81_FR_91023 81 FR 90782 - Draft 2016 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports; Correction

81 FR 90782 - Draft 2016 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports; Correction

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 241 (December 15, 2016)

Page Range90782-90783
FR Document2016-30171

We, NMFS, published a notice of the availability of the draft 2016 Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in the Federal Register on October 11, 2016. Subsequent to soliciting public comment on the draft 2016 SARs, we became aware that due to technical errors in converting between electronic formats, the draft Atlantic SARs contained incorrect information in some instances. We have corrected these errors and through this notice we announce the availability of revised draft Atlantic 2016 SARs for public comment through the end of the original 90-day comment period.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90782-90783]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30171]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE783


Draft 2016 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports; Correction

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

ACTION: Notice; correction.

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

SUMMARY: We, NMFS, published a notice of the availability of the draft 
2016 Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock 
assessment reports (SARs) in the Federal Register on October 11, 2016. 
Subsequent to soliciting public comment on the draft 2016 SARs, we 
became aware that due to technical errors in converting between 
electronic formats, the draft Atlantic SARs contained incorrect 
information in some instances. We have corrected these errors and 
through this notice we announce the availability of revised draft 
Atlantic 2016 SARs for public comment through the end of the original 
90-day comment period.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 9, 2017. If members of the 
public need additional time to review the draft Atlantic 2016 SARs, 
please contact Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected Resources, 301-
427-8402, Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov.

ADDRESSES: The 2016 draft SARs are available in electronic form via the 
Internet at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/draft.htm.
    You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2016-0101, by any 
of the following methods:
    Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0101, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Mail: Send comments or requests for copies of reports to: Chief, 
Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226, Attn: Stock Assessments.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by 
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after 
the end of the comment period. 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 
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: Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected 
Resources, 301-427-8402, Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 
1361

[[Page 90783]]

et seq.) requires NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to 
prepare stock assessments for each stock of marine mammals occurring in 
waters under the jurisdiction of the United States, including the 
Exclusive Economic Zone. These reports must contain information 
regarding the distribution and abundance of the stock, population 
growth rates and trends, estimates of annual human-caused mortality and 
serious injury (M/SI) from all sources, descriptions of the fisheries 
with which the stock interacts, and the status of the stock.
    The MMPA requires NMFS and FWS to review the SARs at least annually 
for strategic stocks and stocks for which significant new information 
is available, and at least once every three years for non-strategic 
stocks. The term ``strategic stock'' means a marine mammal stock: (A) 
for which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds the 
potential biological removal level; (B) which, based on the best 
available scientific information, is declining and is likely to be 
listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 
within the foreseeable future; or (C) which is listed as a threatened 
species or endangered species under the ESA. NMFS and the FWS are 
required to revise a SAR if the status of the stock has changed or can 
be more accurately determined. We published a notice of the 
availability of the draft 2016 Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional 
marine mammal SARs in the Federal Register on October 11, 2016 (81 FR 
70097).
    Subsequent to soliciting public comment on the draft 2016 SARs, we 
were made aware that the draft Atlantic 2016 SARs contained some 
technical errors. A problem with our electronic file formatting 
conversion introducted some erroneous numbers into the document. For 
example, in some of the tables contained in the reports (e.g., bycatch 
table in Atlantic white-sided dolphin), the ``years'' column and/or the 
``mean combined annual mortality'' column had incorrect values. In one 
case, the PBR for a stock was correct in the summary table, but 
incorrect in the text of the individual report. Most of the errors that 
we discovered in the reports involved incorrect text strike-throughs, 
where only a portion of a number was struck out, rather than the entire 
value.
    We immediately corrected the errors and posted a revised version of 
the draft Atlantic 2016 SARs on the NMFS Web site on December 1, 2016. 
With this Federal Register notice, we are notifying the public and 
soliciting comments on the revised version by January 9, 2017. If 
members of the public need additional time to review the draft Atlantic 
2016 SARs, please contact Shannon Bettridge (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

    Dated: December 12, 2016.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30171 Filed 12-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

90782 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Notices ADDRESSES: The application and related annually of the above animals may be regional marine mammal stock documents are available for review by captured for health assessments which assessment reports (SARs) in the selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public would include biological sampling, Federal Register on October 11, 2016. Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on auditory brainstem response tests, Subsequent to soliciting public the Applications and Permits for metabolic rate studies, ultrasound, x- comment on the draft 2016 SARs, we Protected Species (APPS) home page, rays, marking, tagging, tracking, and became aware that due to technical https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then release. Calves less than 8 months of age errors in converting between electronic selecting File No. 20455 from the list of and females with these calves would not formats, the draft Atlantic SARs available applications. be captured or remotely biopsy contained incorrect information in some These documents are also available sampled. Up to 25 adults or juveniles of instances. We have corrected these upon written request or by appointment each species annually would be errors and through this notice we in the Permits and Conservation remotely satellite tagged to test the announce the availability of revised Division, Office of Protected Resources, feasibility of a new experimental dorsal draft Atlantic 2016 SARs for public NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room fin attachment method. Two comment through the end of the original 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone unintentional mortalities of each species 90-day comment period. (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. could occur due to capture over the life DATES: Comments must be received by Written comments on this application of the permit. The following species January 9, 2017. If members of the should be submitted to the Chief, could be incidentally harassed during public need additional time to review Permits and Conservation Division, at surveys: Green sea turtle (Chelonia the draft Atlantic 2016 SARs, please the address listed above. Comments may mydas), hawksbill sea turtle contact Shannon Bettridge, Office of also be submitted by facsimile to (301) (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemp’s ridley Protected Resources, 301–427–8402, 713–0376, or by email to sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov. NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), ADDRESSES: The 2016 draft SARs are include the File No. in the subject line olive ridley sea turtle (L. olivacea), available in electronic form via the of the email comment. leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys Internet at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ Those individuals requesting a public coriacea), smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pr/sars/draft.htm. hearing should submit a written request pectinata), and gulf sturgeon (Acipenser You may submit comments, identified to the Chief, Permits and Conservation oxyrinchus desotoi). by NOAA–NMFS–2016–0101, by any of Division at the address listed above. The In compliance with the National the following methods: request should set forth the specific Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to reasons why a hearing on this U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial www.regulations.gov/ application would be appropriate. determination has been made that the #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: activity proposed is categorically 0101, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, Shasta McClenahan or Amy Hapeman, excluded from the requirement to complete the required fields, and enter (301) 427–8401. prepare an environmental assessment or or attach your comments. environmental impact statement. Mail: Send comments or requests for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Concurrent with the publication of copies of reports to: Chief, Marine subject permit is requested under the this notice in the Federal Register, Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation authority of the Marine Mammal NMFS is forwarding copies of the Division, Office of Protected Resources, Protection Act of 1972, as amended application to the Marine Mammal National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Commission and its Committee of East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD regulations governing the taking and Scientific Advisors. 20910–3226, Attn: Stock Assessments. importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). Dated: December 9, 2016. Instructions: NMFS may not consider The applicant requests a five-year Julia Harrison, comments if they are sent by any other permit to take bottlenose and spotted Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, method, to any other address or dolphins for scientific research to Office of Protected Resources, National individual, or received after the end of continue a long-term program to Marine Fisheries Service. the comment period. All comments evaluate the health, environmental [FR Doc. 2016–30083 Filed 12–14–16; 8:45 am] received are a part of the public record contamination, reproduction, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P and will generally be posted for public population structure and dynamics, viewing on www.regulations.gov acoustics, trophic patterns, life history, without change. All personal identifying social structure, and anthropogenic DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE information (e.g., name, address, etc.), effects on dolphins off the west coast of confidential business information, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric otherwise sensitive information Florida including bays, estuaries, and Administration submitted voluntarily by the sender will offshore waters. Up to 3,000 bottlenose and 1,000 spotted dolphins would be RIN 0648–XE783 be publicly accessible. NMFS will approached annually during vessel accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ surveys for photography, photo- Draft 2016 Marine Mammal Stock A’’ in the required fields if you wish to identification, video recording, Assessment Reports; Correction remain anonymous). behavioral observation, acoustic AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: playbacks, and passive acoustic Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES recording, with concurrent deployment Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Resources, 301–427–8402, of an unmanned aircraft system for Commerce. Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov. photogrammetry. Up to 250 bottlenose ACTION: Notice; correction. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and 100 spotted dolphins of the above animals may also be biopsy sampled SUMMARY: We, NMFS, published a Background during vessel surveys annually. Up to notice of the availability of the draft Section 117 of the Marine Mammal 50 bottlenose and 25 spotted dolphins 2016 Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:19 Dec 14, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15DEN1.SGM 15DEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 241 / Thursday, December 15, 2016 / Notices 90783 et seq.) requires NMFS and the U.S. Fish the draft Atlantic 2016 SARs, please Include in the subject line of the email and Wildlife Service (FWS) to prepare contact Shannon Bettridge (see FOR comment the following identifier: stock assessments for each stock of FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Comments on Colville Okanogan Tribal marine mammals occurring in waters Dated: December 12, 2016. Plan. The documents are available under the jurisdiction of the United Donna S. Wieting, online at States, including the Exclusive www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov. Director, Office of Protected Resources, Economic Zone. These reports must Comments received will also be National Marine Fisheries Service. contain information regarding the available for public inspection, by [FR Doc. 2016–30171 Filed 12–14–16; 8:45 am] distribution and abundance of the stock, appointment, during normal business BILLING CODE 3510–22–P population growth rates and trends, hours by calling (503) 230–5418. estimates of annual human-caused FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: mortality and serious injury (M/SI) from Natasha Meyers-Cherry at (503) 231– DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE all sources, descriptions of the fisheries 2178 or by email at natasha.meyers- with which the stock interacts, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric cherry@noaa.gov. status of the stock. Administration SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMPA requires NMFS and FWS to review the SARs at least annually for RIN 0648–XF076 ESA-Listed Species Covered in This strategic stocks and stocks for which Notice significant new information is available, Endangered and Threatened Species; Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus and at least once every three years for Take of Anadromous Fish tshawytscha): Endangered (but non-strategic stocks. The term ‘‘strategic AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries functionally extirpated in the analysis stock’’ means a marine mammal stock: Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and area), naturally produced Upper (A) for which the level of direct human- Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Columbia River spring-run. caused mortality exceeds the potential Commerce. Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened, biological removal level; (B) which, naturally produced and artificially ACTION: Notice; availability of evaluation based on the best available scientific propagated Upper Columbia River. of tribal resource management plan and information, is declining and is likely to request for comment. Background be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that The Confederated Colville Tribes have within the foreseeable future; or (C) the Confederated Colville Tribes have submitted to NMFS a Tribal Plan for which is listed as a threatened species submitted a Tribal Resource hatchery, fishery harvest, predator or endangered species under the ESA. Management Plan (Tribal Plan) to NMFS control, kelt reconditioning, and NMFS and the FWS are required to pursuant to the limitation on take monitoring and evaluation activities in revise a SAR if the status of the stock prohibitions for actions conducted the Okanogan River basin, in the upper has changed or can be more accurately under Tribal Plans promulgated under Columbia River basin in Washington determined. We published a notice of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The State. The Tribal Plan was submitted the availability of the draft 2016 Alaska, Tribal Plan specifies artificial February 4, 2014, pursuant to the Tribal Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine propagation, harvest, and research and ESA 4(d) Rule. mammal SARs in the Federal Register monitoring activities in the Okanogan The Tribal Plan describes actions on October 11, 2016 (81 FR 70097). River basin and portions of the upper involving fisheries, hatchery, predator Subsequent to soliciting public Columbia River. This document serves control, and kelt reconditioning comment on the draft 2016 SARs, we to notify the public of the availability activities (with associated monitoring were made aware that the draft Atlantic for comment of the proposed evaluation and evaluation) in the Okanogan Basin 2016 SARs contained some technical and Columbia River mainstem. The of the Secretary of Commerce errors. A problem with our electronic Tribal Plan is intended to contribute to (Secretary) as to whether file formatting conversion introducted the recovery of the steelhead population implementation of the Tribal Plan will some erroneous numbers into the in the Okanogan Basin, and to appreciably reduce the likelihood of document. For example, in some of the responsibly enhance fishing opportunity survival and recovery of ESA-listed tables contained in the reports (e.g., on non-listed Chinook salmon. Upper Columbia River Spring Chinook bycatch table in Atlantic white-sided As required by the ESA 4(d) rule for salmon and steelhead. dolphin), the ‘‘years’’ column and/or the Tribal Plans (65 FR 42481; July 10, This notice further advises the public ‘‘mean combined annual mortality’’ 2000), the Secretary is seeking public of the availability for review of a draft column had incorrect values. In one comment on her pending determination Environmental Assessment of the effects case, the PBR for a stock was correct in as to whether the Tribal Plan Chinook of the NMFS determination on the the summary table, but incorrect in the salmon would appreciably reduce the subject Tribal Plan. text of the individual report. Most of the likelihood of survival and recovery of errors that we discovered in the reports DATES: Comments must be received at the Upper Columbia River Steelhead involved incorrect text strike-throughs, the appropriate address or fax number Evolutionary Significant Unit. where only a portion of a number was (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5:00 p.m. struck out, rather than the entire value. Pacific time on December 30, 2016. Authority We immediately corrected the errors ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Under section 4 of the ESA, the and posted a revised version of the draft proposed evaluation and pending Secretary is required to adopt such rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Atlantic 2016 SARs on the NMFS Web determination should be addressed to regulations as she deems necessary and site on December 1, 2016. With this the NMFS Sustainable Fisheries advisable for the conservation of the Federal Register notice, we are Division, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., species listed as threatened. notifying the public and soliciting Portland, OR 97232. Comments may be The ESA Tribal 4(d) Rule (65 FR comments on the revised version by submitted by email. The mailbox 42481; July 10, 2000) states that the ESA January 9, 2017. If members of the address for providing email comments section 9 take prohibitions will not public need additional time to review is: OkanoganPlan.wcr@noaa.gov. apply to Tribal Plans that will not VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:19 Dec 14, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15DEN1.SGM 15DEN1


Document Created: 2016-12-15 01:11:00
Document Modified: 2016-12-15 01:11:00
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; correction.
DatesComments must be received by January 9, 2017. If members of the public need additional time to review the draft Atlantic 2016 SARs, please contact Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected Resources, 301- 427-8402, [email protected]
ContactShannon Bettridge, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8402, [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 90782 
RIN Number0648-XE78
2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR