80 FR 37598 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Essential Fish Habitat Final 5-Year Review
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 126 (July 1, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 126 (July 1, 2015)
| Page Range | 37598-37599 | |
| FR Document | 2015-16191 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 37598-37599] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-16191] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XD990 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Essential Fish Habitat Final 5-Year Review AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of the Final Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 5-Year Review and intent to initiate an amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to revise Atlantic HMS EFH descriptions and designations. The purpose of the Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review was to gather relevant new information and determine whether revisions to existing EFH descriptions and designations are warranted, in compliance with the [[Page 37599]] requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and implementing regulations. NMFS has determined that revisions to EFH descriptions and designations are warranted, and an amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP will be initiated. DATES: The Final Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review will be available on July 1, 2015. ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Draft Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review may be obtained on the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/documents/2015_final_efh_review.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cooper at 301-427-8503, or Jennifer Cudney at 727-824-5399. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) includes provisions concerning the identification and conservation of EFH (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). EFH is defined in 50 CFR 600.10 as ``those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.'' NMFS must identify and describe EFH, minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH (Sec. 600.815(a)). EFH maps are presented online in the NMFS EFH Mapper (http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/protection/efh/habitatmapper.html). Federal agencies that authorize, fund, or undertake actions that may adversely affect EFH must consult with NMFS, and NMFS must provide conservation recommendations to Federal and state agencies regarding any such actions (Sec. 600.815(a)(9)). In addition to identifying and describing EFH for managed fish species, a review of EFH must be conducted every 5 years, and EFH provisions must be revised or amended, as warranted, based on the best available scientific information. The EFH 5-Year Review evaluates published scientific literature, unpublished scientific reports, information solicited from interested parties, and previously unavailable or inaccessible data. NMFS announced the initiation of this review and solicited information for this review from the public in a Federal Register notice on March 24, 2014 (79 FR 15959). The initial public review/submission period ended on May 23, 2014. The draft EFH 5- Year Review was made available in March 2015 and public comments on the draft were solicited in a Federal Register notice on March 5, 2015 (80 FR 11981). The public comment period for the draft EFH 5-Year Review ended on April 6, 2015. The final EFH 5-Year Review for Atlantic HMS includes tunas (bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack), oceanic sharks, swordfish, and billfishes (blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, roundscale spearfish, and longbill spearfish). The Atlantic HMS EFH 5- Year Review considers data regarding Atlantic HMS and their habitats that have become available since 2009 that were not included in Final Amendment 1 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS (Amendment 1; June 1, 2010, 75 FR 30484); Final Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (June 1, 2010, 75 FR 30484); and the interpretive rule that described EFH for roundscale spearfish (September 22, 2010, 75 FR 57698). NMFS analyzed the information gathered through the EFH review process in this final 5-year review and determined that revision of EFH is warranted, and an amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP will be undertaken. In reviewing literature since 2009, new data emerged for certain Atlantic HMS that warrant revision to those species' EFH geographic boundaries. For other Atlantic HMS, new data were either unavailable or it was determined that the new data did not warrant revisions to their EFH geographic boundaries. However, in the upcoming amendment, new observer, survey, and tag/recapture data collected since 2009 will be used to revise EFH geographic boundaries for all species. The current EFH methodology to designate EFH geographic boundaries for Atlantic HMS was first applied in Amendment 1, and Atlantic HMS EFH geographic boundaries have not since been updated using this methodology. It is unknown how data that have been consistently collected since 2009 (e.g., observer, survey, tag/ recapture) will impact EFH geographic boundaries. Therefore, all Atlantic HMS EFH geographic boundaries will be updated to see how these data will impact EFH geographic boundaries, even for species where there was limited or no new EFH data found in the literature review. The upcoming EFH amendment will consider all 10 EFH components, including individual species EFH descriptions, EFH conservation and enhancement recommendations for fishing and non-fishing effects on EFH, and identification of HAPCs, as well as scientific feedback and public comment. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq., and 1801 et seq. Dated: June 26, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-16191 Filed 6-30-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![37598 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Grid deployment and operations. The Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8200;
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final agenda will be posted on the Smart and NIST Transactive Energy, Acting Associate Director for Laboratory
Grid Web site at http://www.nist.gov/ Distributed Energy Resources, Programs.
smartgrid. Microgrid, and Smart City activities. [FR Doc. 2015–16190 Filed 6–30–15; 8:45 am]
DATES: The SGAC will meet on The agenda may change to BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
Thursday, July 30, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. accommodate Committee business. The
to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time and Friday, final agenda will be posted on the Smart
July 31, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 Grid Web site at http://www.nist.gov/ DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
p.m. Eastern time. smartgrid.
Individuals and representatives of National Oceanic and Atmospheric
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
organizations who would like to offer Administration
the Executive Conference Room,
Building 101 (Administration), National comments and suggestions related to the RIN 0648–XD990
Institute of Standards and Technology Committee’s affairs are invited to
(NIST), 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, request a place on the agenda by Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
Maryland 20899. Please note admittance submitting their request to Cuong Essential Fish Habitat Final 5-Year
instructions under the SUPPLEMENTARY Nguyen at cuong.nguyen@nist.gov or Review
INFORMATION section of this notice.
(301) 975–2254 no later than 5:00 p.m.
Eastern time, Friday, July 24, 2015. On AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Friday, July 31, 2015, approximately Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Cuong Nguyen, Smart Grid and Cyber- one-half hour will be reserved at the end Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Physical Systems Program Office, of the meeting for public comments, and Commerce.
National Institute of Standards and speaking times will be assigned on a ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail first-come, first-serve basis. The amount intent.
Stop 8200, Gaithersburg, MD 20899– of time per speaker will be determined
8200; telephone 301–975–2254, fax by the number of requests received, but SUMMARY: NMFS announces the
301–948–5668; or via email at is likely to be about three minutes each. availability of the Final Atlantic Highly
cuong.nguyen@nist.gov. Questions from the public will not be Migratory Species (HMS) Essential Fish
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The considered during this period. Speakers Habitat (EFH) 5-Year Review and intent
Committee was established in who wish to expand upon their oral to initiate an amendment to the 2006
accordance with the Federal Advisory statements, those who had wished to Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery
Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. speak but could not be accommodated Management Plan (FMP) to revise
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
App. The Committee is composed of on the agenda, and those who were Atlantic HMS EFH descriptions and
nine to fifteen members, appointed by unable to attend in person are invited to designations. The purpose of the
the Director of NIST, who were selected submit written statements to Mr. Cuong Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review was
on the basis of established records of Nguyen, Smart Grid and Cyber-Physical to gather relevant new information and
distinguished service in their Systems Program Office, National determine whether revisions to existing
professional community and their Institute of Standards and Technology, EFH descriptions and designations are
knowledge of issues affecting Smart 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8200, warranted, in compliance with the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 126 / Wednesday, July 1, 2015 / Notices 37599
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens 2015 (80 FR 11981). The public Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq., and 1801
Fishery Conservation and Management comment period for the draft EFH 5- et seq.
Act and implementing regulations. Year Review ended on April 6, 2015. Dated: June 26, 2015.
NMFS has determined that revisions to The final EFH 5-Year Review for Emily H. Menashes,
EFH descriptions and designations are Atlantic HMS includes tunas (bluefin, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
warranted, and an amendment to the bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP skipjack), oceanic sharks, swordfish, [FR Doc. 2015–16191 Filed 6–30–15; 8:45 am]
will be initiated. and billfishes (blue marlin, white BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DATES: The Final Atlantic HMS EFH 5- marlin, sailfish, roundscale spearfish,
Year Review will be available on July 1, and longbill spearfish). The Atlantic
2015. HMS EFH 5-Year Review considers data DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the regarding Atlantic HMS and their
Draft Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review habitats that have become available National Oceanic and Atmospheric
may be obtained on the internet at: since 2009 that were not included in Administration
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ Final Amendment 1 to the 2006 RIN 0648–XE021
documents/2015_final_efh_review.pdf. Consolidated Atlantic HMS
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (Amendment 1; June 1, 2010, 75 FR Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
Peter Cooper at 301–427–8503, or 30484); Final Environmental Impact General Provisions for Domestic
Jennifer Cudney at 727–824–5399. Statement for Amendment 3 to the 2006 Fisheries; Application for Exempted
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Consolidated HMS FMP (June 1, 2010, Fishing Permits
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 75 FR 30484); and the interpretive rule
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Conservation and Management Act that described EFH for roundscale
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) includes spearfish (September 22, 2010, 75 FR
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
provisions concerning the identification 57698).
