80 FR 52250 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

Page Range		52250-52251
FR Document		2015-21356

NMFS announces the availability of the ``Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC).'' Publication of this notice begins the official public comment period for this DPEA. The purpose of the DPEA is to evaluate, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of conducting and funding fisheries and ecosystem research along the U.S. West Coast, including the Northern California Large Marine Ecosystem (NCLME), Puget Sound, and the Lower Columbia River Research Area (LCRRA).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52250-52251]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21356]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE123


Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the National 
Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of the ``Draft Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for Fisheries Research Conducted and 
Funded by the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC).'' Publication 
of this notice begins the official public comment period for this DPEA. 
The purpose of the DPEA is to evaluate, in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the potential direct, indirect, and 
cumulative impacts of conducting and funding fisheries and ecosystem 
research along the U.S. West Coast, including the Northern California 
Large Marine Ecosystem (NCLME), Puget Sound, and the Lower Columbia 
River Research Area (LCRRA).

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than 
September 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA should be addressed to Kurt Fresh, 
Manager, Estuarine and Ocean Ecology Program, NMFS, Northwest Fisheries 
Science Center. The mailbox address for providing physical comments is 
2725 Montlake Boulevard, East Seattle, WA

[[Page 52251]]

98112. The email address is [email protected]. NMFS is not 
responsible for email comments sent to addresses other than the one 
provided here.
    Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including 
all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments 
to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. All personal identifying information 
(e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be 
publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Fresh, Northwest Fisheries 
Science Center, NMFS, (206) 860-3200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability

    An electronic copy of the DPEA may be obtained by writing to the 
address specified above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) or by 
visiting the internet at: http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/news/features/incidental_take_NOA. Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, 
by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned 
address.

Background

    The NWFSC is the research arm of NMFS in the Northwest Region of 
the Continental United States. The NWFSC conducts research and provides 
scientific advice to manage fisheries and conserve protected species in 
the Pacific Ocean (primarily the Continental Shelf Region of the 
Pacific Coast), Puget Sound, and Lower Columbia River Estuary (below 
Bonneville Dam). Research is aimed at monitoring fish stock 
recruitment, survival and biological rates, abundance and geographic 
distribution of species and stocks, and providing other scientific 
information needed to improve our understanding of complex marine 
ecological processes. Primary research activities include: Studies of 
early marine life and mortality processes of juvenile Pacific 
salmonids, bottom trawl surveys to support assessments of multiple 
groundfish species, stock assessments of Pacific hake, studies to 
support salmon recovery efforts in Puget Sound and the Columbia River 
Estuary, telemetry studies of numerous species, and extensive 
cooperative research projects designed to address current or emerging 
information needs of the commercial fishing industry such as bycatch 
