82 FR 29520 - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 124 (June 29, 2017)

Page Range		29520-29521
FR Document		2017-13621

The Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) will hold a meeting.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 124 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 124 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29520-29521]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13621]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF503


Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice; public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (Council) will hold a meeting.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, July 19-20, 
2017, beginning at 1 p.m. on July 19 and concluding by 12:30 p.m. on 
July 20. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Royal Sonesta Harbor 
Court Baltimore, 550 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202; telephone: 
(410) 234-0550.
    Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. 
State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: (302) 674-2331; 
Web site: www.mafmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive 
Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, telephone: (302) 
526-5255.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this meeting is to make 
multi-year (2018-19) ABC recommendations for scup based on updated 
stock assessment information. The SSC will also review the currently 
implemented 2018 ABCs for summer flounder, black sea bass and bluefish 
based on the most recent fishery and survey data for each of these 
species. In addition, topics to be discussed include a discussion on 
the potential development of chub mackerel reference points, a review 
of the current generic Terms of Reference used for setting 
specifications and an SSC OFL Working Group progress report.
    A detailed agenda and background documents will be made available 
on the Council's Web site (www.mafmc.org) prior to the meeting.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Saunders, (302) 526-5251, at 
least 5 days prior to the meeting date.


[[Page 29521]]


    Dated: June 23, 2017.
Jeffrey N. Lonergan,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-13621 Filed 6-28-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

29520 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 124 / Thursday, June 29, 2017 / Notices

characterize daily and seasonal harassment per individual than for each be some overlap in individuals present
movement and distribution of affected incidence to accrue to a new individual. day-to-day at the project site, and the
marine mammals, it can be difficult to This is especially true for those total numbers of authorized takes are
distinguish between the number of individuals display some degree of expected to occur only within a small
individuals harassed and the instances residency or site fidelity and the portion of the overall regional stocks.
of harassment, and this can result in a impetus to use the site is stronger than Thus while we authorize the instances
take estimate that overestimates the the deterrence presented by the of incidental take shown in Table 5, we
number of individuals harassed. In harassing activity, as is the case with believe that the number of individual
particular, for stationary activities, such harbor seals that use Children’s Pool as marine mammals that will be
as the planned project, it is more likely a haulout. incidentally taken by the project will be
that some smaller number of individuals For the reasons described above, we
substantially lower than these numbers.
may accrue a number of incidences of expect that there will almost certainly

TABLE 5—ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF TAKE AND PERCENTAGES OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS THAT MAY BE TAKEN
Stock Percentage of
Level B take
Species abundance stock or
authorized estimate 1 population

Harbor seal .................................................................................................................................. 1,620 30,968 5
California sea lion ........................................................................................................................ 36 296,750 <1
Northern elephant seal ................................................................................................................ 14 179,000 <1
1 NMFS 2015 marine mammal stock assessment reports (Carretta et al., 2016) available online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.

Based on the analysis contained Authorization ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place
herein of the planned activity (including NMFS has issued an IHA to the City at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court
the mitigation and monitoring of San Diego for the take of small Baltimore, 550 Light Street, Baltimore,
measures) and the anticipated take of numbers of three marine mammal MD 21202; telephone: (410) 234–0550.
marine mammals, NMFS finds that species incidental to conducting Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery
small numbers of marine mammals will demolition and construction activities at Management Council, 800 N. State
be taken relative to the population size Coast Boulevard, La Jolla, California, Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901;
of the affected species or stocks. from June 1, 2017 through December 14, telephone: (302) 674–2331; Web site:
2017, provided the previously www.mafmc.org.
Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis
and Determination mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
reporting requirements. Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive
There are no relevant subsistence uses Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Dated: June 23, 2017.
of the affected marine mammal stocks or Management Council, telephone: (302)
species implicated by this action. Donna S. Wieting,
526–5255.
Therefore, NMFS has determined that Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
the total taking of affected species or purpose of this meeting is to make
stocks will not have an unmitigable [FR Doc. 2017–13581 Filed 6–28–17; 8:45 am]
multi-year (2018–19) ABC
adverse impact on the availability of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
recommendations for scup based on
such species or stocks for taking for updated stock assessment information.
subsistence purposes. The SSC will also review the currently
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Endangered Species Act (ESA) implemented 2018 ABCs for summer
National Oceanic and Atmospheric flounder, black sea bass and bluefish
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered based on the most recent fishery and
Administration
Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C. survey data for each of these species. In
1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal RIN 0648–XF503
addition, topics to be discussed include
agency insure that any action it a discussion on the potential
authorizes, funds, or carries out is not Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting development of chub mackerel reference
likely to jeopardize the continued points, a review of the current generic
existence of any endangered or AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Terms of Reference used for setting
threatened species or result in the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and specifications and an SSC OFL Working
destruction or adverse modification of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Group progress report.
designated critical habitat. To ensure Commerce. A detailed agenda and background
ESA compliance for the issuance of ACTION: Notice; public meeting. documents will be made available on
IHAs, NMFS consults internally with the Council’s Web site (www.mafmc.org)
our ESA Interagency Cooperation SUMMARY: The Science and Statistical prior to the meeting.
Division whenever we propose to Committee (SSC) of the Mid-Atlantic
authorize take for endangered or Fishery Management Council’s Special Accommodations
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

threatened species. (Council) will hold a meeting. These meetings are physically
No incidental take of ESA-listed DATES: The meeting will be held on accessible to people with disabilities.
species is authorized or expected to Wednesday and Thursday, July 19–20, Requests for sign language
result from this activity. Therefore, 2017, beginning at 1 p.m. on July 19 and interpretation or other auxiliary aid
NMFS has determined that formal concluding by 12:30 p.m. on July 20. should be directed to M. Jan Saunders,
consultation under section 7 of the ESA See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for (302) 526–5251, at least 5 days prior to
is not required for this action. agenda details. the meeting date.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 124 / Thursday, June 29, 2017 / Notices 29521

Dated: June 23, 2017. geographical region if certain findings incidental to pile driving and removal
Jeffrey N. Lonergan, are made and either regulations are in association with the San Francisco
issued or, if the taking is limited to
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Ferry Terminal Expansion Project,
harassment, a notice of a proposed
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. South Basin Improvements Project
[FR Doc. 2017–13621 Filed 6–28–17; 8:45 am] authorization is provided to the public (Project) in San Francisco Bay,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P for review. California. In-water work associated
An authorization for incidental with the project is expected to be
takings shall be granted if NMFS finds completed within 23 months. This IHA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE that the taking will have a negligible is for the first phase of construction
impact on the species or stock(s), will activities (June 1, 2017–May 31, 2018).
National Oceanic and Atmospheric not have an unmitigable adverse impact The use of both vibratory and impact
Administration on the availability of the species or pile driving and removal is expected to
RIN 0648–XF318 stock(s) for subsistence uses (where produce underwater sound at levels that
relevant), and if the permissible have the potential to result in behavioral
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to methods of taking and requirements harassment of marine mammals. Seven
Specified Activities; Taking Marine pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring species of marine mammals have the
Mammals Incidental to the San and reporting of such takings are set potential to be affected by the specified
Francisco Ferry Terminal Expansion forth. activities: Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina),
Project, South Basin Improvements NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible California sea lion (Zalophus
Project impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact californianus), Northern elephant seal
resulting from the specified activity that (Mirounga angustirostris), Northern fur
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries cannot be reasonably expected to, and is seal (Callorhinus ursinus), harbor
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and not reasonably likely to, adversely affect porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), gray
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the species or stock through effects on whale (Eschrichtius robustus), and
Commerce. annual rates of recruitment or survival. bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
ACTION: Notice; Issuance of an Incidental The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’ These species may occur year round in
Harassment Authorization. means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or the action area.
attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill WETA received authorization for take
SUMMARY: NMFS received a request from any marine mammal.
of marine mammals incidental to these
the San Francisco Bay Area Water Except with respect to certain same activities in 2016 (81 FR 43993;
Emergency Transportation Authority activities not pertinent here, the MMPA July 6, 2016); however construction
(WETA) for authorization to take marine defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of activities did not occur. Therefore, the
mammals incidental to construction pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) specified activities described in the
activities as part of a ferry terminal has the potential to injure a marine previous IHA are identical to the
expansion and improvements project. mammal or marine mammal stock in the activities described here. In addition,
Pursuant to the Marine Mammal wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has similar construction and pile driving
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is the potential to disturb a marine activities in San Francisco Bay have
announcing our issuance of an mammal or marine mammal stock in the been authorized by NMFS in the past.
incidental harassment authorization wild by causing disruption of behavioral These projects include construction
(IHA) to WETA to incidentally take patterns, including, but not limited to, activities at the Exploratorium (75 FR
marine mammals, by Level B migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, 66065; October 27, 2010), Pier 36 (77 FR
harassment only, during the specified feeding, or sheltering (Level B 20361; April 4, 2012), and the San
activity. harassment). Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (71 FR
DATES: This Authorization is effective National Environmental Policy Act 26750; May 8, 2006, 72 FR 25748;
from June 1, 2017 through May 31, August 9, 2007, 74 FR 41684; August 18,
2018. To comply with the National 2009, 76 FR 7156; February 9, 2011, 78
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 FR 2371; January 11, 2013, 79 FR 2421;
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and
Laura McCue, Office of Protected January 14, 2014, and 80 FR 43710; July
NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 23, 2015).
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. 216–6A, NMFS must review our
Electronic copies of the applications proposed action with respect to Description of the Specified Activity
and supporting documents, as well as a environmental consequences on the
list of the references cited in this Overview
human environment.
document, may be obtained online at: NMFS published an Environmental The WETA is expanding berthing
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ Assessment (EA) in 2016 on WETA’s capacity at the Downtown San
incidental/construction.htm. In case of ferry terminal construction activities. Francisco Ferry Terminal (Ferry
problems accessing these documents, NMFS found that there would be no Terminal), located at the San Francisco
please call the contact listed above. significant impacts to the human Ferry Building (Ferry Building), to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: environment and signed a finding of no support existing and future planned
significant impact (FONSI) on June 28, water transit services operated on San
Background Francisco Bay by WETA and WETA’s
2016. Because the activities and analysis
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the emergency operations. A detailed
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

are the same as WETA’s 2016 activities,
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct NMFS used the existing EA and signed description of the planned construction
the Secretary of Commerce to allow, a FONSI in May 2017 for WETA’s 2017 project is provided in the Federal
upon request, the incidental, but not activities. Register notice for the proposed IHA (82
intentional, taking of small numbers of FR 17799; April 13, 2017). Since that
marine mammals by U.S. citizens who Summary of Request time, no changes have been made to the
engage in a specified activity (other than NMFS received a request from WETA planned activities. Therefore, a detailed
commercial fishing) within a specified for an IHA to take marine mammals description is not provided here. Please

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Document Created: 2018-11-14 10:17:00
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 10:17:00

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; public meeting.
Dates		The meeting will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, July 19-20, 2017, beginning at 1 p.m. on July 19 and concluding by 12:30 p.m. on July 20. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for agenda details.
Contact		Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, telephone: (302) 526-5255.
FR Citation		82 FR 29520
RIN Number		0648-XF50

82 FR 29520 - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 124 (June 29, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration