review and is requesting comments from the public. The proposed measures include: A limited access program; an open access incidental catch permit; a change in the management area boundaries; establishment of a purse seine/fixed gear-only area; establishment of a Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) proxy; an approach to determining the distribution of area-specific total allowable catches (TACs); a multi- year specifications process; a research quota set-aside for herring- related research; set-asides for fixed gear fisheries; a change in the midwater trawl gear definition; and additional measures that could be implemented through the framework adjustment process. The intent of this action is to provide efficient management of the Atlantic herring fishery and to meet conservation objectives.
Endangered Species; File No. 1563
Document Number: E6-14661
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice is hereby given that North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF; Mr. Blake Price, Principal Investigator), P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557, has been issued a permit to take threatened and endangered sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Document Number: 06-7447
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery category in the BSAI.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 06-7428
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 72 hours. This action is necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the Quarter III Fishery for Loligo Squid
Document Number: 06-7427
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will be closed effective 0001 hours, September 2, 2006. Vessels issued a Federal permit to harvest Loligo squid may not retain or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of Loligo squid per trip for the remainder of the quarter (through September 30, 2006). This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from exceeding its Quarter III quota and to allow for effective management of this stock.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 06-7425
Type: Rule
Date: 2006-09-06
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 72 hours. This action is necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.
Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-14614
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's St. Croix exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Working Group will hold a meeting.
New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: E6-14613
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Monkfish Oversight Committee in September, 2006 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
Announcement of South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Revised Management Plan
Document Number: E6-14603
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-05
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 (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce has approved the revised management plan for the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (Reserve). The Reserve was designated in 1974 pursuant to Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1461 and has been operating under the management plan revised in 1994. Pursuant to 15 CFR Section 921.33(c), a state must revise their management plan every five years. The submission of this plan fulfills this requirement for the period from 2006-2011 and sets a course for successful implementation of the goals and objectives of the reserve. The mission of the South Slough reserve management plan is to improve the understanding and stewardship of Pacific Northwest estuaries and coastal watersheds through site-based estuarine research, stewardship and education. The management plan identifies nine priority management issues that are addressed through reserve programs. These priority issues are (1) invasive species, (2) water pollution, (3) threatened and endangered species, (4) commercial oyster cultivation, (5) vegetation and sediment management, (6) forest management and fire, (7) harvests of secondary forest products, (8) disaster prevention and response, and (9) archeological artifacts and historic structures. South Slough reserve's management plan addresses these issues with specific programs for resource management and protection, research and monitoring, education and training, public access and visitor use, program administration, and partnerships and regional coordination. The plan identifies management goals, priority resource management issues or threats that these goals must address, and specific strategies to accomplish these goals. The resource management and protection program addresses issues such as developing a systematic process to assess ecological health of the reserve, implementing resource management strategies, developing land use policies on the reserve, implementing the reserve Cooperative Plan for Watershed Conservation, assisting with the revision of the trail master plan, enhancing the application of GIS to stewardship priorities, improving restoration monitoring capacity, and enhancing community involvement in coastal stewardship. The research and monitoring program supports research focused on estuarine ecology and assessments of functional biotic diversity, investigation of links between land-margin ecosystem elements, and evaluation of the effects of human disturbance within estuaries. Staff, graduate students, and visiting researchers conduct monitoring and research within the watersheds and boundaries of the reserve and use GIS to map critical habitats and hydrology and hydrodynamic processes. The education and training program at the reserve targets audiences of all ages and backgrounds for traditional, experiential, training and outreach opportunities. The education program is also upgrading and expanding the Reserve's exhibitry to better interpret scientific data collected by the research program, enhancing methods to engage middle and high school audiences, evaluate program offerings, implement a school-to-work educational experience, update information for visitors, and enhance program participation. The coastal Training Program will focus on identifying the needs of coastal decision makers (CDM's), conducting training workshops for CDM's, testing and adapting an Inquiry-Based Information Services model to identify information gaps and develop demonstration projects, conducting evaluations to measure the effectiveness of training and outreach programs, and developing an internet-based training and information program for CDM's. The public access and facilities priorities at the reserve includes assessing opportunities to enhance access to the southern end of the reserve, establishing a visitor center/office in Charleston, revising the facilities master plan, establishing a facilities maintenance and replacement schedule, and reducing operations costs through innovative energy oriented technologies. Visitor use policies are designed to provide for compatible use and protection of valuable natural resources. The administration program ensures the staffing and budget is adequate to carry out the goals and objectives of the plan. Situated within its parent agency, Oregon Department of State Lands, the administrative staff develops stable funding and grant match opportunities and manages grants and cooperative agreements effectively and efficiently. Priorities include developing a volunteer program, a communication plan, a plan to enhance information and communication technology, evaluating the need to revise the reserve's Administrative Rules, and developing facility use policies.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Notice of Availability for Amendment 16-4 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
Document Number: E6-14558
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2006-09-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 16-4 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Secretarial review. Amendment 16-4 would modify the FMP to implement revised rebuilding plans for seven overfished species: bocaccio, canary rockfish, cowcod, darkblotched rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, widow rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish. Amendment 16-4 is intended to respond to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals orders to establish rebuilding plans that rebuild overfished stocks as soon as possible, taking into account the status and biology of the stocks, the needs of fishing communities, and the interaction of the overfished stocks within the marine environment.
Announcement of Funding Opportunity for the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program
Document Number: 06-7395
Type: Notice
Date: 2006-09-01
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOS/OCRM is soliciting coastal and estuarine land conservation acquisition projects from eligible coastal states. The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) was established ``for the purpose of protecting important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from their natural or recreational state to other uses.'' This announcement solicits proposals for land acquisition projects, up to 3 years in duration, with the purpose of protecting important coastal and estuarine areas. Project proposals should reflect priorities identified in an approved state CELC plan or, if a state's plan has not been completed, by the state's approved coastal management program. Eligible coastal states may submit up to three project proposals with a requested funding level not to exceed $3,000,000 per project.
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