82 FR 14694 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Scoping Process; Notification of Scoping Meetings; Request for Comments
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 54 (March 22, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 54 (March 22, 2017)
| Page Range | 14694-14695 | |
| FR Document | 2017-05601 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 14694-14695] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-05601] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF263 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Scoping Process; Notification of Scoping Meetings; Request for Comments AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare an environmental impact statement; scoping process; notification of scoping meetings; requests for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council announces its intent to prepare, in cooperation with NMFS, an environmental impact statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. An environmental impact statement may be necessary to assess potential effects on the human environment of an amendment to manage Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) as a stock in the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. This notice announces a public process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying significant issues related to Council management of Atlantic chub mackerel, including setting annual catch limits, accountability measures, and other conservation and management measures required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for stocks in the fishery. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 31, 2017. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:Email to the following address: [email protected]; Mail to Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19901. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Chub Mackerel Amendment Scoping Comments''; Fax to (302) 674-5399; or Verbally or in writing at six public scoping meetings. More information on this amendment is available at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/chub-mackerel-amendment. A scoping document will be posted to this site on or around April 18, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, (telephone 302-674-2331). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manages Atlantic mackerel, longfin squid and Illex squid throughout the U.S. east coast from Maine through Florida and butterfish from Maine through Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Current measures include limited entry, permit and reporting requirements, catch limits, possession limits, and gear restrictions, among others. A targeted commercial chub mackerel fishery developed in the Mid- Atlantic and Southern New England in recent years, averaging 2.86 million lb of landings over 2013-2015. In August 2016, the Council approved an annual landings limit and a possession limit for chub mackerel as part of the Unmanaged Forage Fish Omnibus Amendment. Rulemaking to implement these measures is currently being developed by NMFS. These measures would be the first regulations for chub mackerel fisheries off the U.S. Atlantic coast, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce. As proposed, these measures are temporary, and would expire three years after implementation. This is because the Council intends to develop alternatives for longer-term management of chub mackerel fisheries by integrating this species into the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP. The Council initiated an amendment to consider managing Atlantic chub mackerel as a ``stock in the fishery'' under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP in December 2016 when they approved their 2017 Implementation Plan. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) lists several required provisions of FMPs for stocks that are in the fishery, including: Annual catch limits (ACLs) specified in relation to acceptable biological catch limits recommended by the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee; Accountability measures for when the ACLs are exceeded; Essential fish habitat designations; and Definition of the management unit. The Council may also consider management measures not explicitly required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, but which may be necessary to prevent overfishing and promote long-term stability of Atlantic chub mackerel fisheries. These measures could include, but are not limited to: Permit requirements; Limited access; Commercial and/or recreational annual catch targets; Commercial quotas; Recreational harvest limits; Possession limits; Commercial and/or recreational minimum fish size restrictions; Gear restrictions; Reporting requirements; and Commercial and/or recreational fishing seasons. This amendment will affect targeted commercial chub mackerel fisheries [[Page 14695]] and, depending on the management measures considered, may also affect fisheries that catch chub mackerel incidentally (e.g., the Illex squid fishery) and recreational chub mackerel fisheries. Public Comment The Council seeks comments on the scope of alternatives to be considered in this amendment, as well as general comments or concerns relating to Council management of Atlantic chub mackerel. In addition to the public comment period provided for in this announcement, the Council will also hold multiple public scoping hearings on this amendment. The dates and locations of these hearings are listed below. The public will have the opportunity to provide additional comments during these hearings. After the scoping process is completed, the Council will begin development of alternatives for chub mackerel management measures, and may prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the impacts of the range of alternatives. If NMFS determines that the management alternatives under consideration are not expected to have significant impacts on the human environment, the Council and NMFS may prepare an environmental assessment (EA) in place of an EIS. This determination will depend on the scope of issues raised and the alternatives developed. Information obtained during the scoping process will be used to develop either an EIS or an EA as appropriate. If an EIS is developed to support this action, the Council will hold future public hearings to receive comment on the draft amendment and on the analysis of its impacts presented in the Draft EIS. Scoping Hearings Six scoping meetings to facilitate public comment will be held on the following dates and locations: 1. Thursday, May 4, 2017. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Kingsborough Community College, Room V-219. 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11235. Telephone: 718-368-5000. 2. Monday, May 15, 2017. 6:00-7:30 p.m. Virginia Marine Resources Commission 4th Floor Meeting Room. 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607. Telephone: 757-247-2200. 3. Tuesday, May 16, 2017. 6:30-8:00 p.m. Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort & Conference Center. 9100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842. Telephone: 410-524-7777. 4. Tuesday, May 23, 2017. 6:30-8:00 p.m. Congress Hall Hotel. 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204. Telephone: 888-944-1816. 5. Wednesday, May 24, 2017. 6:30-8:00 p.m. 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882. Telephone: 401-874-6222. 6. Wednesday, May 25, 2017. 6:00-7:30 p.m. Webinar. Audio and visual access available at http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/chubscoping/. The webinar can be accessed via phone only by calling 1-800-832-0736, Room #5068871. The scoping hearings are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Saunders (302-674-2331, ext. 18) at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 16, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-05601 Filed 3-21-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![14694 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / Notices
Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel scoping process; notification of scoping A targeted commercial chub mackerel
meetings; requests for comments. fishery developed in the Mid-Atlantic
The Dolphin Wahoo AP will receive and Southern New England in recent
a presentation on recent findings from SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery years, averaging 2.86 million lb of
the Dolphinfish Research Program and Management Council announces its landings over 2013–2015. In August
updates on recent Council actions intent to prepare, in cooperation with 2016, the Council approved an annual
relative to Amendment 10 to the NMFS, an environmental impact landings limit and a possession limit for
Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management statement in accordance with the chub mackerel as part of the
Plan. The amendment includes actions National Environmental Policy Act. An Unmanaged Forage Fish Omnibus
to address Optimum Yield for the environmental impact statement may be Amendment. Rulemaking to implement
dolphin fishery, revise the recreational necessary to assess potential effects on these measures is currently being
Annual Catch Target for dolphin, the human environment of an
developed by NMFS. These measures
establish a commercial Annual Catch amendment to manage Atlantic chub
would be the first regulations for chub
Target for dolphin, allow adaptive mackerel (Scomber colias) as a stock in
mackerel fisheries off the U.S. Atlantic
management of sector annual catch the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and
coast, if approved by the Secretary of
limits for dolphin, revise accountability Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.
Commerce. As proposed, these
measures for dolphin, revise the This notice announces a public process
measures are temporary, and would
acceptable biological catch control rule for determining the scope of issues to be
expire three years after implementation.
for dolphin and wahoo, allow vessels addressed and for identifying significant
This is because the Council intends to
with gear onboard that are not issues related to Council management of
develop alternatives for longer-term
authorized for use in the dolphin fishery Atlantic chub mackerel, including
setting annual catch limits, management of chub mackerel fisheries
to possess dolphin or wahoo, and by integrating this species into the
removes the Operator Card requirement. accountability measures, and other
conservation and management measures Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish
The AP will also discuss potential items FMP.
to include in future amendments to the required by the Magnuson-Stevens
The Council initiated an amendment
Dolphin Wahoo Fishery Management Fishery Conservation and Management
Act for stocks in the fishery. to consider managing Atlantic chub
Plan. The AP will provide mackerel as a ‘‘stock in the fishery’’
recommendations as appropriate. DATES: Written comments must be
under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and
received on or before May 31, 2017. Butterfish FMP in December 2016 when
Special Accommodations
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be they approved their 2017
These meetings are accessible to sent by any of the following methods: Implementation Plan. The Magnuson-
people with disabilities. Requests for • Email to the following address: Stevens Fishery Conservation and
auxiliary aids should be directed to the nmfs.gar.chubmackerel@noaa.gov; Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
SAFMC office (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 • Mail to Dr. Christopher M. Moore,
Act) lists several required provisions of
business days prior to the meeting. Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic
FMPs for stocks that are in the fishery,
Fishery Management Council, 800 North
Note: The times and sequence specified in including:
State Street, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware
this agenda are subject to change. • Annual catch limits (ACLs)
19901. Mark the outside of the envelope
specified in relation to acceptable
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. ‘‘Chub Mackerel Amendment Scoping
biological catch limits recommended by
Comments’’;
Dated: March 17, 2017. • Fax to (302) 674–5399; or the Council’s Scientific and Statistical
Jeffrey N. Lonergan, • Verbally or in writing at six public Committee;
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable scoping meetings. • Accountability measures for when
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. More information on this amendment the ACLs are exceeded;
is available at http://www.mafmc.org/ • Essential fish habitat designations;
[FR Doc. 2017–05678 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
actions/chub-mackerel-amendment. A and
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
scoping document will be posted to this • Definition of the management unit.
The Council may also consider
site on or around April 18, 2017.
management measures not explicitly
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
Christopher M. Moore, Mid-Atlantic but which may be necessary to prevent
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Fishery Management Council, 800 North
Administration overfishing and promote long-term
State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, stability of Atlantic chub mackerel
(telephone 302–674–2331). fisheries. These measures could include,
RIN 0648–XF263 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: but are not limited to:
Fisheries of the Northeastern United Background • Permit requirements;
States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and • Limited access;
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery • Commercial and/or recreational
Butterfish Fisheries; Notice of Intent Management Council manages Atlantic annual catch targets;
To Prepare an Environmental Impact mackerel, longfin squid and Illex squid • Commercial quotas;
Statement; Scoping Process; throughout the U.S. east coast from • Recreational harvest limits;
Notification of Scoping Meetings; Maine through Florida and butterfish • Possession limits;
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Request for Comments from Maine through Cape Hatteras, • Commercial and/or recreational
North Carolina, under the Atlantic minimum fish size restrictions;
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery • Gear restrictions;
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Management Plan (FMP). Current • Reporting requirements; and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), measures include limited entry, permit • Commercial and/or recreational
Commerce. and reporting requirements, catch fishing seasons.
ACTION:Notice; intent to prepare an limits, possession limits, and gear This amendment will affect targeted
environmental impact statement; restrictions, among others. commercial chub mackerel fisheries
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / Notices 14695
and, depending on the management Place, Cape May, NJ 08204. Telephone: U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee, U.S.
measures considered, may also affect 888–944–1816. IOOS Program, 1315 East-West
fisheries that catch chub mackerel 5. Wednesday, May 24, 2017. 6:30– Highway, Second Floor, Silver Spring,
incidentally (e.g., the Illex squid fishery) 8:00 p.m. 215 South Ferry Road, MD 20910; Phone (240) 533–9456; Fax
and recreational chub mackerel Narragansett, RI 02882. Telephone: 401– (301) 713–3281; Email carl.gouldman@
fisheries. 874–6222. noaa.gov or visit the U.S. IOOS
6. Wednesday, May 25, 2017. 6:00– Advisory Committee Web site at http://
Public Comment
7:30 p.m. Webinar. Audio and visual ioos.noaa.gov/community/u-s-ioos-
The Council seeks comments on the access available at http://mafmc advisory-committee/.
