80 FR 60132 - Notice of Intent To Conduct Scoping and To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 192 (October 5, 2015)

Page Range		60132-60134
FR Document		2015-25398

In accordance with section 304(a) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended, (NMSA) (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), and based on the resources and boundaries described in the community-based nomination submitted to NOAA on December 2, 2014 (www.nominate.noaa.gov/nominations), NOAA is initiating a process to consider designating an area of Wisconsin's Lake Michigan as a national marine sanctuary. The designation process, as required by the NMSA, will be conducted concurrently with a public process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). This notice also informs the public that NOAA will coordinate its responsibilities under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470) with its ongoing NEPA process, pursuant to 36 CFR 800.8(a), including the use of NEPA documents and public and stakeholder meetings to also meet the requirements of section 106. The public scoping process is intended to solicit information and comments on the range of issues and the significant issues to be analyzed in depth in an environmental impact statement related to designating this area as a national marine sanctuary. The results of this scoping process will assist NOAA in moving forward with the designation process and in formulating alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement and proposed regulations, including developing national marine sanctuary boundaries. It will also inform the initiation of any consultations with federal, state, or local agencies and other interested parties, as appropriate.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 192 (Monday, October 5, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60132-60134]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25398]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Notice of Intent To Conduct Scoping and To Prepare a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wisconsin--Lake 
Michigan National Marine Sanctuary

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct scoping, hold public scoping 
meetings and to prepare a draft environmental impact statement and 
management plan.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 304(a) of the National Marine 
Sanctuaries Act, as amended, (NMSA) (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), and based 
on the resources and boundaries described in the community-based 
nomination submitted to NOAA on December 2, 2014 
(www.nominate.noaa.gov/nominations), NOAA is initiating a process to 
consider designating an area of Wisconsin's Lake Michigan as a national 
marine sanctuary. The designation process, as required by the NMSA, 
will be conducted concurrently with a public process under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). This notice 
also informs the public that NOAA will coordinate its responsibilities 
under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 
U.S.C. 470) with its ongoing NEPA process, pursuant to 36 CFR 800.8(a), 
including the use of NEPA documents and public and stakeholder meetings 
to also meet the requirements of section 106. The public scoping 
process is intended to solicit information and comments on the range of 
issues and the significant issues to be analyzed in depth in an 
environmental impact statement related to designating this area as a 
national marine sanctuary. The results of this scoping process will 
assist NOAA in moving forward with the designation process and in 
formulating alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement 
and proposed regulations, including developing national marine 
sanctuary boundaries. It will also inform the initiation of any 
consultations with federal, state, or local agencies and other 
interested parties, as appropriate.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 15, 2016. Public scoping 
meetings will be held as detailed below:

(1) Manitowoc, WI

    Date: November 17, 2015.
    Location: Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
    Address: 75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI.
    Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

(2) Port Washington, WI

    Date: November 18, 2015.
    Location: Wilson House.
    Address: 200 N. Franklin St., Port Washington, WI.
    Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

(3) Sheboygan, WI

    Date: November 19, 2015.
    Location: University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan, Main Building, Wombat 
Room (Room 2114).
    Address: 1 University Drive, Sheboygan, WI.
    Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any one of the following 
methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov//#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2015-0112, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields and enter or attach 
your comments.
     Mail: Ellen Brody, Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, 4840 
S. State Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-9719.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (for example, name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
submitted by the commenter will be publicly accessible. NOAA will 
accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you 
wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brody, Great Lakes Regional 
Coordinator, 734-741-2270, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The NMSA authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to 
designate and protect as national marine sanctuaries areas of the 
marine environment that are of special national significance due to 
their conservation, recreational,

[[Page 60133]]

ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, 
educational, or esthetic qualities. Day-to-day management of national 
marine sanctuaries has been delegated by the Secretary to ONMS. The 
primary objective of the NMSA is to protect the biological and cultural 
resources of the sanctuary system, such as coral reefs, marine animals, 
historic shipwrecks, historic structures, and archaeological sites.
    The area being considered for designation as a national marine 
sanctuary is a region that includes 875 square miles of Lake Michigan 
waters and bottomlands adjacent to Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Ozaukee 
counties and the cities of Port Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and 
Two Rivers. It includes 80 miles of shoreline and extends 9 to 14 miles 
from the shoreline. The area contains an extraordinary collection of 
submerged maritime heritage resources as demonstrated by the listing of 
15 shipwrecks on the National Register of Historic Places. The area 
includes 39 known shipwrecks, 123 reported vessel losses, numerous 
other historic maritime-related features, and is adjacent to 
communities that have embraced their centuries-long relationship with 
Lake Michigan.
    This collection of shipwrecks is nationally significant because of 
the architectural and archaeological integrity of the shipwrecks, the 
representative nature of the sample of vessels, their location on one 
of the nation's most important transportation corridors, and the 
potential for the discovery of other shipwrecks and submerged pre-
contact cultural sites. The historic shipwrecks are representative of 
the vessels that sailed and steamed this corridor, carrying grain and 
raw materials east as other vessels came west loaded with coal. Many of 
the shipwrecks retain an unusual degree of architectural integrity, 
with 15 vessels that are intact. NOAA encourages the public to review 
the full nomination at www.nominate.noaa.gov/nominations.

