81 FR 26777 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 86 (May 4, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 86 (May 4, 2016)
| Page Range | 26777-26779 | |
| FR Document | 2016-10449 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 26777-26779] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-10449] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE601 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. This Exempted Fishing Permit would allow eight commercial fishing vessels to fish outside of the limited access sea scallop regulations in support of a study on seasonal bycatch distribution and optimal scallop meat yield on Georges Bank. [[Page 26778]] Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed Exempted Fishing Permits. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 19, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected]. Include in the subject line ``DA16-024 CFF Georges Bank Optimization Study EFP.'' Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``DA16-024 CFF Georges Bank Optimization Study EFP.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coonamesset Farm Foundation (CFF) has submitted a proposal titled ``Optimizing the Georges Bank Scallop Fishery by Maximizing Meat Yield and Minimizing Bycatch,'' that has been favorably reviewed and is pending final approval by NOAA's Grants Management Division under the 2016 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set- Aside (RSA) Program. CFF submitted a complete application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) on March 7, 2016. The project would look primarily at seasonal distribution of bycatch on the northern part of Georges Bank in relation to sea scallop meat weight yield while minimizing impacts to other stocks. Additional objectives include continued testing of a modified scallop dredge bag design to reduce flatfish bycatch and collecting biological samples to examine scallop meat quality and yellowtail flounder liver disease. Project investigators working on this project would also work in cooperation with New Hampshire Fish and Game (NHFG) and the Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association (AOLA) to tag lobsters. CFF is requesting exemptions that would exempt eight commercial fishing vessels from the Atlantic sea scallop days-at-sea (DAS) allocations at 50 CFR 648.53(b); crew size restrictions at Sec. 648.51(c); observer program requirements at Sec. 648.11(g); Closed Area II (CAII) scallop gear restrictions specified at 648.81(b); and access area program requirements at Sec. 648.60(a)(4). It would also exempt vessels from possession limits and minimum size requirements specified in 50 CFR part 648, subsections B and D through O, and 50 CFR 697.20 for sampling and tagging purposes only. Vessels would conduct scallop dredging in a year-round seasonal study on a total of eight 7-day trips, for a total of 56 DAS. Each trip would complete approximately 70 paired tows per trip for an overall total of 520 tows for the project. Closed Area II tows would take place in the central portion situated below the Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area, including the northern portion of Atlantic Sea Scallop Closed Area II Rotational Closed Area. Open area tows would be conducted on the northern half of Georges Bank, west of the boundary of Closed Area II. Although the proposed project included tow locations inside the Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area, we will not be authorizing tows in that area, consistent with previous requests by CFF to conduct dredging in this area. We will not grant access to the Habitat Closure Area for this project until a final outcome from the Omnibus Habitat Amendment II is determined. There is a potential for gear conflict with lobster gear in the central portion of Closed Area II. In an effort to help mitigate gear interactions, the project coordinator would distribute the time and location of stations to the lobster industry, work only during daylight hours, post an extra lookout to avoid gear, and conduct fishing operations in a way that avoids tangling in stationary gear. We do not expect the DAS, crew size, possession limits, or minimum size exemptions to generate any controversy or concern about the potential catch of egg-bearing female lobsters in this area during the months of June-October. The project would work in cooperation with NHFG and AOLA to tag lobsters with the primary goal of documenting their movement on and off Georges Bank. CFF would like to use data from the tagging project to provide data on the discard mortality of lobsters in the scallop fishery. All tows would be conducted with two tandem 15-foot (4.6-m) turtle deflector dredges for a duration of 30 minutes using an average tow speed of 4.8 knots. One dredge would be rigged with a 7-row apron and twine top hanging ratio of 2:1, while the other dredge would be rigged with a 5-row apron and 1.5:1 twine top hanging ratio. Both dredge frames would be rigged with identical rock and tickler chain configurations, 10-inch (25.4-cm) twine top, and 4-inch (10.2-cm) ring bag. For all tows the entire sea scallop catch would be counted into baskets and weighed. One basket from each dredge would be randomly selected and the scallops would be measured in 5-milimeter increments to determine size selectivity. All finfish catch would be sorted by species and then counted and measured. Weight, sex, and reproductive state would be determined for a random subsample (n = 10) of yellowtail, winter, and windowpane flounders. Lobsters would be measured, sexed, and evaluated for damage and shell disease. With the exception of samples retained for further processing, no catch would be retained for longer than needed to conduct sampling and no catch would be landed for sale. All catch estimates for the project are listed in the table below. Project Catch Estimates ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Species lb kg ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scallops................................ 7,500 3,402 Yellowtail Flounder..................... 1,600 726 Winter Flounder......................... 2,500 1,134 Windowpane Flounder..................... 6,300 2,858 Summer Flounder......................... 2,800 1,270 Fourspot Flounder....................... 400 181 American Plaice Flounder................ 50 23 Witch Flounder.......................... 100 45 Haddock................................. 100 45 Atlantic Cod............................ 100 45 Monkfish................................ 9,600 4,354 Spiny Dogfish........................... 300 136 Barndoor Skate.......................... 2,800 1,270 [[Page 26779]] Northeast Skate Complex................. 140,000 63,503 American Lobster........................ 900* .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * American lobster value is number of individuals. CFF needs these exemptions to allow them to conduct experimental dredge towing without being charged DAS, as well as deploy gear in areas that are currently closed to scallop fishing. Participating vessels need crew size waivers to accommodate science personnel. Possession waivers would enable researchers to sample finfish and lobster catch that exceeds possession limits or prohibitions. The project would be exempt from the sea scallop observer program requirements because activities conducted on the trip are not consistent with normal fishing operations. If approved, the applicant may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the year. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and have minimal impacts that do not change the scope or impact of the initially approved EFP request. Any fishing activity conducted outside the scope of the exempted fishing activity would be prohibited. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 28, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-10449 Filed 5-3-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Notices 26777
the Duwamish-Green River basin in the Duwamish-Green River basin. The Comments should be as specific as
Washington State. hatchery programs also release non- possible.
NMFS provides this notice to advise listed coho and fall-run chum salmon Written comments concerning the
other agencies and the public of its and summer-run steelhead into the proposed action and the environmental
plans to analyze effects related to the Duwamish-Green River basin. One review should be directed to NMFS as
action, and obtain suggestions and hatchery program releases coho salmon described above (see ADDRESSES). All
information that may be useful to the into marine waters adjacent to the comments and materials received,
scope of issues and alternatives to Duwamish-Green River basin. Seven of including names and addresses, will
include in the EIS. the programs are currently operating, become part of the administrative record
DATES: Written or electronic scoping and three are new. and may be released to the public.
comments must be received at the NEPA requires Federal agencies to Authority
appropriate address or email mailbox conduct environmental analyses of their
(see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. proposed major actions to determine if The environmental review of the 10
Pacific Time June 3, 2016. the actions may affect the human salmon and steelhead HGMPs in the
environment. NMFS’s action of Duwamish-Green River basin of
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
determining under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Washington State will be conducted in
sent by any of the following methods:
accordance with requirements of the
• Email to the following address: Rule for salmon and steelhead that
implementation of the co-managers’ NEPA of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C.
GreenHatcheriesEIS.wcr@noaa.gov with
HGMPs would not appreciably reduce 4321 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR
the following identifier in the subject
the likelihood of survival and recovery parts 1500 through 1508), other
line: Green Hatcheries EIS.
appropriate Federal laws and
• Mail or hand-deliver to NMFS of affected threatened ESUs is a major
Federal action subject to environmental regulations, and policies and procedures
Sustainable Fisheries Division, 510
review under NEPA. Therefore, NMFS of NMFS for compliance with those
Desmond Drive SE., Suite 103, Lacey,
is seeking public input on the scope of regulations. This notice is being
WA 98503.
• Fax to (360) 753–9517. the required NEPA analysis, including furnished in accordance with 40 CFR
Comments received will be available the range of reasonable alternatives, 1501.7 to obtain suggestions and
for public inspection, by appointment, recommendations for relevant analysis information from other agencies and the
during normal business hours at the methods, and information associated public on the scope of issues and
above address. All Personal Identifying with impacts of the alternatives to the alternatives to be addressed in the EIS.
Information (for example, name, resources listed below or other relevant Dated: April 29, 2016.
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by resources. Angela Somma,
the commenter may be publicly NMFS will perform an environmental Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
accessible. Do not submit Confidential review of the HGMPs and prepare an of Protected Resources, National Marine
Business Information or otherwise EIS that will identify potentially Fisheries Service.
sensitive or protected information. significant direct, indirect, and [FR Doc. 2016–10426 Filed 5–3–16; 8:45 am]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: cumulative impacts on the following BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Steve Leider, NMFS, by phone at (360) resources identified to have a potential
753–4650, or email to steve.leider@ for effect from the proposed action:
noaa.gov. • Listed and Non-listed Species and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
their habitats
• Water Quantity National Oceanic and Atmospheric
ESA-Listed Species Covered in This • Socioeconomics Administration
Notice • Environmental Justice RIN 0648–XE601
Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss): • Cumulative Impacts
NMFS will rigorously explore and Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
threatened, naturally and artificially
objectively evaluate a full range of General Provisions for Domestic
produced in Puget Sound.
reasonable alternatives in the EIS, Fisheries; Application for Exempted
Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha):
including the proposed action and a no- Fishing Permits
threatened, naturally and artificially
produced in Puget Sound. action alternative. Other alternatives AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Chum salmon (O. keta): threatened, may include a decreased production Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
naturally and artificially produced Hood alternative. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Canal summer-run. For all potentially significant impacts, Commerce.
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus): the EIS will identify measures to avoid, ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
threatened Puget Sound/Washington minimize, and mitigate the impacts,
Coast. where feasible. SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
Background Request for Comments Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has
The WDFW, Muckleshoot Indian NMFS provides this notice to: (1) made a preliminary determination that
Tribe, and Suquamish Tribe have jointly Advise other agencies and the public of an Exempted Fishing Permit application
submitted to NMFS HGMPs for 10 its plans to analyze effects related to the contains all of the required information
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
hatchery programs in the Duwamish- action, and (2) obtain suggestions and and warrants further consideration. This
Green River basin in Washington State. information that may be useful to the Exempted Fishing Permit would allow
The HGMPs were submitted to NMFS scope of issues and the full range of eight commercial fishing vessels to fish
from 2013 to 2015, pursuant to limit 6 alternatives to include in the EIS. outside of the limited access sea scallop
of the 4(d) Rule for salmon and NMFS invites comment from all regulations in support of a study on
steelhead. The hatchery programs interested parties to ensure that the full seasonal bycatch distribution and
include releases of ESA-listed Chinook range of issues related to the 10 salmon optimal scallop meat yield on Georges
salmon and winter-run steelhead into and steelhead HGMPs is identified. Bank.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Notices 26779
PROJECT CATCH ESTIMATES—Continued
Species lb kg
Northeast Skate Complex ........................................................................................................................................ 140,000 63,503
American Lobster ..................................................................................................................................................... 900* ........................
* American lobster value is number of individuals.
CFF needs these exemptions to allow Washington, Maryland (JBA). The EIS facilities displaced by PAR activities.
them to conduct experimental dredge will assess the potential environmental Facilities potentially requiring
towing without being charged DAS, as consequences of the proposal to relocation include the Hazardous Cargo
well as deploy gear in areas that are beddown versions of the Boeing 747–8 Pad (HCP), the Explosive Ordnance
currently closed to scallop fishing. passenger aircraft at JBA as Disposal (EOD) Proficiency Range, the
Participating vessels need crew size replacements to the two existing VC– Joint Air Defense Operations Center
waivers to accommodate science 25A aircraft currently used to transport (JADOC) Satellite Site, areas of the
personnel. Possession waivers would the President of the United States existing golf course, and the Military
enable researchers to sample finfish and (POTUS). Working Dog (MWD) Kennel. The EIS
lobster catch that exceeds possession DATES: The Air Force plans to hold one will analyze various alternatives for
limits or prohibitions. The project daytime and one nighttime public implementing the Proposed Action at
would be exempt from the sea scallop scoping meeting, at the locations and
observer program requirements because JBA (beddown and operations of a new
times below: aircraft) including a No Action
activities conducted on the trip are not 1. Daytime Scoping Meeting: Veterans
consistent with normal fishing Alternative. The Air Force is preparing
of Foreign Wars Post 9619, 6527 this EIS in accordance with National
operations. Suitland Road, Morningside, MD 20746,
If approved, the applicant may Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
on Tuesday, May 24th, 2016 from 9:00– 1969; 40 Code of Federal Regulations
request minor modifications and
11:00 a.m. (CFR), Parts 1500–1508, the Council on
extensions to the EFP throughout the 2. Nighttime Scoping Meeting:
year. EFP modifications and extensions Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9619, Environmental Quality (CEQ)
may be granted without further notice if 6527 Suitland Road, Morningside, MD regulations implementing NEPA; and
they are deemed essential to facilitate 20746, on Monday, May 23rd, 2016 the USAF Environmental Impact
completion of the proposed research Analysis Process (EIAP) [32 CFR part
from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
and have minimal impacts that do not 989].
ADDRESSES: Additional information on
change the scope or impact of the
the PAR Program and the EIS/EIAP Scoping and Agency Coordination: To
initially approved EFP request. Any
fishing activity conducted outside the process can be accessed at the project effectively define the full range of issues
scope of the exempted fishing activity Web site at www.parprogrameis.com, and concerns to be evaluated in the EIS,
would be prohibited. and the JBA Web site at the Air Force is soliciting scoping
www.andrews.af.mil. Inquiries and comments from interested local, state
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. comments-by-mail regarding the USAF and federal agencies and interested
Dated: April 28, 2016. proposal should be directed to AFCEC/ members of the public. This NOI also
Emily H. Menashes, CZN, 2261 Hughes Ave., Ste. 155, JBSA- serves to provide early notice of
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Lackland, TX 78236–9853, ATTN: Mr. compliance with Executive Order (EO)
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. John Guerra. 11990, ‘‘Protection of Wetlands’’ and EO
[FR Doc. 2016–10449 Filed 5–3–16; 8:45 am] The project Web site can also be used 11988, ‘‘Floodplain Management.’’ State
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P to submit scoping comments and and federal regulatory agencies with
scoping comments may also be
special expertise in wetlands and
submitted by mail to the address listed
floodplains have been contacted to
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE below. Comments will be accepted at
request comment. The Air Force will
any time during the Environmental
Impact Analysis Process (EIAP). hold two scoping meetings to inform the
Department of the Air Force
However, to ensure the Air Force has public as well as to solicit comments
Notice of Intent To Prepare an sufficient time to consider public input and concerns about the proposal.
Environmental Impact Statement for in the preparation of the Draft EIS, Scoping meetings will be held in the
the Presidential Aircraft scoping comments should be submitted local community. Scheduled dates,
Recapitalization Program at Joint Base to the Web site or the address listed locations, and addresses for each
Andrews-Naval Air Facility, below by May 28th, 2016. meeting will be published in the
Washington, Maryland SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Washington Post, Prince George’s
aircraft replacement was requested by County Gazette, and the Andrews
AGENCY: United States Air Force,
Department of Defense. the White House in April 2006 and was Gazette newspapers a minimum of
approved by the Secretary of the Air fifteen (15) days prior to each meeting.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
ACTION: Notice of intent.
Force in a Strategic Basing decision on Anh Trinh,
SUMMARY: The United States Air Force June 12, 2012. The EIS will assess the
(Air Force) is issuing this notice to potential environmental consequences Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
advise the public of its intent to prepare of bedding down the new aircraft, [FR Doc. 2016–10401 Filed 5–3–16; 8:45 am]
an Environmental Impact Statement including construction of a new BILLING CODE 5001–10–P
(EIS) for the Presidential Aircraft Presidential Complex with a multi-bay
Recapitalization (PAR) Program at Joint hangar facility, other necessary facility
Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility, improvements and relocation of select
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Document Created: 2016-05-04 01:23:19
Document Modified: 2016-05-04 01:23:19
| 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; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received on or before May 19, 2016. | |
| Contact | Shannah Jaburek, Fisheries Management Specialist, 978-282-8456. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 26777 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE60 |
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