Commerce.
and conservation of EFH (16 U.S.C. NMFS analyzed the information
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
1801 et seq.). EFH is defined in 50 CFR gathered through the EFH review
600.10 as ‘‘those waters and substrate process in this final 5-year review and SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional
necessary to fish for spawning, determined that revision of EFH is Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
breeding, feeding, or growth to warranted, and an amendment to the Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has
maturity.’’ NMFS must identify and 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP made a preliminary determination that
describe EFH, minimize to the extent will be undertaken. In reviewing an Exempted Fishing Permit application
practicable the adverse effects of fishing literature since 2009, new data emerged contains all of the required information
on EFH, and identify other actions to for certain Atlantic HMS that warrant and warrants further consideration. This
encourage the conservation and revision to those species’ EFH Exempted Fishing Permit would allow
enhancement of EFH (§ 600.815(a)). EFH geographic boundaries. For other eight commercial fishing vessels to fish
maps are presented online in the NMFS Atlantic HMS, new data were either outside of the limited access sea scallop
EFH Mapper (http:// unavailable or it was determined that regulations in support of a study on
www.habitat.noaa.gov/protection/efh/ the new data did not warrant revisions seasonal bycatch distribution and
habitatmapper.html). Federal agencies to their EFH geographic boundaries. optimal scallop meat yield on Georges
that authorize, fund, or undertake However, in the upcoming amendment, Bank.
actions that may adversely affect EFH new observer, survey, and tag/recapture Regulations under the Magnuson-
must consult with NMFS, and NMFS data collected since 2009 will be used Stevens Fishery Conservation and
must provide conservation to revise EFH geographic boundaries for Management Act require publication of
recommendations to Federal and state all species. The current EFH this notification to provide interested
agencies regarding any such actions methodology to designate EFH parties the opportunity to comment on
(§ 600.815(a)(9)). geographic boundaries for Atlantic HMS applications for proposed Exempted
In addition to identifying and was first applied in Amendment 1, and Fishing Permits.
describing EFH for managed fish Atlantic HMS EFH geographic DATES: Comments must be received on
species, a review of EFH must be boundaries have not since been updated or before July 16, 2015.
conducted every 5 years, and EFH using this methodology. It is unknown ADDRESSES: You may submit written
provisions must be revised or amended, how data that have been consistently comments by any of the following
as warranted, based on the best collected since 2009 (e.g., observer, methods:
available scientific information. The survey, tag/recapture) will impact EFH • Email: nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov.
EFH 5-Year Review evaluates published geographic boundaries. Therefore, all Include in the subject line ‘‘DA15–036
scientific literature, unpublished Atlantic HMS EFH geographic CFF Georges Bank Optimization Study
scientific reports, information solicited boundaries will be updated to see how EFP.’’
from interested parties, and previously these data will impact EFH geographic • Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional
unavailable or inaccessible data. NMFS boundaries, even for species where Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
announced the initiation of this review there was limited or no new EFH data Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
and solicited information for this review found in the literature review. Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
from the public in a Federal Register The upcoming EFH amendment will Mark the outside of the envelope
‘‘DA15–036 CFF Georges Bank
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
notice on March 24, 2014 (79 FR 15959). consider all 10 EFH components,
The initial public review/submission including individual species EFH Optimization Study EFP.’’
period ended on May 23, 2014. The descriptions, EFH conservation and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
draft EFH 5-Year Review was made enhancement recommendations for Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management
available in March 2015 and public fishing and non-fishing effects on EFH, Specialist, 978–282–8456.
comments on the draft were solicited in and identification of HAPCs, as well as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA
a Federal Register notice on March 5, scientific feedback and public comment. awarded the Coonamesset Farm
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:19:01
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:19:01
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability; notice of intent. | |
| Dates | The Final Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review will be available on July 1, 2015. | |
| Contact | Peter Cooper at 301-427-8503, or Jennifer Cudney at 727-824-5399. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 37598 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XD990 |
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