81 FR 2196 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Status Update on Preparation of Record of Decision, Mitchell Act Hatcheries Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 10 (January 15, 2016)

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Inform Columbia River Basin Hatchery Operations and the Funding of Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs in September 2014 (also known as the Mitchell Act Hatchery EIS). This notice serves as an update on preparation of the agency's record of decision (ROD).

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 2196]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00734]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE394


Endangered and Threatened Species; Status Update on Preparation 
of Record of Decision, Mitchell Act Hatcheries Environmental Impact 
Statement

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released its 
final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Inform Columbia River 
Basin Hatchery Operations and the Funding of Mitchell Act Hatchery 
Programs in September 2014 (also known as the Mitchell Act Hatchery 
EIS). This notice serves as an update on preparation of the agency's 
record of decision (ROD).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Dixon, (360) 534-9329 or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 3, 2004 (69 FR 53892), NMFS 
announced its intent to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and to conduct 
public scoping related to the allocation and distribution of Mitchell 
Act funds for Columbia River hatchery operations. Subsequently, in 
2009, NMFS announced its decision to expand the scope of the EIS to 
include analysis of the environmental effects of all hatchery programs 
in the Columbia River Basin, regardless of the hatchery funding source, 
in a way that would inform future NMFS decisions about Endangered 
Species Act compliances for all Columbia River hatchery programs (74 FR 
10724, March 12, 2009). A draft EIS was published in August 2010 (75 FR 
47591, August 6, 2010). The final EIS was published in September 2014 
(79 FR 54707, September 12, 2014) with a public review period through 
November 12, 2014.
    NMFS has been preparing its ROD through careful consideration of a 
range of comments received during public review of the final EIS. NMFS 
is also considering the anticipated effects of its preferred policy 
direction on species listed under the Endangered Species Act. It is 
anticipated that the ROD will be published in 2016.

    Dated: January 12, 2016.
Perry F.Gayaldo,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00734 Filed 1-14-16; 8:45 am]
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