82_FR_41381 82 FR 41214 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental; Assessment for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric, Administration National Data Buoy Center

82 FR 41214 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental; Assessment for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric, Administration National Data Buoy Center

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 167 (August 30, 2017)

Page Range41214-41215
FR Document2017-18415

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 167 (Wednesday, August 30, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41214-41215]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18415]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)


Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental; 
Assessment for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric, Administration 
National Data Buoy Center

AGENCY: National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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DATES: The Draft PEA is available for public review and comment for 30 
days after posting. It can be accessed at http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/pea/ndbc_draft_pea.pdf.

[[Page 41215]]


ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment on the Draft PEA, please send 
comments via email to Joe Swaykos, NDBC Chief Scientist, at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Swaykos, National Data Buoy 
Center, Bldg 3205, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529; phone (228) 688-
4766; fax (228)688-1364; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), a part of the 
National Weather Service (NWS), designs, develops, operates, and 
maintains a network of moored buoys and coastal stations throughout the 
world's oceans, seas, and lakes for the purpose of civil earth marine 
observations. NDBC has prepared a Programmatic Environmental Assessment 
(PEA) to analyze the continued operational activities of its network of 
moored buoys and coastal stations.
    NDBC provides high quality ocean and coastal observations for 
public safety use in direct support of short range and extended range 
NWS forecasts, warnings, and watches. NDBC provides essential real-time 
oceanographic and meteorological observation data to stakeholders in 
key U.S. Economic Sectors, such as, Trade and Retail (i.e., maritime 
transportation) and Commercial sectors (i.e., energy, fishing, and 
agriculture). This valuable data provides users with up to the minute 
decision-making observations needed for safe commercial and marine 
recreation activities.
    NDBC operates a network composed of four formal NOAA Observing 
Systems of Record: (1) Coastal Weather Buoys (CWB); (2) the land-based 
Coastal-Marine Automated Network (C-MAN); (3) Tropical Atmosphere Ocean 
Array (TAO) and (4) Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis 
(DART). Currently, NDBC's network consists of 200 buoys and 46 C-MAN 
stations that transmit observations and data (i.e., wind speed and 
direction, barometric pressure, air temperature; sea surface 
temperatures, wave height and period, water currents, and conductivity) 
via satellite that are processed and quality-controlled, and then 
disseminated for public release in near real-time.
    In-situ real-time oceanographic and meteorological observations are 
critical to a wide variety of users such as federal, state, academic, 
and private industry stakeholders. These observations add value to a 
diverse spectrum of civil use applications including severe and routine 
weather forecasting; improved coastal ocean circulation models; 
commercial and recreational marine transportation and fishing; and 
environmental monitoring and research. The societal benefits of ocean 
observations are interconnected at local, regional, national, and 
international scales. The National Plan for Civil Earth Observations 
and the National Strategy for Sustained Network of Coastal Moorings 
identify the Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs) supported by NDBC ocean 
observations. These SBAs include scientific research, economic 
activities, and environmental and social domains. Many involve critical 
government functions, such as the protection of life and property (NSTC 
2014). The nine SBAs that are applicable to NDBC are: Climate; Coastal 
and Marine Hazards and Disasters; Ocean and Coastal Energy and Mineral 
Resources; Human Health; Ocean and Coastal Resources and Ecosystems; 
Marine Transportation; Water Resources; Coastal and Marine Weather; and 
Reference Measurements.
    Ocean observations are an indispensable component to measure and 
monitor our progress towards addressing societal challenges. Among the 
diverse sources of ocean observations, data buoys provide unique and 
invaluable information to support critical government functions, such 
as the protection of life and property. NDBC data are accessed on a 
daily basis, by millions of national and international stakeholders and 
assimilated into a myriad products and services.

    Dated: August 22, 2017.
David Holst,
Acting Chief Financial Officer/CAO, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-18415 Filed 8-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-KD-P

41214 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 2017 / Notices Estimated Time per Response: Share Title: Greater Atlantic Observers within 24 hours of the vessel owner’s Transfer Receipt form, Cost Recovery Providers’ Requirements. notification of a prospective trip; Fee Submission form, 1 minute; Share OMB Control Number: 0648–0546. maintain an updated contact list of all Transfer form, IFQ Close Account form, Form Number(s): None. observers that includes the observer Cost Recovery Fee Submission form, Type of Request: Regular (extension of identification number; observer’s name Landing Transaction Correction Request a currently approved information mailing address, email address, phone form, Landing Location Submission collection). numbers, homeports or fisheries/trip form, Transfer Allocation form, Cost Number of Respondents: 515. types assigned, and whether or not the Recovery Fee payment through pay.gov, Average Hours per Response: observer is ‘‘in service.’’ The regulations 3 minutes; Notification of Landing form, Application for approval of observer also require observer service providers service provider and applicant response submit any outreach materials, such as 5 minutes; Landing Transaction Report to denial of application for approval of form, 6 minutes; IFQ Online Account informational pamphlets, payment observer service provider, 10 hours Application form, 15 minutes; notification, and descriptions of each; observer service provider request Wreckfish Quota Share Transfer form, observer duties as well as all contracts for observer training, 30 minutes; 18 minutes. between the service provider and Estimated Total Annual Burden observer deployment report and entities requiring observer services for Hours: 2,322. observer availability reports, 10 minutes review to NMFS/NEFOP. Observer Estimated Total Annual Cost to each; safety refusal report, 30 minutes; service providers also have the option to Public: $150 in recordkeeping/reporting submission of raw observer data and respond to application denials, and costs. biological samples, 5 minutes each; submit a rebuttal in response to a observer debriefing, 2 hours; rebuttal of IV. Request for Comments pending removal from the list of pending removal from list of approved approved observer providers. These Comments are invited on: (a) Whether observer service providers, 8 hours; requirements allow NMFS/NEFOP to the proposed collection of information vessel request to observer service effectively administer the scallop is necessary for the proper performance provider for procurement of a certified observer program. of the functions of the agency, including observer, 25 minutes; vessel request for Affected Public: Business and other whether the information shall have waiver of observer coverage requirement for-profit organizations. practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the and observer contact list updates, 5 Frequency: Daily and on occasion. agency’s estimate of the burden minutes each; observer availability Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. (including hours and cost) of the updates, 1 minute; service provider This information collection request proposed collection of information; (c) material submissions and service may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow ways to enhance the quality, utility, and provider contracts, 30 minutes each. the instructions to view Department of clarity of the information to be Burden Hours: 5,250. Commerce collections currently under collected; and (d) ways to minimize the Needs and Uses: This request is for review by OMB. burden of the collection of information extension of a currently approved Written comments and on respondents, including through the information collection. recommendations for the proposed use of automated collection techniques Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery information collection should be sent or other forms of information Conservation and Management Act, the within 30 days of publication of this technology. Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) has notice to OIRA_Submission@ Comments submitted in response to the responsibility for the conservation omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806. this notice will be summarized and/or and management of marine fishery resources. Much of this responsibility Dated: August 25, 2017. included in the request for OMB Sarah Brabson, approval of this information collection; has been delegated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. they also will become a matter of public record. Administration (NOAA)/National [FR Doc. 2017–18371 Filed 8–29–17; 8:45 am] Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Dated: August 25, 2017. Under this stewardship role, the Sarah Brabson, Secretary was given certain regulatory NOAA PRA Clearance Officer. authorities to ensure the most beneficial DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [FR Doc. 2017–18372 Filed 8–29–17; 8:45 am] uses of these resources. One of the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P regulatory steps taken to carry out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric conservation and management Administration (NOAA) objectives is to collect data from users Notice of Availability of a Draft DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE of the resource. Programmatic Environmental; Regulations at 50 CFR 648.11(g) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Assessment for the National Oceanic require observer service providers to Administration and Atmospheric, Administration comply with specific requirements in National Data Buoy Center order to operate as an approved Submission for OMB Review; provider in the Atlantic sea scallop AGENCY: National Weather Service Comment Request (scallop) fishery. Observer service (NWS), National Oceanic and The Department of Commerce will providers must comply with the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), submit to the Office of Management and following requirements: Submit Department of Commerce (DOC). mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Budget (OMB) for clearance the applications for approval as an observer ACTION: Request for public comments. following proposal for collection of service provider; formally request information under the provisions of the observer training by the Northeast DATES: The Draft PEA is available for Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP); public review and comment for 30 days Chapter 35). submit observer deployment reports and after posting. It can be accessed at Agency: National Oceanic and biological samples; give notification of http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/pea/ndbc_ Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). whether a vessel must carry an observer draft_pea.pdf. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Aug 29, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 2017 / Notices 41215 ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment on including severe and routine weather ACTION:Notice; Issuance of an Incidental the Draft PEA, please send comments forecasting; improved coastal ocean Harassment Authorization. via email to Joe Swaykos, NDBC Chief circulation models; commercial and Scientist, at joe.swaykos@noaa.gov. recreational marine transportation and SUMMARY: In accordance with the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe fishing; and environmental monitoring regulations implementing the Marine Swaykos, National Data Buoy Center, and research. The societal benefits of Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as Bldg 3205, Stennis Space Center, MS ocean observations are interconnected at amended, notification is hereby given 39529; phone (228) 688–4766; fax local, regional, national, and that NMFS has issued an incidental (228)688–1364; email joe.swaykos@ international scales. The National Plan harassment authorization (IHA) to the noaa.gov. for Civil Earth Observations and the San Francisco Water Emergency National Strategy for Sustained Network Transportation Authority (WETA) to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The incidentally harass, by Level A and National Oceanic and Atmospheric of Coastal Moorings identify the Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs) supported by Level B harassment, marine mammals Administration (NOAA) National Data during in-water construction activities Buoy Center (NDBC), a part of the NDBC ocean observations. These SBAs include scientific research, economic associated with the Central Bay National Weather Service (NWS), Operations and Maintenance Facility designs, develops, operates, and activities, and environmental and social domains. Many involve critical Project in Alameda, CA. maintains a network of moored buoys government functions, such as the DATES: This Authorization is valid from and coastal stations throughout the protection of life and property (NSTC August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018. world’s oceans, seas, and lakes for the purpose of civil earth marine 2014). The nine SBAs that are FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: observations. NDBC has prepared a applicable to NDBC are: Climate; Laura McCue, Office of Protected Programmatic Environmental Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. Assessment (PEA) to analyze the Disasters; Ocean and Coastal Energy and Electronic copies of the applications continued operational activities of its Mineral Resources; Human Health; and supporting documents, as well as a network of moored buoys and coastal Ocean and Coastal Resources and list of the references cited in this stations. Ecosystems; Marine Transportation; document, may be obtained online at: NDBC provides high quality ocean Water Resources; Coastal and Marine www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ and coastal observations for public Weather; and Reference Measurements. incidental/construction.htm. In case of safety use in direct support of short Ocean observations are an problems accessing these documents, range and extended range NWS indispensable component to measure please call the contact listed above. forecasts, warnings, and watches. NDBC and monitor our progress towards SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: provides essential real-time addressing societal challenges. Among Background oceanographic and meteorological the diverse sources of ocean observation data to stakeholders in key observations, data buoys provide unique Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the U.S. Economic Sectors, such as, Trade and invaluable information to support MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct and Retail (i.e., maritime transportation) critical government functions, such as the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated and Commercial sectors (i.e., energy, the protection of life and property. to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the fishing, and agriculture). This valuable NDBC data are accessed on a daily basis, incidental, but not intentional, taking of data provides users with up to the by millions of national and international small numbers of marine mammals by minute decision-making observations stakeholders and assimilated into a U.S. citizens who engage in a specified needed for safe commercial and marine myriad products and services. activity (other than commercial fishing) recreation activities. Dated: August 22, 2017. within a specified geographical region if NDBC operates a network composed certain findings are made and either David Holst, of four formal NOAA Observing regulations are issued or, if the taking is Acting Chief Financial Officer/CAO, Office Systems of Record: (1) Coastal Weather limited to harassment, a notice of a of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Buoys (CWB); (2) the land-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric proposed authorization is provided to Coastal-Marine Automated Network (C– Administration. the public for review. MAN); (3) Tropical Atmosphere Ocean [FR Doc. 2017–18415 Filed 8–29–17; 8:45 am] An authorization for incidental Array (TAO) and (4) Deep-ocean takings shall be granted if NMFS finds BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis that the taking will have a negligible (DART). Currently, NDBC’s network impact on the species or stock(s), will consists of 200 buoys and 46 C–MAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE not have an unmitigable adverse impact stations that transmit observations and on the availability of the species or data (i.e., wind speed and direction, National Oceanic and Atmospheric stock(s) for subsistence uses (where barometric pressure, air temperature; Administration relevant), and if the permissible sea surface temperatures, wave height methods of taking and requirements and period, water currents, and RIN 0648–XF457 pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring conductivity) via satellite that are and reporting of such takings are set processed and quality-controlled, and Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to forth. then disseminated for public release in Specified Activities; Taking Marine NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible near real-time. Mammals Incidental to the Central Bay impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES In-situ real-time oceanographic and Operations and Maintenance Facility resulting from the specified activity that meteorological observations are critical Project cannot be reasonably expected to, and is to a wide variety of users such as not reasonably likely to, adversely affect federal, state, academic, and private AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the species or stock through effects on industry stakeholders. These Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and annual rates of recruitment or survival. observations add value to a diverse Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’ spectrum of civil use applications Commerce. means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:40 Aug 29, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1


Document Created: 2017-08-30 04:08:07
Document Modified: 2017-08-30 04:08:07
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
ActionRequest for public comments.
DatesThe Draft PEA is available for public review and comment for 30 days after posting. It can be accessed at http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/pea/ ndbc_draft_pea.pdf.
ContactJoe Swaykos, National Data Buoy Center, Bldg 3205, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529; phone (228) 688- 4766; fax (228)688-1364; email [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 41214 
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