80 FR 75856 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 233 (December 4, 2015)

Page Range		75856-75857
FR Document		2015-30674

NMFS announces the availability of the ``Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC).'' 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 in NOAA's Pacific Islands Region.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 233 (Friday, December 4, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 233 (Friday, December 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75856-75857]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30674]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE333


Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by 
the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of the ``Draft Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research 
Conducted and Funded by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 
(PIFSC).'' 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 in NOAA's Pacific Islands 
Region.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than January 
4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA should be addressed to: NOAA IRC, NMFS/
PIFSC/Director's Office, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. #176, Honolulu, HI 
96818. The mailbox address for providing email comments is 
[email protected]. NMFS is not responsible for email comments sent to

[[Page 75857]]

addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via email, 
including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size. A 
copy of the DPEA may be obtained by writing to the address specified 
above, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet at: http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/nepa Documents cited in this notice may also be 
viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the 
aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Vandersande, (808) 725-5333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PIFSC is the research arm of NMFS in the 
Pacific Islands Region. PIFSC conducts research and provides scientific 
advice to manage fisheries and conserve protected species throughout 
the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, including the State of Hawaii, 
Territory of American Samoa, Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the 
Mariana Islands, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. Research is aimed 
at monitoring fish stock recruitment, survival, and biological rates; 
abundance and geographic distribution of both pelagic and insular 
marine species; and providing other scientific information needed to 
improve our understanding of complex marine ecological processes. 
Primary research activities include: Mid-water trawl surveys to support 
assessments of pelagic stages of insular species and other mesopelagic 
organisms; dive surveys to conduct coral reef ecosystem assessment and 
monitoring; hook-and-line surveys to collect fishery life history 
samples and deploy telemetry tags; marine debris research and removal 
activities; advanced sampling technology surveys (e.g. stereo-video 
cameras, autonomous underwater vehicles) to assess and monitor marine 
organisms and habitats; longline surveys for life history studies and 
bycatch reduction research; ecosystem surveys using active acoustic 
systems, plankton nets, and other oceanographic equipment; and 
collaborative research in foreign territorial seas. 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 related 
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 currently evaluated 
in the DPEA:
     No-Action/Status Quo Alternative--Conduct Federal 
Fisheries and Ecosystem Research with Scope and Protocols Similar to 
Past Effort.
     Preferred Alternative--Conduct Federal Fisheries and 
Ecosystem Research (New Suite of Research) with Mitigation for MMPA and 
ESA Compliance.
     Modified Research Alternative-- Conduct Federal Fisheries 
and Ecosystem Research (New Suite of Research) with Additional 
Mitigation.
     No Research Alternative--No Fieldwork for Federal 
Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted or Funded by PIFSC.
    The first three alternatives include a program of fisheries and 
ecosystem research projects conducted or funded by the PIFSC as the 
primary federal action. Because this primary action is connected to a 
secondary federal action (also called a connected action under NEPA), 
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 protected species that occur 
in PIFSC 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 field 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 three 
main geographic regions in which PIFSC surveys are conducted. NMFS 
requests comments on the DPEA for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research 
Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific 
Islands Fisheries Science Center. Please include, with your comments, 
any supporting data or literature citations that may be informative in 
substantiating your comment.

    Dated: November 23, 2015.
Michael P. Seki,
Director, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-30674 Filed 12-3-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

75856 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 233 / Friday, December 4, 2015 / Notices

limited to those raised in the respective PRC-wide rate.24 The Department Background
case briefs. The Department intends to intends to issue appropriate assessment Scope of the Order
issue the final results of this review, instructions directly to CBP 15 days Rescission of Review in Part
after publication of the final results of Preliminary Determination of No Shipments
including the results of its analysis of
Affiliation and Single Entity
issues raised by parties in their review. Discussion of the Methodology
comments, within 120 days after the Cash Deposit Requirements Non-Market Economy Country Status
publication of these preliminary results, Separate Rates
pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the The following cash deposit Surrogate Country
Act and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(1). requirements will be effective upon Fair Value Comparisons
publication of the final results of this Determination of Comparison Method
Assessment Rates administrative review for shipments of Results of the Differential Pricing Analysis
Upon issuing the final results of the subject merchandise from the PRC U.S. Price
review, the Department will determine, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, Normal Value
for consumption on or after the Factor Valuations
and CBP shall assess, antidumping
publication date, as provided by section Currency Conversion
duties on all appropriate entries covered Recommendation
by this review.20 If a respondent’s 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) For subject
merchandise exported by the companies [FR Doc. 2015–30715 Filed 12–3–15; 8:45 am]
weighted-average dumping margin is
above de minimis (i.e., 0.5 percent) in listed above that have separate rates, the BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P