reduction efforts. Many research activities also include active 
acoustic systems, plankton nets, and other oceanographic equipment that 
provide important data on the status and trends of marine ecosystems 
important for various fisheries and natural resource management 
processes.
    NMFS has prepared the DPEA under NEPA to evaluate several 
alternatives for conducting and funding fisheries and ecosystem 
research activities as the primary Federal action. Additionally in the 
DPEA, NMFS evaluates a secondary Federal action--also called a 
``connected action'' under 40 CFR 1508.25 of the Council on 
Environmental Quality's regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)--which is the proposed 
promulgation of regulations and authorization of the take of marine 
mammals incidental to the fisheries research under the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally, because the proposed research 
activities occur in areas inhabited by species of marine mammals, 
birds, sea turtles, and fish listed under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) as threatened or endangered, this DPEA evaluates activities that 
could result in unintentional takes of ESA-listed marine species.
    The following four alternatives are evaluated in the DPEA:
    1. No-Action/Status Quo Alternative--Conduct Federal Fisheries and 
Ecosystem Research with Scope and Protocols Similar to Past Effort;
    2. Preferred Alternative--Conduct Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem 
Research (New Suite of Research) with Mitigation for MMPA and ESA 
Compliance;
    3. Modified Research Alternative--Conduct Federal Fisheries and 
Ecosystem Research (New Suite of Research) with Additional Mitigation; 
and
    4. No Research Alternative--No Fieldwork for Federal Fisheries and 
Ecosystem Research Conducted or Funded by NWFSC.
    The first three alternatives include a program of fisheries and 
ecosystem research projects conducted or funded by the NWFSC as the 
primary Federal action. Because this primary action is connected to a 
secondary Federal action to consider authorizing incidental take of 
marine mammals under the MMPA, NMFS must identify as part of this 
evaluation ``(t)he means of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impact on the species or stock and its habitat.'' (Section 101(a)(5)(A) 
of the MMPA [16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.]). NMFS must therefore identify and 
evaluate a reasonable range of mitigation measures to minimize impacts 
to marine mammals that occur in NWFSC research areas. These mitigation 
measures are considered as part of the identified alternatives in order 
to evaluate their effectiveness to minimize potential adverse 
environmental impacts. The three action alternatives also include 
mitigation measures intended to minimize potentially adverse 
interactions with other protected species that occur within the action 
area. Protected species include all marine mammals, which are covered 
under the MMPA, all species listed under the ESA, and bird species 
protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
    NMFS is also evaluating a second type of no-action alternative that 
considers no federal funding for fieldwork on fisheries and ecosystem 
research activities. This is called the No Research Alternative to 
distinguish it from the No-Action/Status Quo Alternative. The No-
Action/Status Quo Alternative will be used as the baseline to compare 
all of the other alternatives.
    Potential direct and indirect effects on the environment are 
evaluated under each alternative in the DPEA. The environmental effects 
on the following resources are considered: physical environment, 
special resource areas, fish, marine mammals, birds, sea turtles, 
invertebrates, and the social and economic environment. Cumulative 
effects of external actions and the contribution of fisheries research 
activities to the overall cumulative impact on the aforementioned 
resources is also evaluated in the DPEA for the geographic regions in 
which NWFSC surveys are conducted.

Information Solicited

    NMFS requests comments on the DPEA for Fisheries Research Conducted 
and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest 
Fisheries Science Center. Please include, with your comments, any 
supporting data or literature citations that may be informative in 
substantiating your comment.

    Dated: August 19, 2015.
Mark Strom,
Deputy Director, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21356 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

52250 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 167 / Friday, August 28, 2015 / Notices

Friday, September 25, 2015. Please see for this type of calibration service. NIST that is compliant with the REAL ID Act
the registration instructions in the is seeking information that responds to of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–13), or by a state
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section the questions listed below. that has an extension for REAL ID
below. (1) What is your opinion of the quality compliance. NIST currently accepts
ADDRESSES: Written responses to this
and utility of the calibration services other forms of federal-issued
request for information should be performed by the Facility? identification in lieu of a state-issued
(2) What are the benefits of continuing driver’s license. For detailed
submitted to Dr. Michael Moldover,
the calibration services? information, please contact Arvella
Sensor Science Division of the Physical (3) What are your ideas about how to
Measurement Laboratory at the National Musselman at (301) 975–2165 or visit:
collaborate with members of the http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/
Institute of Standards and Technology, industry or research organizations to
100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8440, visitor/.
further the research efforts in the field
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, or by of cryogenic flow measurement, Richard Cavanagh,
electronic mail to Michael.Moldover@ including the development of methods Acting Associate Director for Laboratory
nist.gov. The public workshop will be to allow cryogenic flow meters to be Programs.
held at NIST’s campus in Boulder, calibrated at room temperatures? [FR Doc. 2015–21287 Filed 8–27–15; 8:45 am]
Colorado, which is located at 325 (4) What is your opinion of the BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, in creation of a new research consortium
Building 81, Room 81–1A116. for cryogenic flow measurement that
Registration will be available online at would be led by NIST? DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
http://www.nist.gov/allevents.cfm. (5) What is your opinion of the
Please note the campus admittance current or future need for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
instructions under the SUPPLEMENTARY development of dynamic weighing Administration
INFORMATION section of this notice. techniques for the calibration of RIN 0648–XE123
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For cryogenic flow meters beyond what is
further information, please contact Dr. currently used by industry? Notice of Availability of a Draft
Michael Moldover by mail to 100 (6) What is your opinion about Programmatic Environmental
Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8440, whether the Facility should be re- Assessment for Fisheries Research
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, or by established, either at NIST’s campus in Conducted and Funded by the National
electronic mail to Michael.Moldover@ Gaithersburg, Maryland, or at a different Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest
nist.gov. location? Fisheries Science Center
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIST’s Multiple responses from the same
Cryogenic Flow Measurement Facility organization are permitted. No business AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
(Facility), located on NIST’s campus in proprietary information should be Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Boulder, Colorado, provides the public included in any correspondence to NIST Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
with the service of calibrating and in response to this request for Commerce.
testing flow meters using a closed loop information. NIST will not treat any ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft
liquid-nitrogen flow system. The information provided in response to this Programmatic Environmental
Facility uses a dynamic weighing request for information as proprietary Assessment; request for comments.
system to measure liquid mass and to information. Any information received
by NIST in response to this request may SUMMARY: NMFS announces the
calculate total mass and volume flow
be used to communicate with the availability of the ‘‘Draft Programmatic
rates through a meter under test
responders regarding future projects. Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for
conditions. All measurements are
Public Workshop: NIST will hold a Fisheries Research Conducted and
traceable to the International System of
Units using standards maintained at public workshop to lead an open Funded by the Northwest Fisheries
NIST. Upon completion of a meter discussion with participants regarding Science Center (NWFSC).’’ Publication
calibration, NIST provides the customer the questions listed above. The meeting of this notice begins the official public
with a final report, tabulated data, and will be held at NIST’s campus in comment period for this DPEA. The
plots summarizing the results. Boulder, Colorado on Monday, purpose of the DPEA is to evaluate, in
The Facility has been in operation at September 28, 2015. Participants may compliance with the National
NIST for nearly fifty years under the attend the public workshop in person or Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
NIST Quality System (in conformance may participate virtually via web potential direct, indirect, and
with ISO/TEC 17025). The calibration of conferencing. All participants who wish cumulative impacts of conducting and
cryogenic flow meters is listed among to attend in person are required to funding fisheries and ecosystem
the NIST Calibration and Measurement register by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on research along the U.S. West Coast,
Capabilities (CMC) within the key Friday, September 25, 2015, at http:// including the Northern California Large
comparison database (KCDB) of the www.nist.gov/allevents.cfm. There is no Marine Ecosystem (NCLME), Puget
Bureau International des Poids et registration fee. NIST will provide Sound, and the Lower Columbia River
Mesures (BIPM). While it provides an registered participants with information Research Area (LCRRA).
important and unique service, NIST about how to access NIST’s campus in DATES: Comments and information must
plans to discontinue the operation of the Boulder, Colorado to attend in person be received no later than September 28,
Cryogenic Flow Measurement Facility and how to access the web conference 2015.
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

in Boulder at the end of September to participate virtually. For participants ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA
2015. The Facility’s current location attending in person, please note that should be addressed to Kurt Fresh,
will be used for NIST’s new federal agencies, including NIST, can Manager, Estuarine and Ocean Ecology
Communication Technology Laboratory. only accept a state-issued driver’s Program, NMFS, Northwest Fisheries
The purpose of this request for license or identification card for access Science Center. The mailbox address for
information is to determine the level of to federal facilities if such license or providing physical comments is 2725
interest and the needs of the industry identification card is issued by a state Montlake Boulevard, East Seattle, WA

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:04:59
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:04:59

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 of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment; request for comments.
Dates		Comments and information must be received no later than September 28, 2015.
Contact		Kurt Fresh, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, (206) 860-3200.
FR Citation		80 FR 52250
RIN Number		0648-XE12

80 FR 52250 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration