82 FR 44984 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Whiting; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 21-3; Trawl Rationalization Program
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 186 (September 27, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 186 (September 27, 2017)
| Page Range | 44984-44985 | |
| FR Document | 2017-20692 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2017)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 44984-44985] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-20692] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 RIN 0648-BG98 Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Whiting; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 21-3; Trawl Rationalization Program AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 21-3 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, Amendment 21-3 would modify the PCGFMP to manage darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean perch (POP), currently overfished species, as set-asides or ``soft-caps'' rather than with allocations, or ``hard caps'' for the Pacific whiting at-sea sectors. This action is intended to avoid the risk of early fishery closures of the at-sea Pacific whiting sectors due to incidental catch of darkblotched rockfish and POP, while keeping the catch of these species within their respective annual catch limits (ACLs). DATES: Comments on Amendment 21-3 must be received on or before Sunday, November 27, 2017. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0102, by any of the following methods:Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0102, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to Barry A. Thom., Regional Administrator, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. [[Page 44985]] Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. 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). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Information relevant to Amendment 21-3, which includes a memo categorically excluding this action from National Environmental Protection Act, a regulatory impact review (RIR), and an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (RFA) are available for public review during business hours at the NMFS West Coast Regional Office at 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115, or by requesting them via phone or the email address listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Copies of additional reports referred to in this document may also be obtained from the Council. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miako Ushio, phone: 206-526-4644, or email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access FMP Amendment 21-3, background information and documents are available at the Council's Web site at http://www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/fishery-management-plan/groundfish-amendments-in-development/. Additional background documents are available at the NMFS West Coast Region Web site at http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/groundfish/index.html. Background NMFS manages the groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic zone off Washington, Oregon, and California under the PCGFMP. The Council prepared and NMFS implemented the PCGFMP under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. and by regulations at 50 CFR parts 600 and 660. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that each regional fishery management council submit any federal management plan (FMP) or plan amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial approval by the Secretary of Commerce. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an FMP or amendment, immediately publish a notice that the FMP or amendment is available for public review and comment. This notice announces that proposed Amendment 21-3 to the PCGFMP is available for public review and comment. NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment period described above in determining whether to approve, partially approve, or disapprove Amendment 21-3 to the PCGFMP. Amendment 21-3 consists of two components: (1) Changes in the way two overfished species, darkblotched rockfish and POP are managed in the Pacific whiting at-sea sectors, and (2) allows automatic closure by NMFS of one or both of the at-sea sectors in the event that the set- aside plus the available reserve for unforeseen catch events (known as the ``buffer'') of either species is projected to be reached. The Council has been exploring alternative management measures with the purpose of substantially reducing the risk of the Pacific whiting at-sea sectors (mothership [MS] and catcher processor [CP]) not attaining their respective whiting allocations based on the incidental catch of darkblotched rockfish or POP, which are currently overfished species subject to rebuilding plans. Timeliness and administrative feasibility were important considerations of the Council in exploring these measures. The proposed FMP amendment is intended to be an interim solution to address the immediate needs of the at-sea sectors with regards to incidental catch of darkblotched rockfish or POP. NMFS welcomes comments on the proposed FMP amendment through the end of the comment period. A proposed rule to implement Amendment 21-3 has been submitted for Secretarial review and approval. NMFS expects to publish and request public review and comment on proposed regulations to implement Amendment 21-3 in the near future. For public comments on the proposed rule to be considered in the approval or disapproval decision on Amendment 21-3, those comments must be received by the end of the comment period on the amendment. All comments received by the end of the comment period for the amendment, whether specifically directed to the amendment or the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/disapproval decision. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 22, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-20692 Filed 9-26-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![44984 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 27, 2017 / Proposed Rules
Commission exempts records that anticipates no adverse comments. A Dated: September 11, 2017.
contain properly classified information detailed rationale for the approval is set Cecil Rodrigues,
pertaining to national defense or foreign forth in the direct final rule. If no Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.
