81 FR 62100 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Essential Fish Habitat
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 174 (September 8, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 174 (September 8, 2016)
| Page Range | 62100-62103 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21621 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 62100-62103] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21621] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XD990 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Essential Fish Habitat AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of Draft Environmental Assessment; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for Amendment 10 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). NMFS finalized the most recent Atlantic HMS Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 5-Year Review on July 1, 2015 and determined that updates to Atlantic HMS EFH were warranted. NMFS also determined that modifications to current Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and sandbar shark (Carcharhimus plumbeus) and the consideration of new HAPCs for lemon sharks (Negaprion brevisostris) and sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) may be warranted. The purpose of this Draft Amendment is to update Atlantic HMS EFH with recent information following the EFH delineation methodology established in Amendment 1 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP (Amendment 1); update and consider new HAPCs for Atlantic HMS based on recent information, as warranted; minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing and non-fishing activities on EFH, and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH. DATES: Written comments must be received by December 22, 2016. ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of Draft Amendment 10 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP may also be obtained on the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/documents/fmp/am10/index.html. You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS- 2016-0117, by any of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov, enter NOAA-NMFS-2016-0117 into the search box, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to Jennifer Cudney, National Marine Fisheries Service, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, 263 13th Ave., Saint Petersburg, FL 33701. 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 NMFS. 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 [[Page 62101]] information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Cudney or Randy Blankinship by phone at (727) 824-5399. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (``Magnuson-Stevens Act'') includes provisions concerning the identification and conservation of EFH (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). EFH is defined in 50 CFR 600.10 as ``those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.'' NMFS must identify and describe EFH, minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH (Sec. 600.815(a)). Federal agencies that authorize, fund, or undertake actions that may adversely affect EFH must consult with NMFS, and NMFS must provide conservation recommendations to Federal and state agencies regarding any such actions. Sec. 600.815(a)(9). Specifically, a consultation is required if a Federal agency has authorized, funded, or undertaken part or all of a proposed activity. For example, if a project proposed by a Federal or state agency or an individual requires a Federal permit, then the Federal agency authorizing the project through the issuance of a permit must consult with NMFS. A consultation is required if the action will ``adversely'' affect EFH. An adverse effect is defined as any impact that reduces quality and/or quantity of EFH. This includes direct or indirect physical, chemical, or biological alterations of the waters or substrate and loss of, or injury to species and their habitat, and other ecosystem components, or reduction of the quality and/or quantity of EFH. Adverse effects may result from actions occurring within EFH or outside of EFH. If a federal agency determines that an action will not adversely affect EFH, no consultation is required. Private landowners and state agencies are not required to consult with NMFS. In addition to identifying and describing EFH for managed fish species, a review of EFH must be completed every 5 years, and EFH provisions must be revised or amended, as warranted, based on the best available scientific information. NMFS announced the initiation of this review and solicited information for this review from the public in a Federal Register notice on March 24, 2014 (79 FR 15959). The initial public review/submission period ended on May 23, 2014. The Draft Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review was made available on March 5, 2015 (80 FR 11981), and the public comment period ended on April 6, 2015. NMFS analyzed the information gathered through the EFH review process, and the Notice of Availability for the Final Atlantic HMS EFH 5-Year Review was published on July 1, 2015 (80 FR 37598) (``5-Year Review''). The 5-Year Review considered data regarding Atlantic HMS and their habitats that have become available since 2009 that were not included in EFH updates finalized in Amendment 1 (June 1, 2010, 75 FR 30484); Final Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (Amendment 3) (June 1, 2010, 75 FR 30484); and the interpretive rule that described EFH for roundscale spearfish (September 22, 2010, 75 FR 57698). NMFS also determined in the 5-Year Review that the methodology used in Amendment 1 to delineate Atlantic HMS EFH was still the best approach to update EFH delineations in Amendment 10 because it infers habitat use and EFH from available point data, allows for the incorporation of multiple complex datasets into the analysis, is transparent, and is easily reproducible. As a result of this review, NMFS determined that a revision of HMS EFH was warranted, and that an amendment to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP would be developed as Amendment 10. In addition to the literature informing the 5-year Review and the subsequent proposed amendment, NMFS indicated that it would also incorporate all newly available data collected prior to January 1, 2015, to ensure that the best available data would be analyzed for Draft Amendment 10, and EFH geographic boundaries would be re-evaluated, even for species where there were limited or no new EFH data found in the literature review. Consultation with the Atlantic HMS Advisory Panel and the public did not yield additional suggestions for NMFS to consider on EFH delineation methods for Atlantic HMS during the EFH 5-Year Review process. Therefore, NMFS determined that the current HMS EFH delineation methodology could be used for the analyses in Draft Amendment 10. Where appropriate, NMFS may designate HAPCs, which are intended to focus conservation efforts on localized areas within EFH that are vulnerable to degradation or are especially important ecologically for managed species. EFH regulatory guidelines encourage the Regional Fishery Management Councils and NMFS to identify HAPCs based on one or more of the following considerations (Sec. 600.815(a)(8)): The importance of the ecological function provided by the habitat; the extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human- induced environmental degradation; whether, and to what extent, development activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat type; and/or, the rarity of the habitat type. After reviewing the new information that has become available for Atlantic HMS since the last updates to EFH were completed, and based on analyses of new data, NMFS is considering modifications to current HAPCs for bluefin tuna and sandbar sharks, and the creation of new HAPCs for lemon sharks and sand tiger sharks. The purpose of the amendment would be to update EFH for Atlantic HMS with recent information following the EFH delineation methodology established in Amendment 1; minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing and non-fishing activities on EFH; and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH. Specific actions would include the update and revision of existing HMS EFH, as necessary; modification of existing HAPCs or designation of new HAPCs for bluefin tuna, and sandbar, lemon, and sand tiger sharks, as necessary; and analysis of fishing and non-fishing impacts on EFH by considering environmental and management changes and new information since 2009. Essential Fish Habitat Updates Preferred Alternative 2 would update all Atlantic HMS EFH designations with new data collected since 2009, using the methodology established under Amendment 1. The incorporation of new information and data into EFH analyses, and subsequent adjustment of Atlantic HMS EFH, is expected to result in neutral cumulative and direct and indirect, short-term ecological, social, and economic impacts on the natural and human environment. This alternative is also expected to result in neutral long-term direct ecological, social, and economic impacts on the natural and human environment. The primary effect of updating Atlantic HMS EFH would be a change in the areas that are subject to consultation with NMFS under the EFH regulations. Updating [[Page 62102]] Atlantic HMS EFH ensures that any management consultations subsequently completed by the NMFS Office of Habitat Conservation, and resulting conservation recommendations, are based on the best available scientific information considering EFH designation. These future consultations through the Habitat Consultation process could, among other things, focus conservation efforts and avoid potential adverse impacts from Federal actions in areas designated as EFH. Thus, NMFS expects that long-term cumulative and indirect impacts of Alternative 2 would be minor and beneficial, as the consultation process and resulting conservation recommendations could reduce any potential adverse impacts to EFH from future federal actions. This could result in an overall positive conservation benefit. Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) The preferred alternatives concerning HAPCs would modify or create new HAPCs for several HMS. Preferred alternative 3b would modify the current HAPC for the spawning, eggs, and larvae life stages for bluefin tuna. Specifically, NMFS would change the boundary of the existing bluefin tuna HAPC to encompass a larger area within the Gulf of Mexico. Recent literature suggests the potential for spawning bluefin tuna, eggs, and larvae to be concentrated in areas of the eastern Gulf of Mexico not encompassed by the current HAPC in response to variability in oceanographic conditions associated with the Loop Current, which moves through regions that are to the east of the current HAPC. NMFS would extend the HAPC in the Gulf of Mexico from its current extent eastward to the 82[deg] West longitude line. The seaward boundary of the HAPC would continue to be the U.S. EEZ, while the shoreward extent of the HAPC would be restricted at the 100m bathymetric line per recommendations from the NMFS scientists. Preferred alternative 4b would modify the current HAPC for sandbar shark along the Atlantic coast (specifically off the coast of the Outer Banks (NC), in Chesapeake Bay (VA), Delaware Bay (DE) and in the Mullica River-Great Bay system (NJ)). Modification would include changing the boundary of the existing HAPC to encompass different areas, consistent with the updated Atlantic HMS EFH designations. The current sandbar shark HAPC does not overlap with the currently- designated sandbar shark EFH as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act implementing regulations, which specify FMPs ``identify specific types or areas of habitat within EFH as habitat areas of particular concern'' (emphasis added) (Sec. 600.815(a)(8)). Thus, NMFS is proposing to adjust the boundaries of the HAPC so that it is contained within the updated sandbar shark EFH. These changes include incorporation of additional area in Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay to reflect updated EFH designations, and adjustment of the HAPC around the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The updated areas identified as HAPCs are still considered to be important pupping and nursery grounds for sandbar shark. Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay are the largest nursery grounds for sandbar shark in the mid-Atlantic, and there is evidence of high inter-annual site fidelity for up to five years following birth to these nursery grounds. Preferred Alternative 5b would designate a new HAPC for lemon sharks between Jupiter Inlet, FL, and Cape Canaveral, FL. Information analyzed in the 5-year review suggests that areas off south central and south eastern Florida may provide important nursery grounds and aggregation sites for multiple life stages. Aggregations of juvenile lemon sharks have appeared annually since 2003 within sheltered alongshore troughs and shallow open surf zones adjacent to Cape Canaveral from November through February. Adult lemon sharks have also been observed to annually form large aggregations off Jupiter Inlet between December and April. Geophysical and oceanographic conditions in the Cape Canaveral and Jupiter inlet regions may generate a climatic transition zone that may create a temperature barrier to northward and southward migration. A new HAPC would be created to encompass both areas and presumed migratory corridors between them and extend from shore to 12 km from the beach. These habitats occur near a heavily populated area of southeastern Florida, are subjected to military use and/or are easily accessible to the public, and both appear to be discrete aggregation areas for lemon sharks. Preferred Alternative 6b would designate two new HAPCs for sand tiger sharks in Delaware Bay and in coastal Massachusetts. Recently, new research and information has become available which suggests that Delaware Bay might provide important seasonal (summertime) habitat for all life stages of sand tiger shark. The first HAPC would reflect the distribution of known data points in Delaware Bay. The second HAPC would be established in the Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury (PKD) Bay system in coastal Massachusetts for juveniles and neonate sand tiger in the Cape Cod region. Tagging data suggest that tagged neonates and juveniles are seasonally distributed within the estuary (June through October); consistently used habitats for extended periods of time; and exhibited inter-annual site fidelity for the PKD Bay system. NMFS expects that the short-term direct and indirect ecological, social and economic effects of revising current HAPCs for bluefin tuna spawning, eggs, and larvae in the Gulf of Mexico and for sandbar shark in the Mid-Atlantic, and creating new HAPCs for lemon sharks off southeastern Florida and for sand tiger sharks in Delaware Bay and in the PKD Bay system of Massachusetts would be neutral, as this process only designates habitat and there are no additional associated management measures under evaluation in Draft Amendment 10 for these HAPCs. Similarly, NMFS expects that the long-term direct ecological, social and economic effects of modifying and creating these HAPCs would be neutral. However, NMFS expects that the long-term indirect ecological, social, and economic effects of Alternatives 3b, 4b, 5b, and 6b would be minor and beneficial as a result of any future consultations as the Habitat Consultation process and resulting conservation recommendations could reduce any potential adverse impacts to HAPCs from future federal actions. This could result in an overall positive conservation benefit. These preferred alternatives would permit the incorporation and consideration of the best available scientific information in considering an HAPC designation for, among other things, purposes of focusing conservation efforts and avoiding adverse impacts through the Habitat Consultation process, inform the public of areas that could receive additional scrutiny from NMFS with regards to EFH impacts, and/or promote additional area-based research, as necessary. Fishing and Non-Fishing Impacts and Conservation Recommendations As analyzed in Amendment 1, since nearly all HMS EFH is comprised of open water habitat, all HMS fishing gears but bottom longline and shrimp trawl do not have an effect on EFH. For some shark species, EFH includes benthic habitat types such as mud or sandy bottom that might be affected by fishing gears. NMFS has determined that bottom tending gears such as bottom longline and shrimp trawls, which are the two gears most likely to [[Page 62103]] impact EFH, have a minimal and only temporary effect on EFH. There is no new information that has become available since Amendment 1 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP that would alter this conclusion. As a result, NMFS is not proposing any measures or alternatives to minimize fishing impacts on these habitats. However, although adverse effects are not anticipated, NMFS has provided an example list of conservation recommendations in Chapter 5 of Draft Amendment 10 that could address shark bottom longline fishing impacts; these recommendations could apply to all areas designated as either EFH or HAPCs. This section is included to satisfy the EFH provisions concerning mandatory contents of FMPs, specifically the Conservation and Enhancement requirements at Sec. 600.815(a)(6). This amendment similarly evaluates the potential adverse effects of fishing with all HMS gear types on designated and proposed EFH and HAPCs in Chapter 5 and provides conservation recommendations, as necessary. Opportunities for Public Comment NMFS will conduct public hearing conference calls and webinars to allow for opportunities for interested members of the public from all geographic areas to submit verbal comments on Draft Amendment 10. These will be announced at a later date and in the Federal Register. NMFS has also requested time on the meeting agendas of the relevant Regional Fishery Management Councils (i.e., the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and New England Fishery Management Councils) to present information on Draft Amendment 10. Information on the date and time of those presentations will be provided on the appropriate council agendas. The webinar presentation and conference call transcripts will be made available at this Web site: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/documents/fmp/am10/index.html. Transcripts from Council meetings may be provided by the Councils on respective Web sites. Public Hearing Code of Conduct The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants at public hearings and council meetings to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each meeting, a representative of NMFS will explain the ground rules (e.g., all comments are to be directed to the agency on the proposed action; attendees will be called to give their comments in the order in which they registered to speak; each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; attendees may not interrupt one another; etc.). NMFS representative(s) will structure the meeting so that all attending members of the public will be able to comment, if they so choose, regardless of the controversial nature of the subject(s). Attendees are expected to respect the ground rules, and those that do not may be asked to leave the meeting. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq., and 1801 et seq. Dated: September 2, 2016, Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-21621 Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![62100 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ii. Pelagic Fisheries Subpanel SUMMARY: NMFS announces the
Commerce. iii. Ecosystems and Habitat Subpanel availability of a Draft Environmental
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting and iv. Indigenous Fishing Rights Assessment for Amendment 10 to the
hearing. Subpanel 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly
B. Other Issues Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery
SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery 7. Public Comment Management Plan (FMP).
Management Council (Council) will 8. Discussion and Recommendations NMFS finalized the most recent
hold a meeting of its American Samoa 9. Other Business Atlantic HMS Essential Fish Habitat
Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan Schedule and Agenda for the Hawaii (EFH) 5-Year Review on July 1, 2015
(FEP) Advisory Panel (AP) and Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP Meeting and determined that updates to Atlantic
Archipelago FEP AP to discuss and HMS EFH were warranted. NMFS also
make recommendations on fishery Thursday, September 29, 2016, 9 a.m.– determined that modifications to
management issues in the Western 11 a.m. current Habitat Areas of Particular
Pacific Region. 1. Welcome and Introductions Concern (HAPCs) for bluefin tuna
DATES: The American Samoa 2. Outstanding Council Action Items (Thunnus thynnus) and sandbar shark
Archipelago FEP AP will meet on 3. Council Issues (Carcharhimus plumbeus) and the
Friday, September 23, 2016, between A. 2017 U.S. Territory Bigeye Tuna consideration of new HAPCs for lemon
4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and the Hawaii Limits sharks (Negaprion brevisostris) and sand
Archipelago FEP AP will meet on B. Council Coral Reef Projects tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) may be
Thursday, September 29, 2016, between C. Implementing the NWHI warranted.
9 a.m. and 11 a.m. All times listed are Monument Expansion The purpose of this Draft Amendment
local island times. For specific times 5. Hawaii FEP Community Activities is to update Atlantic HMS EFH with
and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY 6. Hawaii FEP AP Issues recent information following the EFH
INFORMATION.
A. Report of the Subpanels delineation methodology established in
i. Island Fisheries Subpanel Amendment 1 to the 2006 Consolidated
ADDRESSES: The American Samoa ii. Pelagic Fisheries Subpanel Atlantic HMS FMP (Amendment 1);
Archipelago FEP AP will meet at the iii. Ecosystems and Habitat Subpanel update and consider new HAPCs for
Pacific Petroleum Conference Room iv. Indigenous Fishing Rights
Atlantic HMS based on recent
Utulei Village, American Samoa. The Subpanel
information, as warranted; minimize to
Hawaii Archipelago FEP AP will meet at B. Other Issues
the extent practicable the adverse effects
the Council Office, 1164 Bishop St., 7. Public Comment
8. Discussion and Recommendations of fishing and non-fishing activities on
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813 and by EFH, and identify other actions to
teleconference. The teleconference will 9. Other Business
encourage the conservation and
be conducted by telephone. The Special Accommodations enhancement of EFH.
teleconference numbers are: U.S. toll-
These meetings are physically DATES: Written comments must be
free: 1–888–482–3560 or International
Access: +1 647 723–3959, and Access accessible to people with disabilities. received by December 22, 2016.
Code: 5228220. Requests for sign language ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of Draft
interpretation or other auxiliary aids Amendment 10 to the 2006
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, Consolidated HMS FMP may also be
Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director,
(808) 522–8220 (voice) or (808) 522– obtained on the internet at: http://
Western Pacific Fishery Management
8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/
Council; telephone: (808) 522–8220.
meeting date. documents/fmp/am10/index.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. You may submit comments on this
comment periods will be provided in document, identified by NOAA–NMFS–
the agenda. The order in which agenda Dated: September 2, 2016.
2016–0117, by any of the following
items are addressed may change. The Jeffrey N. Lonergan, methods:
meetings will run as late as necessary to Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable • Electronic Submission: Submit all
complete scheduled business. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. electronic public comments via the
[FR Doc. 2016–21613 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am] Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
Schedule and Agenda for the American
Samoa Archipelago FEP AP Meeting BILLING CODE 3510–22–P www.regulations.gov, enter NOAA–
NMFS–2016–0117 into the search box,
Friday, September 23, 2016, 4:30 p.m.– click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
6:30 p.m. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE complete the required fields, and enter
1. Welcome and Introductions or attach your comments.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
2. Outstanding Council Action Items • Mail: Submit written comments to
Administration
3. Council Issues Jennifer Cudney, National Marine
A. 2017 U.S. Territory Bigeye Tuna RIN 0648–XD990 Fisheries Service, Highly Migratory
Limits Species Management Division, 263 13th
B. Council Coral Reef Projects Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Ave., Saint Petersburg, FL 33701.
4. Update on Council Projects in Essential Fish Habitat Instructions: Comments sent by any
American Samoa other method, to any other address or
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
A. Data Collection Projects Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and individual, or received after the end of
B. Fishery Development Projects Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the comment period, may not be
5. American Samoa FEP Community Commerce. considered by NMFS. All comments
Activities received are a part of the public record
ACTION: Notice of availability of Draft
6. American Samoa FEP AP Issues and will generally be posted for public
Environmental Assessment; request for
A. Report of the Subpanels viewing on www.regulations.gov
comments.
i. Island Fisheries Subpanel without change. All personal identifying
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices 62103
impact EFH, have a minimal and only called to give their comments in the Defense, the Board of Visitors U.S. Air
temporary effect on EFH. There is no order in which they registered to speak; Force Academy was unable to provide
new information that has become each attendee will have an equal public notification of its cancellation of
available since Amendment 1 to the amount of time to speak; attendees may its previously announced meeting on
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP that not interrupt one another; etc.). NMFS September 7th and 8th, 2016, as
would alter this conclusion. As a result, representative(s) will structure the required by 41 CFR 102–3.150(a).
NMFS is not proposing any measures or meeting so that all attending members of Accordingly, the Advisory Committee
alternatives to minimize fishing impacts the public will be able to comment, if Management Officer for the Department
on these habitats. they so choose, regardless of the of Defense, pursuant to 41 CFR 102–
However, although adverse effects are controversial nature of the subject(s). 3.150(b), waives the 15-calendar day
not anticipated, NMFS has provided an Attendees are expected to respect the notification requirement.
example list of conservation ground rules, and those that do not may
recommendations in Chapter 5 of Draft Henry Williams,
be asked to leave the meeting.
Amendment 10 that could address shark Acting Air Force Federal Register Officer.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq., and 1801
bottom longline fishing impacts; these et seq.
[FR Doc. 2016–21624 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am]
recommendations could apply to all BILLING CODE 5001–10–P
areas designated as either EFH or Dated: September 2, 2016,
HAPCs. This section is included to Samuel D. Rauch III,
satisfy the EFH provisions concerning Deputy Assistant Administrator for DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
mandatory contents of FMPs, Regulatory Programs, National Marine
specifically the Conservation and Fisheries Service. Office of the Secretary
Enhancement requirements at [FR Doc. 2016–21621 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am]
Vietnam War Commemoration
§ 600.815(a)(6). This amendment BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Advisory Committee; Notice of Federal
similarly evaluates the potential adverse
Advisory Committee Meeting
effects of fishing with all HMS gear
types on designated and proposed EFH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AGENCY: DoD.
and HAPCs in Chapter 5 and provides ACTION: Meeting notice.
conservation recommendations, as Department of the Air Force
necessary. SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is
Board of Visitors of the U.S. Air Force publishing this notice to announce the
Opportunities for Public Comment Academy Notice of Meeting; following Federal advisory committee
NMFS will conduct public hearing Cancellation meeting of the Vietnam War
conference calls and webinars to allow Commemoration Advisory Committee.
for opportunities for interested members AGENCY: U.S. Air Force Academy Board
This meeting is open to the public.
of the public from all geographic areas of Visitors, Department of Defense.
DATES: The public meeting of the
to submit verbal comments on Draft ACTION: Quarterly meeting notice;
Vietnam War Commemoration Advisory
Amendment 10. These will be cancellation.
Committee (hereafter referred to as ‘‘the
announced at a later date and in the Committee’’) will be held on Monday,
SUMMARY: On Friday, August 19, 2016,
Federal Register. NMFS has also September 19, 2016. The meeting will
(81 FR 55454), the Department of
requested time on the meeting agendas begin at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.
Defense published in the Federal
of the relevant Regional Fishery ADDRESSES: U.S. Access Board
Register, a notice to announce the
Management Councils (i.e., the Conference Room, 1331 F Street NW.,
quarterly meeting of the United States
Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, South Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004.
Air Force Academy Board of Visitors on
Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and New
September 7 & 8, 2016. The meeting was FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
England Fishery Management Councils)
cancelled due to last-minute Committee’s Designated Federal Officer:
to present information on Draft
circumstances indicating there would The committee’s Designated Federal
Amendment 10. Information on the date
not be a quorum for the meeting. Officer is Mr. Michael Gable, Vietnam
and time of those presentations will be
provided on the appropriate council FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The War Commemoration Advisory
agendas. next scheduled USAFA BoV meeting Committee, 241 18th Street South,
The webinar presentation and has not been established, but will be Arlington, VA 22202,
conference call transcripts will be made published in the Federal Register at michael.l.gable.civ@mail.mil, 703–697–
available at this Web site: http:// least 15 days prior to the meeting. 4811. For meeting information please
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ For additional information or to contact Mr. Michael Gable,
documents/fmp/am10/index.html. attend this BoV meeting, contact Major michael.l.gable.civ@mail.mil, 703–697–
Transcripts from Council meetings may James Kuchta, Accessions and Training 4811; Mr. Mark Franklin,
be provided by the Councils on Division, AF/A1PT, 1040 Air Force mark.r.franklin.civ@mail.mil, 703–697–
respective Web sites. Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330, (703) 4849; or Ms. Scherry Chewning,
695–4066, James.L.Kuchta.mil@ scherry.l.chewning.civ@mail.mil, 703–
Public Hearing Code of Conduct mail.mil. 697–4908.
The public is reminded that NMFS Meeting Announcement: The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Due to
expects participants at public hearings Department of Defense had to cancel the circumstances beyond the control of the
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
and council meetings to conduct United States Air Force Academy Board Designated Federal Officer and the
themselves appropriately. At the of Visitors meeting on September 7 & 8, Department of Defense, the Vietnam
beginning of each meeting, a 2016 because last-minute circumstances War Commemoration Advisory
representative of NMFS will explain the indicated there would not be a quorum Committee was unable to provide public
ground rules (e.g., all comments are to for the meeting. Due to circumstances notification of its meeting of September
be directed to the agency on the beyond the control of the Designated 19, 2016, as required by 41 CFR 102–
proposed action; attendees will be Federal Officer and the Department of 3.150(a). Accordingly, the Advisory
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:12:27
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:12:27
| 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 Draft Environmental Assessment; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be received by December 22, 2016. | |
| Contact | Jennifer Cudney or Randy Blankinship by phone at (727) 824-5399. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 62100 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XD99 |
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