scope of alternatives to be considered in .adobeconnect.com/chubscoping/. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
this amendment, as well as general webinar can be accessed via phone only Committee was established by the
comments or concerns relating to by calling 1–800–832–0736, Room NOAA Administrator as directed by
Council management of Atlantic chub #5068871. Section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal
mackerel. In addition to the public The scoping hearings are accessible to and Ocean Observation System Act, part
comment period provided for in this people with disabilities. Requests for of the Omnibus Public Land
announcement, the Council will also sign language interpretation or other Management Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–
hold multiple public scoping hearings auxiliary aid should be directed to M. 11). The Committee advises the NOAA
on this amendment. The dates and Jan Saunders (302–674–2331, ext. 18) at Administrator and the Interagency
locations of these hearings are listed least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC)
below. The public will have the
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. on matters related to the responsibilities
opportunity to provide additional
Dated: March 16, 2017. and authorities set forth in section
comments during these hearings. After
Emily H. Menashes,
12302 of the Integrated Coastal and
the scoping process is completed, the
Ocean Observation System Act of 2009
Council will begin development of Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
and other appropriate matters as the
alternatives for chub mackerel
Under Secretary refers to the Committee
management measures, and may prepare [FR Doc. 2017–05601 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
for review and advice. The Committee
an environmental impact statement BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
will provide advice on:
(EIS) to analyze the impacts of the range
(a) Administration, operation,
of alternatives. If NMFS determines that
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE management, and maintenance of the
the management alternatives under
System;
consideration are not expected to have
National Oceanic and Atmospheric (b) Expansion and periodic
significant impacts on the human
Administration modernization and upgrade of
environment, the Council and NMFS
technology components of the System;
may prepare an environmental
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing (c) Identification of end-user
assessment (EA) in place of an EIS. This
System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee communities, their needs for
determination will depend on the scope
information provided by the System,
of issues raised and the alternatives AGENCY: National Ocean Service, and the System’s effectiveness in
developed. Information obtained during National Oceanic and Atmospheric dissemination information to end-user
the scoping process will be used to Administration (NOAA), Department of communities and to the general public;
develop either an EIS or an EA as Commerce. and
appropriate. If an EIS is developed to ACTION: Notice of open meeting. (d) Any other purpose identified by
support this action, the Council will
the Under Secretary of Commerce for
hold future public hearings to receive SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of a
Oceans and Atmosphere or the
comment on the draft amendment and meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean
Interagency Ocean Observation
on the analysis of its impacts presented Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory
Committee.
in the Draft EIS. Committee (Committee) in Washington,
The meeting will be open to public
DC.
Scoping Hearings participation with a 15-minute public
DATES: The meeting will be held on comment period on April 19, 2017, from
Six scoping meetings to facilitate Wednesday, April 19, 2017, from 8:30
public comment will be held on the 4:35 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. and on April 20,
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 2017, from 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. (check
following dates and locations: 20, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
1. Thursday, May 4, 2017. 7:00–9:00 agenda on Web site to confirm time.)
These times and the agenda topics The Committee expects that public
p.m. Kingsborough Community College, described below are subject to change.
Room V–219. 2001 Oriental Boulevard, statements presented at its meetings will
Refer to the Web page listed below for not be repetitive of previously
Brooklyn, NY 11235. Telephone: 718– the most up-to-date meeting agenda.
368–5000. submitted verbal or written statements.
2. Monday, May 15, 2017. 6:00–7:30 ADDRESSES: On Wednesday, April 19, In general, each individual or group
p.m. Virginia Marine Resources 2017, the meeting will be held in the making a verbal presentation will be
Commission 4th Floor Meeting Room. Conference Room, 11th Floor, limited to a total time of three (3)
2600 Washington Avenue, Newport Consortium for Ocean Leadership, 1201 minutes. The Designated Federal
New York Avenue NW., Washington, Official should receive written
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
News, VA 23607. Telephone: 757–247–
2200. DC 20005. On Thursday, April 20, 2017, comments by April 18, 2017, to provide
3. Tuesday, May 16, 2017. 6:30–8:00 the meeting will be held in the sufficient time for Committee review.
p.m. Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort Conference Room, 4th Floor, Written comments received after April
& Conference Center. 9100 Coastal Consortium for Ocean Leadership, 1201 18, 2017, will be distributed to the
Highway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842. New York Avenue NW., Washington, Committee, but may not be reviewed
Telephone: 410–524–7777. DC 20005. prior to the meeting date. Seats will be
4. Tuesday, May 23, 2017. 6:30–8:00 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl available on a first-come, first-served
p.m. Congress Hall Hotel. 200 Congress Gouldman, Designated Federal Official, basis.
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Document Created: 2017-03-22 03:58:45
Document Modified: 2017-03-22 03:58:45
| 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; intent to prepare an environmental impact statement; scoping process; notification of scoping meetings; requests for comments. | |
| Dates | Written comments must be received on or before May 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, (telephone 302-674-2331). | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 14694 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF26 |
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