policy. Application of exemption (k)(1) adverse comments are received in [FR Doc. 2017–20599 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
may be necessary to preclude response to this action, no further BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
individuals’ access to or amendment of activity is contemplated. If EPA receives
such classified information under the adverse comments, the direct final rule
Privacy Act. Pursuant to section will be withdrawn and all public DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
552a(k)(2) of the Privacy Act, and in comments received will be addressed in
order to protect the effectiveness of a subsequent final rule based on this National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Inspector General investigations by proposed rule. EPA will not institute a Administration
preventing individuals who may be the second comment period. Any parties
subject of an investigation from 50 CFR Part 660
interested in commenting on this action
obtaining access to the records and thus
should do so at this time. RIN 0648–BG98
obtaining the opportunity to conceal or
destroy evidence or to intimidate DATES: Comments must be received in Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;
witnesses, the Commission exempts writing by October 27, 2017. Fisheries Off West Coast States;
records insofar as they include Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;
investigatory material compiled for law ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03– Pacific Whiting; Pacific Coast
enforcement purposes. However, if any Groundfish Fishery Management Plan;
individual is denied any right, privilege, OAR–2013–0408 at http://
Amendment 21–3; Trawl
or benefit to which he is otherwise www.regulations.gov, or via email to
Rationalization Program
entitled under Federal law due to the stahl.cynthia@epa.gov. For comments
maintenance of this material, such submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
material shall be provided to such online instructions for submitting Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
individual except to the extent that the comments. Once submitted, comments Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
disclosure of such material would reveal cannot be edited or removed from Commerce.
the identity of a source who furnished Regulations.gov. For either manner of ACTION: Notice of availability; request
information to the Government under an submission, EPA may publish any for comments.
express promise that the identity of the comment received to its public docket. SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the
source would be held in confidence. Do not submit electronically any Pacific Fishery Management Council
By order of the Commission. information you consider to be (Council) submitted Amendment 21–3
Issued: September 21, 2017. confidential business information (CBI) to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Lisa R. Barton, or other information whose disclosure is Management Plan (PCGFMP) to the
Secretary to the Commission. restricted by statute. Multimedia Secretary of Commerce for review. If
[FR Doc. 2017–20615 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be approved, Amendment 21–3 would
accompanied by a written comment. modify the PCGFMP to manage
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
The written comment is considered the darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean
official comment and should include perch (POP), currently overfished
discussion of all points you wish to species, as set-asides or ‘‘soft-caps’’
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
make. EPA will generally not consider rather than with allocations, or ‘‘hard
AGENCY caps’’ for the Pacific whiting at-sea
comments or comment contents located
40 CFR Part 52 outside of the primary submission (i.e. sectors. This action is intended to avoid
on the web, cloud, or other file sharing the risk of early fishery closures of the
[EPA–R03–OAR–2013–0408; FRL–9968–19– at-sea Pacific whiting sectors due to
Region 3]
system). For additional submission
methods, please contact the person incidental catch of darkblotched
identified in the FOR FURTHER rockfish and POP, while keeping the
Air Plan Approval; Delaware; State catch of these species within their
Implementation Plan for Interstate INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the
full EPA public comment policy, respective annual catch limits (ACLs).
Transport for the 2008 Ozone Standard
information about CBI or multimedia DATES: Comments on Amendment 21–3
AGENCY: Environmental Protection submissions, and general guidance on must be received on or before Sunday,
Agency (EPA). making effective comments, please visit November 27, 2017.
ACTION: Proposed rule. http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/ ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
commenting-epa-dockets. on this document, identified by NOAA–
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection NMFS–2017–0102, by any of the
Agency (EPA) proposes to approve a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: following methods:
portion of the state implementation plan Ellen Schmitt, (215) 814–5787, or by • Electronic Submission: Submit all
(SIP) revision submitted by the State of email at schmitt.ellen@epa.gov. electronic public comments via the
Delaware that pertains to the interstate
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
transport requirements of the Clean Air SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For www.regulations.gov/
Act (CAA) for the 2008 ozone national further information, please see the #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). information provided in the direct final 0102, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
In the Final Rules section of this issue action, with the same title, ‘‘State complete the required fields, and enter
of the Federal Register, EPA is Implementation Plan for Interstate or attach your comments.
approving the State’s SIP submittal as a Transport for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS,’’ • Mail: Submit written comments to
direct final rule without prior proposal that is located in the ‘‘Rules and Barry A. Thom., Regional
because the Agency views this as a Regulations’’ section of this issue of the Administrator, 7600 Sand Point Way
noncontroversial submittal and Federal Register. NE., Seattle, WA 98115.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 27, 2017 / Proposed Rules 44985
Instructions: Comments sent by any available at the NMFS West Coast The Council has been exploring
other method, to any other address or Region Web site at http:// alternative management measures with
individual, or received after the end of www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ the purpose of substantially reducing
the comment period, may not be fisheries/groundfish/index.html. the risk of the Pacific whiting at-sea
considered by NMFS. All comments sectors (mothership [MS] and catcher
Background
received are a part of the public record processor [CP]) not attaining their
and will generally be posted for public NMFS manages the groundfish respective whiting allocations based on
viewing on www.regulations.gov fisheries in the exclusive economic zone the incidental catch of darkblotched
without change. All personal identifying off Washington, Oregon, and California
rockfish or POP, which are currently
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), under the PCGFMP. The Council
overfished species subject to rebuilding
confidential business information, or prepared and NMFS implemented the
PCGFMP under the authority of the plans. Timeliness and administrative
otherwise sensitive information feasibility were important
submitted voluntarily by the sender will Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act considerations of the Council in
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
(Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801 exploring these measures. The proposed
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to et seq. and by regulations at 50 CFR FMP amendment is intended to be an
remain anonymous). Attachments to parts 600 and 660. The Magnuson- interim solution to address the
electronic comments will be accepted in Stevens Act requires that each regional immediate needs of the at-sea sectors
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF fishery management council submit any with regards to incidental catch of
file formats only. federal management plan (FMP) or plan darkblotched rockfish or POP.
Information relevant to Amendment amendment it prepares to NMFS for NMFS welcomes comments on the
21–3, which includes a memo review and approval, disapproval, or proposed FMP amendment through the
categorically excluding this action from partial approval by the Secretary of end of the comment period. A proposed
National Environmental Protection Act, Commerce. The Magnuson-Stevens Act rule to implement Amendment 21–3 has
a regulatory impact review (RIR), and an also requires that NMFS, upon receiving been submitted for Secretarial review
initial regulatory flexibility analysis an FMP or amendment, immediately and approval. NMFS expects to publish
(RFA) are available for public review publish a notice that the FMP or and request public review and comment
during business hours at the NMFS amendment is available for public on proposed regulations to implement
West Coast Regional Office at 7600 Sand review and comment. This notice Amendment 21–3 in the near future. For
Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115, or by announces that proposed Amendment public comments on the proposed rule
requesting them via phone or the email 21–3 to the PCGFMP is available for to be considered in the approval or
address listed in the FOR FURTHER public review and comment. NMFS will disapproval decision on Amendment
INFORMATION CONTACT section. Copies of consider the public comments received 21–3, those comments must be received
additional reports referred to in this during the comment period described
by the end of the comment period on
document may also be obtained from above in determining whether to
the Council. the amendment. All comments received
approve, partially approve, or
by the end of the comment period for
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: disapprove Amendment 21–3 to the
the amendment, whether specifically
Miako Ushio, phone: 206–526–4644, or PCGFMP.
Amendment 21–3 consists of two directed to the amendment or the
email: Miako.Ushio@noaa.gov.
components: (1) Changes in the way two proposed rule, will be considered in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
overfished species, darkblotched approval/disapproval decision.
Electronic Access rockfish and POP are managed in the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
FMP Amendment 21–3, background Pacific whiting at-sea sectors, and (2) Dated: September 22, 2017.
information and documents are allows automatic closure by NMFS of
available at the Council’s Web site at one or both of the at-sea sectors in the Emily H. Menashes,
http://www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/ event that the set-aside plus the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
fishery-management-plan/groundfish- available reserve for unforeseen catch Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
amendments-in-development/. events (known as the ‘‘buffer’’) of either [FR Doc. 2017–20692 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
Additional background documents are species is projected to be reached. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS
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Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:45:51
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:45:51
| 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 | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Notice of availability; request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments on Amendment 21-3 must be received on or before Sunday, November 27, 2017. | |
| Contact | Miako Ushio, phone: 206-526-4644, or email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 44984 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-BG98 |
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