National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration December 27, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, NMFS, announce the extension of the comment period for the receipt of 14 (Permit Numbers 23271, 23276, 23278, 23279, 23280, 23284, 23285, 23286, 23287, 23288, 23289, 23290, 23291, 23434) applications for enhancement of survival permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and proposed entry into an associated Template Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) between the applicants and NMFS. The notice of receipt for the 14 applications published on October 15, 2019. The proposed enhancement of survival permits and Agreement are intended to promote the survival and recovery of the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU), which is listed as threatened under the ESA. On November 4, 2019, we announced the extension of the comment period to December 31, 2019. We continue to solicit review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the applications and associated documents. The close of the comment period is being extended from December 31, 2019, to February 15, 2020 to provide additional opportunity for public comment.

In accordance with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Atlantic Coastal Act), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) has determined that the Commonwealth of Virginia has failed to carry out its responsibilities under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Interstate Fishery Management Plan (ISFMP) for Atlantic Menhaden and that the measure Virginia has failed to implement and enforce is necessary for the conservation of the Atlantic menhaden resource. This determination is consistent with the findings of the Commission on October 31, 2019. Pursuant to the Atlantic Coastal Act, a Federal moratorium on fishing for Atlantic menhaden in Virginia state waters and possession and landing of Atlantic menhaden harvested in Virginia State waters is hereby declared and will be effective on June 17, 2020. The moratorium will be terminated when the Commission notifies the Secretary that Virginia is found to have come back into compliance with the Commission's ISFMP for Atlantic menhaden.