the final results of this review, we will cash deposit rate will be that established
calculate an importer-specific in the final results of review (except, if
the rate is zero or de minimis, then zero DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
assessment rate on the basis of the ratio
of the total amount of dumping cash deposit will be required); (2) for
previously investigated or reviewed PRC National Oceanic and Atmospheric
calculated for the importer’s examined Administration
sales and the total entered value of those and non-PRC exporters not listed above
sales in accordance with 19 CFR that received a separate rate in a prior RIN 0648–XE333
351.212(b)(1). Specifically, the segment of this proceeding, the cash
deposit rate will continue to be the Notice of Availability of a Draft
Department will apply the assessment
existing exporter-specific rate; (3) for all Programmatic Environmental
rate calculation method adopted in
PRC exporters of subject merchandise Assessment for Fisheries and
Final Modification for Reviews.21 Where
that have not been found to be entitled Ecosystem Research Conducted and
an importer- (or customer-) specific ad
to a separate rate, the cash deposit rate Funded by the National Marine
valorem rate is zero or de minimis, we
will be that for the PRC-wide entity; and Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands
will instruct CBP to liquidate
(4) for all non-PRC exporters of subject Fisheries Science Center
appropriate entries without regard to
antidumping duties.22 merchandise which have not received
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
their own rate, the cash deposit rate will
For Husqvarna (Hebei) Co., Ltd., for Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
be the rate applicable to the PRC
which the review is rescinded, the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
exporter that supplied that non-PRC
antidumping duty shall be assessed at Commerce.
exporter. These deposit requirements,
the rate equal to the cash deposit of the ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft
when imposed, shall remain in effect
estimated antidumping duty required at Programmatic Environmental
until further notice.
the time of entry, or withdrawal from Assessment; request for comments.
warehouse, for consumption, in Notification to Importers
accordance with 19 CFR 351.212(c)(2). SUMMARY: NMFS announces the
This notice serves as a preliminary
We will instruct CBP accordingly. availability of the ‘‘Draft Programmatic
reminder to importers of their
Pursuant to the Department’s Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for
responsibility under 19 CFR
assessment practice in NME cases,23 for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research
351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate
entries that were not reported in the regarding the reimbursement of Conducted and Funded by the Pacific
U.S. sales databases submitted by antidumping duties prior to liquidation Islands Fisheries Science Center
companies individually examined of the relevant entries during this POR. (PIFSC).’’ Publication of this notice
during this review, the Department will Failure to comply with this requirement begins the official public comment
instruct CBP to liquidate such entries at could result in the Department’s period for this DPEA. The purpose of
the PRC-wide rate. In addition, if the presumption that reimbursement of the DPEA is to evaluate, in compliance
Department determines that an exporter antidumping duties occurred and the with the National Environmental Policy
under review had no shipments of the subsequent assessment of doubled Act (NEPA), the potential direct,
subject merchandise, any suspended antidumping duties. indirect, and cumulative impacts of
entries that entered under that We are issuing and publishing these conducting and funding fisheries and
exporter’s case number (i.e., at that results in accordance with sections ecosystem research in NOAA’s Pacific
exporter’s rate) will be liquidated at the 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 Islands Region.
CFR 351.213. DATES: Comments and information must
20 See 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1). be received no later than January 4,
Dated: November 30, 2015.
21 See Antidumping Proceeding: Calculation of 2016.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

the Weighted-Average Dumping Margin and
Christian Marsh,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA
Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping Duty
Proceedings; Final Modification, 77 FR 8103 and Countervailing Duty Operations. should be addressed to: NOAA IRC,
(February 14, 2012) (Final Modification for NMFS/PIFSC/Director’s Office, 1845
Reviews). Appendix—List of Topics Discussed in Wasp Blvd., Bldg. #176, Honolulu, HI
22 See 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2). the Preliminary Decision Memorandum 96818. The mailbox address for
23 For a full discussion of this practice, see Non-

Market Economy Antidumping Proceedings: Summary providing email comments is
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 76 FR 65694 pifsc.nepa@noaa.gov. NMFS is not
(October 24, 2011). 24 Id. responsible for email comments sent to

VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:41 Dec 03, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04DEN1.SGM 04DEN1

Document Created: 2015-12-14 13:52:49
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 13:52:49

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 January 4, 2016.
Contact		Matthew Vandersande, (808) 725-5333.
FR Citation		80 FR 75856
RIN Number		0648-XE33

80 FR 75856 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 233 (December 4, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration