82 FR 10746 - Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 30 (February 15, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 30 (February 15, 2017)
| Page Range | 10746-10747 | |
| FR Document | 2017-03054 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 10746-10747] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-03054] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF187 Fishing Capacity Reduction Program for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of unsuccessful referendum. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 10747]] SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to inform persons of the unsuccessful referendum for a second fishing capacity reduction loan in the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery, effective January 17, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Sturtevant at (301) 427-8799, fax (301) 713-1306, or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery is a commercial fishery in Alaska state waters and adjacent Federal waters. It encompasses the commercial taking of salmon with purse seine gear, and participation is limited to fishermen designated by the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC). Congress authorized a $23.5 million loan to finance a fishing capacity reduction program in the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery. NMFS published proposed program regulations on May 23, 2011 (76 FR 29707), and final program regulations on October 6, 2011 (76 FR 61986), to implement the reduction program. In 2012, NMFS conducted a referendum to determine the remaining fishermen's willingness to repay a $13.1 million fishing capacity reduction loan to remove 64 permits. After a majority of permit holders approved the loan, NMFS disbursed payments to the successful bidders and began collecting fees to repay the loan. In August 2016, the Southeast Revitalization Association (SRA) submitted a second capacity reduction plan to NMFS and NMFS approved the second plan in October 2016. Since only $13.1 million was expended from the total loan amount, $10.4 remains available. Approval of this second referendum would have resulted in a second loan of $5.8 million and permanently retired an additional 22 permits from the fishery. The final regulations required NMFS to provide public notice before conducting a referendum to determine the industry's willingness to repay a second fishing capacity reduction loan to purchase the permits identified in the second reduction plan. Comments on the proposed referendum were accepted until 5 p.m. EST December 7, 2016. Between November 14 and November 17, 2016, NMFS held a series of public meetings with Southeast Alaska purse seine salmon permit holders and interested individuals. The meetings were held in Sitka, AK, Ketchikan, AK, Petersburg, AK, and Seattle, WA. II. Present Status As of October 21, 2016, there were 315 permits in the fishery designated as S01A by CFEC. These permanent permit holders were eligible to vote in this second referendum. NMFS mailed referendum information, voting instructions, and a referendum ballot to each of the permit owners. The referendum voting period commenced December 13, 2016 and ended on January 13, 2017. Any votes received by NMFS after 5 p.m. on January 13, 2017, were not counted. NMFS issued 315 ballots. 50 CFR 600.1107 (e)(3)(ii), states that ``a successful referendum by a majority of the Permit Holders in the Reduction Fishery shall bind all parties and complete the reduction process,'' Therefore, a minimum of 158 ballots in favor of the buyback program was necessary to approve the new fees. NMFS received 180 (57%) timely and valid ballots. 132 were for approving the proposed buyback. As a result, the proposed buyback referendum was not successful and the second buyback loan was not approved. Dated: February 8, 2017. Brian T. Pawlak, CFO/Director, Office of Management and Budget, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-03054 Filed 2-14-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![10746 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 15, 2017 / Notices
This five-year (sunset) review and this notice to OIRA_Submission@ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
notice are in accordance with sections omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. Craig Cockrell at (301) 427–8503 or Rick
751(c) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 Pearson at (727) 824–5399.
Sheleen Dumas,
CFR 351.218(f)(4). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PRA Departmental Lead, Office of the Chief
Dated: February 9, 2017. Information Officer. Background
Ronald K. Lorentzen, [FR Doc. 2017–03038 Filed 2–14–17; 8:45 am] The application and Draft EA, as well
Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement BILLING CODE 3510–13–P as public comments received thus far,
and Compliance. are available for review on the HMS
[FR Doc. 2017–03048 Filed 2–14–17; 8:45 am] Management Division’s Web site at
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric compliance/efp/index.html. NMFS
Administration invites comments on the specific terms
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE and conditions of the EFP, if issued, and
RIN 0648–XF086 the analyses presented in the Draft EA.
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Extension of Comment Period
Exempted Fishing Permits; Extension The original comment period was
The Department of Commerce will of Public Comment Period scheduled to end on February 16, 2017.
submit to the Office of Management and AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Given interest from the public and to
Budget (OMB) for clearance the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and allow additional time for Regional
following proposal for collection of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fishery Management Councils to
information under the provisions of the Commerce. discuss the EFP application and Draft
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. EA at upcoming meetings, NMFS is
ACTION: Notice of receipt of an
Chapter 35). extending the public comment period
application for an exempted fishing
Agency: National Institute of for this action to March 29, 2017.
permit; extension of comment period;
Standards and Technology (NIST). Additionally, because of requests to
and announcement of a public webinar.
hold a public meeting in South Florida
Title: Building for Environmental and regarding this issue, NMFS has decided
SUMMARY: NMFS published a notice in
Economic Sustainability (BEES) Please. to hold a public webinar to facilitate
the Federal Register on January 17,
OMB Control Number: 0693–0036. 2017, announcing the receipt of an public comments from across the
Form Number(s): None. application for an exempted fishing geographic range of the U.S. Atlantic
permit (EFP) from Dr. David Kerstetter PLL fishery.
Type of Request: Renewal (of a
current information collection) with of Nova Southeastern University to Public Webinar
changes. evaluate pelagic longline (PLL) catch
and bycatch rates from within the The public webinar will be held on
Number of Respondents: 30. northern portion of the East Florida March 27, 2017, from 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Average Hours per Response: 63 Coast (EFC) PLL Closed Area and EST. Information on how to attend the
minutes. compare those rates to rates from webinar can be found on the HMS
outside the EFC PLL Closed Area. The Management Division’s Web page at:
Burden Hours: 31.5. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/
availability of a Draft Environmental
Needs and Uses: BEES Please is a Assessment (EA) analyzing the impacts compliance/efp/pll_efp_webinar.html.
voluntary program to collect data from of granting the application with certain Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16
product manufacturers so that the terms and conditions was also U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
environmental performance of their announced in the same Federal Register Dated: February 9, 2017.
products may be evaluated scientifically notice. NMFS provided a 30-day Karen H. Abrams,
using the BEES software. These data comment period in the January Federal Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
include product-specific materials use, Register notice, but given interest from Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
energy consumption, waste, and the public, NMFS is extending the [FR Doc. 2017–03010 Filed 2–14–17; 8:45 am]
environmental releases. BEES evaluates comment period for the action to March BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
these data, translates them into 29, 2017, and conducting a public
decision-enabling results, and delivers webinar on March 27, 2017, to facilitate
them in a visually intuitive graphical public comments. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
format. DATES: The public comment period for
Affected Public: Business or other for the notice published at 82 FR 4856, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
profit organizations. January 17, 2017, is extended from Administration
Frequency: On Occasion. February 16, 2017, until March 29, RIN 0648–XF187
2017.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be Fishing Capacity Reduction Program
This information collection request for the Southeast Alaska Purse Seine
submitted by any of the following
may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow Salmon Fishery
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
methods:
the instructions to view Department of • Email: nmfs.hms.pllefp@noaa.gov.
Commerce collections currently under AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Include in the subject line the following Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
review by OMB. identifier: 0648–XF086. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Written comments and • Mail: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Commerce.
recommendations for the proposed Highly Migratory Species Management
ACTION: Notice of unsuccessful
information collection should be sent Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West
referendum.
within 30 days of publication of this Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 15, 2017 / Notices 10747
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this notice to II. Present Status harassment, incidental to a Maritime
inform persons of the unsuccessful As of October 21, 2016, there were Weapon Systems Evaluation Program
referendum for a second fishing 315 permits in the fishery designated as (Maritime WSEP) within the Eglin Gulf
capacity reduction loan in the Southeast S01A by CFEC. These permanent permit Test and Training Range (EGTTR) in the
Alaska Purse Seine Salmon Fishery, holders were eligible to vote in this Gulf of Mexico from February 4, 2017
effective January 17, 2017. second referendum. NMFS mailed through February 3, 2018. Eglin AFB’s
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: referendum information, voting activities are military readiness
Michael Sturtevant at (301) 427–8799, instructions, and a referendum ballot to activities per the MMPA, as amended by
fax (301) 713–1306, or each of the permit owners. The the National Defense Authorization Act
michael.a.sturtevant@noaa.gov. referendum voting period commenced (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2004.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: December 13, 2016 and ended on DATES: Effective February 4, 2017
I. Background January 13, 2017. Any votes received by through February 3, 2018.
NMFS after 5 p.m. on January 13, 2017, ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of the
The Southeast Alaska Purse Seine were not counted. NMFS issued 315
Salmon Fishery is a commercial fishery final Authorization, Eglin AFB’s
ballots. 50 CFR 600.1107 (e)(3)(ii), states application and their final
in Alaska state waters and adjacent that ‘‘a successful referendum by a
Federal waters. It encompasses the Environmental Assessment (EA) titled,
majority of the Permit Holders in the ‘‘Maritime Weapons System Evaluation
commercial taking of salmon with purse Reduction Fishery shall bind all parties
seine gear, and participation is limited Program’’ are available by writing to Ms.
and complete the reduction process,’’ Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and
to fishermen designated by the Alaska Therefore, a minimum of 158 ballots in
Commercial Fisheries Entry Conservation Division, Office of
favor of the buyback program was Protected Resources, National Marine
Commission (CFEC). Congress
necessary to approve the new fees. Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
authorized a $23.5 million loan to
NMFS received 180 (57%) timely and Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; by
finance a fishing capacity reduction
valid ballots. 132 were for approving the telephoning the contacts listed here at
program in the Southeast Alaska Purse
proposed buyback. As a result, the 301–427–8401, or by visiting the
Seine Salmon Fishery. NMFS published
proposed buyback referendum was not internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
proposed program regulations on May
successful and the second buyback loan pr/permits/incidental/military.htm.
23, 2011 (76 FR 29707), and final
was not approved.
program regulations on October 6, 2011 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
(76 FR 61986), to implement the Dated: February 8, 2017. Dale Youngkin, Office of Protected
reduction program. Brian T. Pawlak, Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
In 2012, NMFS conducted a CFO/Director, Office of Management and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
referendum to determine the remaining Budget, National Marine Fisheries Service.
fishermen’s willingness to repay a $13.1 [FR Doc. 2017–03054 Filed 2–14–17; 8:45 am] Background
million fishing capacity reduction loan BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
to remove 64 permits. After a majority
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
of permit holders approved the loan,
as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et
NMFS disbursed payments to the DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce
successful bidders and began collecting
to allow, upon request, the incidental,
fees to repay the loan. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
In August 2016, the Southeast but not intentional, taking of small
Administration
Revitalization Association (SRA) numbers of marine mammals of a
RIN 0648–XE926 species or population stock, by U.S.
submitted a second capacity reduction
plan to NMFS and NMFS approved the citizens who engage in a specified
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to activity (other than commercial fishing)
second plan in October 2016. Since only Specified Activities; Taking Marine
$13.1 million was expended from the within a specified geographical region
Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Air if, after NMFS provides a notice of a
total loan amount, $10.4 remains Force Conducting Maritime Weapon
available. Approval of this second proposed authorization to the public for
Systems Evaluation Program review and comment and that NMFS
referendum would have resulted in a Operational Testing Within the Eglin
second loan of $5.8 million and makes certain findings.
Gulf Test and Training Range An Authorization for incidental
permanently retired an additional 22
permits from the fishery. The final AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries takings for marine mammals shall be
regulations required NMFS to provide Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and granted if NMFS finds that the taking
public notice before conducting a Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will have a negligible impact on the
referendum to determine the industry’s Commerce. species or stock(s), will not have an
willingness to repay a second fishing ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental unmitigable adverse impact on the
capacity reduction loan to purchase the harassment authorization. availability of the species or stock(s) for
permits identified in the second subsistence uses (where relevant), and if
reduction plan. SUMMARY: In accordance with the the permissible methods of taking and
Comments on the proposed Marine Mammal Protection Act requirements pertaining to the
referendum were accepted until 5 p.m. (MMPA) implementing regulations we mitigation, monitoring, and reporting of
EST December 7, 2016. Between (NMFS) hereby give notice that we have such taking are set forth. NMFS has
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
November 14 and November 17, 2016, issued an Incidental Harassment defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR
NMFS held a series of public meetings Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Air 216.103 as ‘‘an impact resulting from
with Southeast Alaska purse seine Force, Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin AFB), the specified activity that cannot be
salmon permit holders and interested to take two species of marine mammals, reasonably expected to, and is not
individuals. The meetings were held in the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin reasonably likely to, adversely affect the
Sitka, AK, Ketchikan, AK, Petersburg, (Tursiops truncatus) and Atlantic species or stock through effects on
AK, and Seattle, WA. spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), by annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’
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Document Created: 2017-02-15 00:55:06
Document Modified: 2017-02-15 00:55:06
| 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 unsuccessful referendum. | |
| Contact | Michael Sturtevant at (301) 427-8799, fax (301) 713-1306, or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 10746 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF18 |
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