II. Need for action

    Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, on behalf of the State of 
Wisconsin; the Cities of Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Port 
Washington; the Counties of Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Ozaukee submitted 
a nomination to NOAA on December 2, 2014 through the Sanctuary 
Nomination Process (SNP) (79 FR 33851) asking NOAA to consider 
designating this area of Wisconsin's Lake Michigan waters as a national 
marine sanctuary. The State of Wisconsin's selection of this geographic 
area for the nomination drew heavily from a 2008 report conducted by 
the Wisconsin History Society and funded by the Wisconsin Coastal 
Management Program (Wisconsin's Historic Shipwrecks: An Overview and 
Analysis of Locations for a State/Federal Partnership with the National 
Marine Sanctuary Program, 2008). This report analyzed all Wisconsin 
shipwrecks in both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, concluding that the 
875-square-mile area in the nomination had the best potential for a 
national marine sanctuary designation based on the national 
significance of the shipwrecks. The nomination also identified 
opportunities for NOAA to strengthen and expand on resource protection, 
education, and research programs by state of Wisconsin agencies and in 
the four communities along the Lake Michigan coast.
    NOAA is initiating the process to designate this area as a national 
marine sanctuary based on the nomination submitted to the agency as 
part of the SNP. NOAA's review of the nomination against the criteria 
and considerations of the SNP, including the requirement for broad-
based community support indicated strong merit in proposing this area 
as a national marine sanctuary. NOAA completed its review of the 
nomination on February 5, 2015, and added the area to the inventory of 
nominations that are eligible for designation. Designation under the 
NMSA would allow NOAA to supplement and complement work by the State of 
Wisconsin and other federal agencies to protect this collection of 
nationally significant shipwrecks.

III. Process

    The process for designating the Wisconsin--Lake Michigan area as a 
national marine sanctuary includes the following stages:
    1. Public Scoping Process--Information collection and 
characterization, including the consideration of public comments 
received during scoping;
    2. Preparation and release of draft designation documents including 
a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that identifies boundary 
alternatives, a draft management plan (DMP), as well as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to define proposed sanctuary regulations. 
Draft documents would be used to initiate consultations with federal, 
state, or local agencies and other interested parties, as appropriate;
    3. Public review and comment on the DEIS, DMP and NPRM;
    4. Preparation and release of a final environmental impact 
statement, final management plan, including a response to public 
comments, with a final rule and regulations, if appropriate.
    With this notice, NOAA is initiating a public scoping process to:
    1. Gather information and public comments from individuals, 
organizations, and government agencies on the designation of the 
Wisconsin--Lake Michigan area as a national marine sanctuary based on 
the community-based nomination of December 2014, especially: (a) The 
spatial extent of the proposed boundary; and (b) the resources that 
would be protected;
    2. Help determine the scope and significance of issues to be 
addressed in the preparation of an environmental analysis under NEPA 
including socioeconomic impacts of designation, effects of designation 
on cultural and biological resources, and threats to resources within 
the proposed area;
    3. Help determine the proposed action and possible alternatives 
pursuant to NEPA and to conduct any appropriate consultations.

IV. Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act

    This notice confirms that NOAA will fulfill its responsibility 
under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) 
through the ongoing NEPA process, pursuant to 36 CFR 800.8(a) including 
the use of NEPA documents and public and stakeholder meetings to meet 
the section 106 requirements. The NHPA specifically applies to any 
agency undertaking that may affect historic properties. Pursuant to 36 
CFR 800.16(1)(1), historic properties includes: ``any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure or object included in, or 
eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places 
maintained by the Secretary of the Interior. The term includes 
artifacts, records, and remains that are related to and located within 
such properties. The term includes properties of traditional religious 
and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization and that meet the National Register criteria.'' In 
fulfilling its responsibility under the NHPA and NEPA, NOAA intends to 
identify consulting parties; identify historic properties and assess 
the effects of the undertaking on such properties; initiate formal 
consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory 
Council of Historic Preservation, and other consulting parties; involve 
the public in accordance with NOAA's NEPA procedures, and develop in 
consultation

[[Page 60134]]

with identified consulting parties alternatives and proposed measures 
that might avoid, minimize or mitigate any adverse effects on historic 
properties and describe them in any environmental assessment or draft 
environmental impact statement.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.

    Dated: September 30, 2015.
John Armor,
Acting Director for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
[FR Doc. 2015-25398 Filed 10-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P

60134 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 192 / Monday, October 5, 2015 / Notices

with identified consulting parties Complex FMP. They will also discuss telephone: (302) 674–2331 or on their
alternatives and proposed measures that priorities for 2016 and any other Web site at www.mafmc.org.
might avoid, minimize or mitigate any business. Other business may be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
adverse effects on historic properties discussed as necessary. Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive
and describe them in any environmental Although non-emergency issues not Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
assessment or draft environmental contained in this agenda may come Management Council, telephone: (302)
impact statement. before this group for discussion, those 526–5255.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. issues may not be the subject of formal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
action during this meeting. Action will MAFMC’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and
Dated: September 30, 2015. be restricted to those issues specifically
John Armor, Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee,
listed in this notice and any issues with the Atlantic States Marine
Acting Director for the Office of National arising after publication of this notice
Marine Sanctuaries. Fisheries Commission’s Summer
that require emergency action under Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
[FR Doc. 2015–25398 Filed 10–2–15; 8:45 am] section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Technical Committee, will hold a
BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P Act, provided the public has been workshop to review methods, datasets,
notified of the Council’s intent to take and considerations for recommending
final action to address the emergency. and evaluating recreational management
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Special Accommodations measures for these three species. The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric meeting will focus on specific technical
This meeting is physically accessible
Administration methods for calculating adjustments to
to people with disabilities. Requests for
bag limits, size limits, and seasonal
New England Fishery Management sign language interpretation or other
limits, as well as current and potential
Council; Public Meeting auxiliary aids should be directed to
supporting recreational datasets, tools,
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at
and models. The objective of the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to
meeting is for the Committees to
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and the meeting date.
identify potential improvements to the
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. current processes and methods for
Commerce.
Dated: September 29, 2015. recommending and evaluating
ACTION: Notice; public meeting. recreational measures. A detailed
Tracey L. Thompson,
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable agenda will be posted at
Management Council (Council) is Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. www.mafmc.org prior to the meeting.
scheduling a public meeting of its Joint [FR Doc. 2015–25138 Filed 10–2–15; 8:45 am] Special Accommodations
Skate Advisory Panel and Committee BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Meeting to consider actions affecting The meeting is physically accessible
New England fisheries in the exclusive to people with disabilities. Requests for
economic zone (EEZ). DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE sign language interpretation or other
Recommendations from this group will auxiliary aid should be directed to M.
be brought to the full Council for formal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Jan Saunders, (302) 526–5251, at least 5
consideration and action, if appropriate. Administration days prior to the meeting date.
DATES: This meeting will be held on Dated: September 30, 2015.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 9:30 RIN 0648–XE227 Tracey L. Thompson,
a.m. Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
[FR Doc. 2015–25240 Filed 10–2–15; 8:45 am]
the Radisson Airport Hotel, 2081 Post
Road, Warwick, RI 02886; telephone: AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries BILLING CODE 3510–22–P

(401) 739–3000; fax: (401) 732–9309. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Council address: New England Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Commerce. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. ACTION: Notice; public meeting. COMMISSION
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Market Risk Advisory Committee
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
New England Fishery Management Management Council’s (MAFMC)
AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading
Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea
Commission.
Bass Monitoring Committee will hold a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACTION: Notice of meeting.
public meeting.
Agenda DATES: The meeting will be held on SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures
The Skate Committee and Advisory Tuesday, October 27, 2015, from 10 a.m. Trading Commission (CFTC) announces
Panel will begin work on a framework to 5 p.m., and on Wednesday, October that on November 2, 2015, from 10:00
adjustment. The Committee and 28, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Market Risk
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Advisory Panel will consider updated ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Advisory Committee (MRAC) will hold
status determinations for the Northeast the Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore a public meeting at the CFTC’s
Skate Complex, recommendations for BWI Airport, 1671 West Nursery Road, Washington, DC, headquarters. The
the Skate Allowable Biological Catch Linthicum, MD 21090; telephone: (410) MRAC will be presented with and
(ABC), and associated possession limits. 859–8855. discuss the CCP Risk Management
The Committee and Advisory Panel will Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Subcommittee’s recommendations to
review PDT discussion of potential Management Council, 800 N. State the MRAC regarding how the CCP
restructuring of the Northeast Skate Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; default plans presented at the April 2,

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:53:36
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:53:36

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 intent to conduct scoping, hold public scoping meetings and to prepare a draft environmental impact statement and management plan.
Dates		Comments must be received by January 15, 2016. Public scoping meetings will be held as detailed below:
Contact		Ellen Brody, Great Lakes Regional Coordinator, 734-741-2270, [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 60132

80 FR 60132 - Notice of Intent To Conduct Scoping and To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 192 (October 5, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration