81 FR 52830 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 154 (August 10, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 154 (August 10, 2016)
| Page Range | 52830-52831 | |
| FR Document | 2016-19002 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 52830-52831] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-19002] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE485 Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska 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 Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC).'' 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 the North Pacific Ocean and the marine waters off of Alaska. DATES: Comments must be received by no later than September 9, 2016. ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA should be addressed to: DPEA Comments, c/o AFSC Director's Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Building 4, Seattle, WA 98115. Comments via email may be sent to [email protected]. NMFS is not responsible for email comments sent to 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.afsc.noaa.gov/dpea.html. Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel H. Ito, (206) 526-4232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) is the research arm of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the Alaska region of the U.S. The AFSC conducts research and provides scientific advice to manage fisheries and conserve living marine resources in the North Pacific and marine waters off of Alaska. The AFSC provides scientific data and technical advice to a variety of management organizations and stakeholder groups, including the NMFS Alaska Regional Office, North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC), State of Alaska, Alaska coastal subsistence communities, and U.S. representatives participating in international fishery and marine mammal negotiations, as well as the fishing industry, environmental non-governmental organizations and other constituents. 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 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, 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: (1) No-Action/Status Quo Alternative--Conduct Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem Research with Scope and Protocols Similar to Past Efforts (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 (4) No Research Alternative--No Fieldwork for Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted or Funded by AFSC The first three alternatives include a program of fisheries and ecosystem research projects conducted or funded by the AFSC as the primary Federal action. Because this primary action is [[Page 52831]] 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 AFSC 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, invertebrates, and the social and economic environment. Cumulative effects of external actions and the contribution of fisheries and ecosystem 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 AFSC surveys are conducted. NMFS requests comments on the DPEA for Fisheries and Ecosystem Research Conducted and Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Through this notice, NMFS is notifying the public that a DPEA is available for review so that interested or affected people may participate and contribute to the final decision. NMFS is seeking written public comments on the scope of issues, potential impacts, and alternatives considered in the DPEA. Written comments will be accepted at the address above (see ADDRESSES). Written comments should be as specific as possible to be the most helpful. Written comments received, including the names and addresses of those submitting them, will be considered part of the public record for this proposed action and will be available for public inspection. Please include, with your comments, any supporting data or literature citations that may be informative in substantiating your comment. Dated: August 1, 2016. Douglas P. DeMaster, Director, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-19002 Filed 8-9-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![52830 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices
be any animals other than lawfully DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE region of the U.S. The AFSC conducts
harvested spiny lobster and snowy research and provides scientific advice
grouper longer than 209 mm total National Oceanic and Atmospheric to manage fisheries and conserve living
length. Administration marine resources in the North Pacific
The vessel to be used for the project RIN 0648–XE485 and marine waters off of Alaska. The
AFSC provides scientific data and
would be a commercial spiny lobster
Notice of Availability of a Draft technical advice to a variety of
fishing vessel with valid licenses and
Programmatic Environmental management organizations and
permits to commercially harvest spiny stakeholder groups, including the NMFS
Assessment for Fisheries and
lobster in the Federal waters off Florida. Alaska Regional Office, North Pacific
Ecosystem Research Conducted and
The EFP would not exempt the Fishery Management Council (NPFMC),
Funded by the National Marine
applicant from the relevant state of State of Alaska, Alaska coastal
Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries
Florida regulations for spiny lobster Science Center subsistence communities, and U.S.
harvest or from the Federal spiny lobster representatives participating in
regulations specified at 50 CFR Subpart AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries international fishery and marine
R. At least one of the applicants would Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and mammal negotiations, as well as the
be present during each of the sampling Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fishing industry, environmental non-
trips. If the EFP is approved, all Commerce. governmental organizations and other
collections of juvenile snowy grouper ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft constituents.
would be conducted during the 2016– Programmatic Environmental NMFS has prepared the DPEA under
2017 and 2017–2018 commercial spiny Assessment; request for comments. NEPA to evaluate several alternatives
lobster seasons. All snowy grouper for conducting and funding fisheries
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the and ecosystem research activities as the
would be collected as part of the availability of the ‘‘Draft Programmatic
vessel’s normal commercial spiny primary Federal action. Additionally in
Environmental Assessment (DPEA) for the DPEA, NMFS evaluates a related
lobster fishing trips. Fisheries and Ecosystem Research action—also called a ‘‘connected
NMFS finds this application warrants Conducted and Funded by the Alaska action’’ under 40 CFR 1508.25 of the
further consideration. Based on a Fisheries Science Center (AFSC).’’ Council on Environmental Quality’s
preliminary review, NMFS intends to Publication of this notice begins the regulations for implementing the
issue an EFP. Possible conditions the official public comment period for this procedural provisions of NEPA (42
agency may impose on this permit, if it DPEA. The purpose of the DPEA is to U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)—which is the
is indeed granted, include but are not evaluate, in compliance with the proposed promulgation of regulations
limited to, a prohibition of conducting National Environmental Policy Act and authorization of the take of marine
research within marine protected areas, (NEPA), the potential direct, indirect, mammals incidental to fisheries
marine sanctuaries, special management and cumulative impacts of conducting research under the Marine Mammal
zones, or artificial reefs without and funding fisheries and ecosystem Protection Act (MMPA). Additionally,
additional authorization. Additionally, research in the North Pacific Ocean and because the proposed research activities
NMFS may require special protections the marine waters off of Alaska. occur in areas inhabited by species of
for Endangered Species Act listed DATES: Comments must be received by marine mammals, birds, and fish listed
species and their critical habitat. A final no later than September 9, 2016. under the Endangered Species Act
decision on issuance of the EFP will ADDRESSES: Comments on the DPEA (ESA) as threatened or endangered, this
depend on NMFS’ review of public should be addressed to: DPEA DPEA evaluates activities that could
comments received on the application, Comments, c/o AFSC Director’s Office, result in unintentional takes of ESA-
consultations with the appropriate 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Building 4, listed marine species.
fishery management agency of the Seattle, WA 98115. Comments via email The following four alternatives are
affected state, the Council, and the U.S. may be sent to NMFS.AFSC.DPEA@ currently evaluated in the DPEA:
Coast Guard, and a determination that it noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for (1) No-Action/Status Quo Alternative—
email comments sent to addresses other Conduct Federal Fisheries and
is consistent with all applicable laws.
than the one provided here. Comments Ecosystem Research with Scope and
Authority: 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq. sent via email, including all Protocols Similar to Past Efforts
Dated: August 5, 2016. attachments, must not exceed a 10- (2) Preferred Alternative—Conduct
Emily H. Menashes,
megabyte file size. A copy of the DPEA Federal Fisheries and Ecosystem
may be obtained by writing to the Research (New Suite of Research)
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
address specified above, telephoning the with Mitigation for MMPA and ESA
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER Compliance
[FR Doc. 2016–18999 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the (3) Modified Research Alternative—
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P internet at: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/ Conduct Federal Fisheries and
dpea.html. Ecosystem Research (New Suite of
Documents cited in this notice may Research) with Additional Mitigation
also be viewed, by appointment, during (4) No Research Alternative—No
regular business hours, at the Fieldwork for Federal Fisheries and
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
aforementioned address. Ecosystem Research Conducted or
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Funded by AFSC
Daniel H. Ito, (206) 526–4232. The first three alternatives include a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The program of fisheries and ecosystem
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) research projects conducted or funded
is the research arm of National Marine by the AFSC as the primary Federal
Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the Alaska action. Because this primary action is
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices 52831
connected to a secondary Federal action alternatives considered in the DPEA. Regulation Z. Regulation C requires
(also called a connected action under Written comments will be accepted at covered financial institutions to report,
NEPA), to consider authorizing the address above (see ADDRESSES). for certain transactions, the difference
incidental take of marine mammals Written comments should be as specific between a loan’s annual percentage rate
under the MMPA, NMFS must identify as possible to be the most helpful. (APR) and the APOR for a comparable
as part of this evaluation ‘‘(t)he means Written comments received, including transaction.1 Under Regulation Z, a
of effecting the least practicable adverse the names and addresses of those creditor may be subject to certain
impact on the species or stock and its submitting them, will be considered special provisions if the difference
habitat.’’ (Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the part of the public record for this between a loan’s APR and the APOR for
MMPA [16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.]). NMFS proposed action and will be available a comparable transaction exceeds
must therefore identify and evaluate a for public inspection. Please include, certain thresholds.2
reasonable range of mitigation measures with your comments, any supporting The Bureau calculates APORs on a
to minimize impacts to protected data or literature citations that may be weekly basis according to a
species that occur in AFSC research informative in substantiating your methodology statement that is available
areas. These mitigation measures are comment. to the public. The Bureau has revised
considered as part of the identified Dated: August 1, 2016. the methodology statement to reflect a
alternatives in order to evaluate their change in the source of survey data for
Douglas P. DeMaster,
effectiveness to minimize potential the one-year variable rate mortgage
adverse environmental impacts. The Director, Alaska Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service. product that it began using to calculate
three action alternatives also include the weekly APORs on July 7, 2016. The
[FR Doc. 2016–19002 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
mitigation measures intended to Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market
minimize potentially adverse BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Survey® (PMMS) previously provided
interactions with other protected survey data for that mortgage product
species that occur within the action that, together with data for other
area. Protected species include all BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL products from the same survey, has
marine mammals, which are covered PROTECTION been used to calculate the weekly
under the MMPA, all species listed APORs. Freddie Mac has discontinued
under the ESA, and bird species Notice of Availability of Revised
Methodology for Determining Average publishing the one-year variable rate
protected under the Migratory Bird mortgage data. Beginning on July 7,
Treaty Act. Prime Offer Rates
2016, the Bureau started using data
NMFS is also evaluating a second AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial provided by HSH Associates for the one-
type of no-action alternative that Protection. year variable rate mortgage product to
considers no Federal funding for field ACTION: Notice of availability. calculate the weekly APORs, while
fisheries and ecosystem research continuing to derive the other data used
activities. This is called the No Research SUMMARY: The Bureau of Consumer by the methodology from the PMMS.
Alternative to distinguish it from the Financial Protection (Bureau) The Bureau has revised the
No-Action/Status Quo Alternative. The announces the availability of a revised methodology statement in light of that
No-Action/Status Quo Alternative will methodology statement, entitled the change. No other substantive changes
be used as the baseline to compare all ‘‘Methodology for Determining Average have been made to the methodology
of the other alternatives. Prime Offer Rates.’’ The methodology statement.
Potential direct and indirect effects on statement describes the data and the
the environment are evaluated under methodology used to calculate average Dated: August 2, 2016.
each alternative in the DPEA. The prime offer rates for purposes of Richard Cordray,
environmental effects on the following Regulation C and Regulation Z. The Director, Bureau of Consumer Financial
resources are considered: Physical statement has been revised to reflect the Protection.
environment, special resource areas, fact that the Bureau is using a different [FR Doc. 2016–18899 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
fish, marine mammals, birds, source of survey data for the one-year BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P
invertebrates, and the social and variable rate mortgage product to
economic environment. Cumulative calculate average prime offer rates.
effects of external actions and the ADDRESSES: The revised methodology DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
contribution of fisheries and ecosystem statement is available on the Web site of
research activities to the overall the Federal Financial Institutions Department of the Army
cumulative impact on the Examination Council (FFIEC) at https://
aforementioned resources is also [Docket ID: USA–2016–HQ–0028]
www.ffiec.gov/ratespread/
evaluated in the DPEA for the three newcalchelp.aspx#4. Privacy Act of 1974; System of
main geographic regions in which AFSC
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Records
surveys are conducted.
NMFS requests comments on the Terry J. Randall, Counsel, Office of AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
DPEA for Fisheries and Ecosystem Regulations, at 202–435–7700.
ACTION: Notice to alter a system of
Research Conducted and Funded by the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
records.
National Marine Fisheries Service, average prime offer rates (APORs) are
Alaska Fisheries Science Center. annual percentage rates derived from
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY: The Department of the Army
Through this notice, NMFS is notifying average interest rates, points, and other proposes to alter a system of records
the public that a DPEA is available for loan pricing terms offered to borrowers notice A0690–600 SAMR, entitled
review so that interested or affected by a representative sample of lenders for ‘‘Equal Opportunity and Equal
people may participate and contribute mortgage loans that have low-risk Employment Opportunity Complaint
to the final decision. NMFS is seeking pricing characteristics. APORs have
written public comments on the scope implications for data reporters under 1 12 CFR 1003.4(a)(12)(i).
of issues, potential impacts, and Regulation C and creditors under 2 12 CFR 1026.35(a) and 1026.32(a)(1)(i).
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Document Created: 2016-08-10 01:59:50
Document Modified: 2016-08-10 01:59:50
| 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 must be received by no later than September 9, 2016. | |
| Contact | Dr. Daniel H. Ito, (206) 526-4232. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 52830 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE48 |
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