83 FR 13955 - Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 63 (April 2, 2018)

Page Range		13955-13957
FR Document		2018-06611

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (CEQ), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces its intention to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to evaluate potential environmental effects associated with continued implementation of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP). In addition, this PEIS will address changes to increase efficiencies made in the program since the initial MMHSRP PEIS was published in 2009. These updates include changes to the Best Practices for Marine Mammal Stranding Response, Rehabilitation and Release (Policies and Practices), as well as other aspects of the program including large whale entanglement response, health surveillance, research, morbidity and mortality investigations, and assessments.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 63 (Monday, April 2, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13955-13957]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06611]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG041

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Marine
Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a PEIS; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (CEQ), the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces its intention to prepare a
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to evaluate
potential environmental effects associated with continued
implementation of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response
Program

[[Page 13956]]

(MMHSRP). In addition, this PEIS will address changes to increase
efficiencies made in the program since the initial MMHSRP PEIS was
published in 2009. These updates include changes to the Best Practices
for Marine Mammal Stranding Response, Rehabilitation and Release
(Policies and Practices), as well as other aspects of the program
including large whale entanglement response, health surveillance,
research, morbidity and mortality investigations, and assessments.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 1, 2018. Scoping meetings are
scheduled as follows:

1. May 1, 2018, 3 p.m. EDT--Webinar (Registration Required)
2. May 15, 2018, 3:30 p.m. EDT--Webinar (Registration Required)
3. May 18, 2018, 3 p.m. EDT--(valid ID compliant with the REAL ID Act
required)--NOAA Science Center, 1301 East-West Highway, Silver Spring,
MD
4. May 21, 2018, 10:30 a.m. EDT--Webinar (Registration Required)

ADDRESSES: Those wishing to attend either the webinars or in-person
meeting must register at https://mmhsrp-peis.eventbrite.com. Valid ID
that is compliant with the REAL ID Act is required to attend the in-
person scoping meeting on May 18, 2018. Further information on types of
ID that comply with this Act can be found at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs. Foreign nationals wishing to attend the in-person
meeting must contact Stephen Manley 30 days in advance.
NMFS invites comments from all interested parties regarding the
scope and content of a PEIS for changes and updates to the MMHSRP. For
additional background and reference, the previous MMHSRP PEIS published
in 2009 is available in electronic form via the internet at https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/4939. Comments may be submitted
using either of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0036, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Send comments to: Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle
Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-
3226, Attn: MMHSRP PEIS.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public
record and will generally be posted to http://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 is publicly
accessible. NMFS will also accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in
the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Manley, NMFS, Office of
Protected Resources, 301-427-8402, Stephen.Manley@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Pursuant to Title IV of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16
U.S.C. 1421), NMFS implements the MMHSRP. The mandated goals and
purposes of the MMHSRP are to: (1) Facilitate the collection and
dissemination of reference data on the health of marine mammals and
health trends of marine mammal populations in the wild; (2) correlate
the health of marine mammals and marine mammal populations in the wild,
with available data on physical, chemical, and biological environmental
parameters; and (3) coordinate effective responses to unusual mortality
events in accordance with section 404 of the MMPA.
To meet the goals of the MMPA, the MMHSRP carries out several
important activities, including: Coordinating the National Marine
Mammal Stranding Network, the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue
Assistance Grant Program, the National Marine Mammal Entanglement
Response Program, the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event and
Emergency Response Programs, the Marine Mammal Biomonitoring Program,
the Marine Mammal Tissue Bank, the Marine Mammal Analytical Quality
Assurance Program, the MMHSRP Information Management Program, and the
facilitation of several regional health assessment programs on wild
marine mammals.
Individuals, groups and organizations throughout the country have
been responding to stranded marine mammals for decades. After the
passage of Title IV of the MMPA in 1992, NMFS began the process of
codifying the roles, responsibilities, and activities of participant
organizations in the National Marine Mammal Stranding Network through a
Stranding Agreement (SA), issued under MMPA section 112(c) (16 U.S.C.
1382) and through the 109(h) authority for Federal, state, and local
government employees (16 U.S.C. 1379). By issuing SAs under section
112(c), NMFS allows stranding network response organizations, acting as
agents of the government, an exemption to the prohibition on takes of
marine mammals established under the MMPA. A standardized national
template for SAs was developed, including sections that may be
customized by each region in order to maintain flexibility. NMFS also
developed a list of minimum criteria for organizations wishing to
obtain a SA and participate in the stranding network. NMFS proposes to
modify both the template and the list of minimum criteria to become a
member of the stranding network. Additionally, NMFS has national
protocols to help standardize the stranding network across the country
while maintaining regional flexibility where appropriate. These
protocols, as well as the SAs and minimum criteria, were analyzed in
the initial PEIS and were issued in 2009 as one consolidated manual,
titled ``Policies and Best Practices for Marine Mammal Stranding
Response, Rehabilitation and Release'' (Policies and Practices). The
MMHSRP will update these documents to reflect the information gained
from and the developments in marine mammal emergency response that have
occurred over the past decade, and would like to identify the scope of
issues that should be addressed.
Stranded marine mammals undergoing rehabilitation and the
facilities conducting rehabilitation activities are not subject to
inspection or review by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) under the United States Department of Agriculture, if they are
not also a public display facility (separate from their rehabilitation
activities) or a research facility. These facilities are therefore not
subject to APHIS minimum requirements for facilities, husbandry, or
veterinary standards. Previously, NMFS developed minimum standards for
marine mammal rehabilitation facilities that are required of all
facilities operating under a SA with NMFS. Additionally, section 402(a)
(16 U.S.C. 1421a) of the MMPA charges NMFS with providing guidance for
determining at what point a rehabilitated marine mammal is releasable
to the wild. Standards for release of rehabilitated marine mammals were
developed by NMFS and are part of the Policies and Practices document.
NMFS proposes to review the rehabilitation guidelines, as well as the
criteria for release of rehabilitated

[[Page 13957]]

marine mammals into the wild and update these documents, as necessary.
In addition, the MMHSRP maintains a permit from the NMFS Office of
Protected Resources Permits and Conservation, issued under the MMPA (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit
authorizes the MMHSRP to carry out stranding and entanglement response,
rescue, rehabilitation, and release of threatened and endangered marine
mammals and conduct health-related scientific research studies on
marine mammals and marine mammal parts. The current permit issued to
the MMHSRP will expire on June 30, 2020. For additional information
about the MMHSRP, the national stranding network, and other related
information, please visit our website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program.
NEPA, CEQ Regulations (40 CFR 1500.4(i), 1502.4 and 1502.20) and
NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6A require all proposals for major
actions to be reviewed with respect to environmental consequences on
the human environment and encourage the use of programmatic NEPA
documents and tiering to streamline decision making in a process that
progresses from programmatic analyses to site-specific reviews. NMFS
determined a programmatic approach is appropriate because multiple
activities are conducted in support of the MMHSRP and activities occur
nationally, over large geographical areas. Therefore, the analysis in
the PEIS will support NMFS planning-level decisions associated with
oversight and implementation of the MMHRSP and establish the framework
and parameters for subsequent analyses based on the programmatic
review. In addition, NMFS will rely on this PEIS for permitted
activities as well as the basis for tiering in site-specific NEPA
review.

Purpose and Scope of the Action

NMFS is proposing to continue coordinating and implementing the
MMHSRP. Using a programmatic approach, NMFS will identify and prepare a
qualitative analysis of environmental impacts covering a range of
activities conducted in support of the MMHSRP program, including the
issuance of revised Policies and Best Practices, revised protocols and
procedures, and a new MMPA/ESA permit for this program. Resource areas
to be addressed in this analysis include, but are not limited to,
biological resources (notably marine mammals, threatened and endangered
species, fish and other wildlife species and their habitat), sediments
and water quality, historic and cultural resources, socioeconomics and
tourism, and public health and safety. This PEIS will supersede the
initial PEIS published in 2009 and will assess the potential
environmental effects of marine mammal health and stranding response
under a range of alternatives characterized by different methods,
mitigation measures, and level of response. For all potentially
significant impacts, the proposed PEIS will identify avoidance,
minimization and mitigation measures to reduce these impacts, where
feasible, to a level below significance.
The scoping process will be used to identify public concerns along
with national and local issues to be addressed in the PEIS. Federal
agencies, state agencies, local agencies, Native American Indian Tribes
and Nations, the public, and interested persons are encouraged to
identify specific issues or topics of environmental concern that NMFS
should consider. Public participation is invited by providing written
comments to NMFS and/or attending the scoping meetings and webinars.

Special Accommodations

The in-person meeting is physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to Stephen Manley (see ADDRESSES) at
least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Dated: March 28, 2018.
Elaine T. Saiz,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06611 Filed 3-30-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 63 / Monday, April 2, 2018 / Notices 13955

Æ Sulfide inclusion less than or equal to 7228.50.5015, 7228.50.5040, 7228.50.5070, subheadings are provided for convenience
0.04% (area percentage); 7228.60.8000, and 7229.90.1000. The HTSUS and customs purposes, the written
Æ Oxide inclusion less than or equal to subheadings above are provided for description of the scope is dispositive.
0.05% (area percentage); and convenience and U.S. Customs and Border
• The mill test certificate must Protection purposes only. The written Appendix IV—Scope of the AD and
demonstrate that the steel is proprietary description of the scope of the order is CVD Orders on Light-Walled
grade ‘‘PK’’ and specify the following: dispositive. Rectangular Pipe and Tube From China
Æ The exact tensile strength, which must (A–570–914 and C–570–915)
be greater than or equal to 1600 N/mm2; Appendix III—Scope of the AD Order
• The exact hardness, which must be on HFCs From China (A–570–028) The merchandise subject to these orders is
greater than or equal to 465 Vickers hardness certain welded carbon quality light-walled
The products subject to this order are HFC steel pipe and tube, of rectangular (including
number; blends. HFC blends covered by the scope are
• The exact elongation, which must be square) cross section, having a wall thickness
R–404A, a zeotropic mixture consisting of 52 of less than 4 mm. The term carbon-quality
between 2.5% and 9.5%; and percent 1,1,1 Trifluoroethane, 44 percent
• Certified as having residual compressive steel includes both carbon steel and alloy
Pentafluoroethane, and 4 percent 1,1,1,2- steel which contains only small amounts of
stress within a range of 100 to 400 N/mm2. Tetrafluoroethane; R–407A, a zeotropic
Also excluded from the scope of this order alloying elements. Specifically, the term
mixture of 20 percent Difluoromethane, 40 carbon-quality includes products in which
is certain cold-rolled flat-rolled steel meeting percent Pentafluoroethane, and 40 percent
the requirements of ASTM A424 Type 1 and none of the elements listed below exceeds
1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane; R–407C, a the quantity by weight respectively
having each of the following characteristics: zeotropic mixture of 23 percent
• Continuous annealed cold-reduced steel Difluoromethane, 25 percent
indicated: 1.80 percent of manganese, or 2.25
in coils with a thickness of between 0.30 mm percent of silicon, or 1.00 percent of copper,
Pentafluoroethane, and 52 percent 1,1,1,2-
and 0.36 mm that is in widths either from or 0.50 percent of aluminum, or 1.25 percent
Tetrafluoroethane; R–410A, a zeotropic
875 mm to 940 mm or from 1,168 to 1,232 of chromium, or 0.30 percent of cobalt, or
mixture of 50 percent Difluoromethane and
mm; 0.40 percent of lead, or 1.25 percent of
50 percent Pentafluoroethane; and R–507A,
• a chemical composition, by weight, of: an azeotropic mixture of 50 percent
nickel, or 0.30 percent of tungsten, or 0.10
Æ Not more than 0.004% carbon; percent of molybdenum, or 0.10 percent of
Pentafluoroethane and 50 percent 1,1,1-
Æ not more than 0.010% aluminum; niobium, or 0.15 percent vanadium, or 0.15
Trifluoroethane also known as R–507. The
Æ 0.006%–0.010% nitrogen; percent of zirconium. The description of
foregoing percentages are nominal
Æ 0.012%–0.030% boron; carbon-quality is intended to identify carbon-
percentages by weight. Actual percentages of
Æ 0.010%–0.025% oxygen; quality products within the scope. The
single component refrigerants by weight may
Æ less than 0.002% of titanium; vary by plus or minus two percent points welded carbon-quality rectangular pipe and
Æ less than 0.002% by weight of from the nominal percentage identified tube subject to these orders is currently
vanadium; above.11 classified under the Harmonized Tariff
Æ less than 0.002% by weight of niobium; Any blend that includes an HFC Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
Æ less than 0.002% by weight of antimony; component other than R–32, R–125, R–143a, subheadings 7306.61.50.00 and
• a yield strength of from 179.3 MPa to or R–134a is excluded from the scope of this 7306.61.70.60. While HTSUS subheadings
344.7 MPa; order. are provided for convenience and Customs
• a tensile strength of from 303.7 MPa to Excluded from this order are blends of purposes, our written description of the
413.7 MPa; refrigerant chemicals that include products scope of these orders is dispositive.
• a percent of elongation of from 28% to other than HFCs, such as blends including [FR Doc. 2018–06607 Filed 3–30–18; 8:45 am]
46% on a standard ASTM sample with a 5.08 chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
mm gauge length; hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),
• a product shape of flat after annealing, hydrocarbons (HCs), or hydrofluoroolefins
with flat defined as less than or equal to 1 (HFOs). DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
I unit with no coil set as set forth in ASTM Also excluded from this order are patented
A568, Appendix X5 (alternate methods for HFC blends, including, but not limited to, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
expressing flatness). ISCEON® blends, including MO99TM (R– Administration
The products subject to this order are 438A), MO79 (R–422A), MO59 (R–417A),
currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff MO49PlusTM (R–437A) and MO29TM (R–4 RIN 0648–XG041
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under 22D), Genetron® PerformaxTM LT (R–407F),
item numbers: 7209.15.0000, 7209.16.0030, Choice® R– 421A, and Choice® R–421B. Programmatic Environmental Impact
7209.16.0060, 7209.16.0070, 7209.16.0091, HFC blends covered by the scope of this Statement (PEIS) for the Marine
7209.17.0030, 7209.17.0060, 7209.17.0070, order are currently classified in the Mammal Health and Stranding
7209.17.0091, 7209.18.1530, 7209.18.1560, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
Response Program
7209.18.2510, 7209.18.2520, 7209.18.2580, States (HTSUS) at subheadings 3824.78.0020
7209.18.6020, 7209.18.6090, 7209.25.0000, and 3824.78.0050. Although the HTSUS AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
7209.26.0000, 7209.27.0000, 7209.28.0000, Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
7209.90.0000, 7210.70.3000, 7211.23.1500, 11 R–404A is sold under various trade names,
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
7211.23.2000, 7211.23.3000, 7211.23.4500, including Forane® 404A, Genetron® 404A,
7211.23.6030, 7211.23.6060, 7211.23.6090, Solkane® 404A, Klea® 404A, and Suva®404A. R– Commerce.
7211.29.2030, 7211.29.2090, 7211.29.4500, 407A is sold under various trade names, including ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
7211.29.6030, 7211.29.6080, 7211.90.0000, Forane® 407A, Solkane® 407A, Klea®407A, and PEIS; request for comments.
Suva®407A. R–407C is sold under various trade
7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7225.50.6000, names, including Forane® 407C, Genetron® 407C,
7225.50.8080, 7225.99.0090, 7226.92.5000, Solkane® 407C, Klea® 407C and Suva® 407C. R–
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
7226.92.7050, and 7226.92.8050. The 410A is sold under various trade names, including Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
products subject to the order may also enter EcoFluor R410, Forane® 410A, Genetron® R410A the Council on Environmental Quality
under the following HTSUS numbers: and AZ–20, Solkane® 410A, Klea® 410A, Suva® Regulations (CEQ), the National Marine
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

7210.90.9000, 7212.50.0000, 7215.10.0010, 410A, and Puron®. R–507A is sold under various
trade names, including Forane® 507, Solkane® 507,
Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces its
7215.10.0080, 7215.50.0016, 7215.50.0018,
Klea®507, Genetron®AZ–50, and Suva®507. R–32 is intention to prepare a Programmatic
7215.50.0020, 7215.50.0061, 7215.50.0063,
7215.50.0065, 7215.50.0090, 7215.90.5000,
sold under various trade names, including Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)
Solkane®32, Forane®32, and Klea®32. R–125 is sold to evaluate potential environmental
7217.10.1000, 7217.10.2000, 7217.10.3000, under various trade names, including Solkane®125,
7217.10.7000, 7217.90.1000, 7217.90.5030, Klea®125, Genetron®125, and Forane®125. R–143a
effects associated with continued
7217.90.5060, 7217.90.5090, 7225.19.0000, is sold under various trade names, including implementation of the Marine Mammal
7226.19.1000, 7226.19.9000, 7226.99.0180, Solkane®143a, Genetron®143a, and Forane®125. Health and Stranding Response Program

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 63 / Monday, April 2, 2018 / Notices 13957

marine mammals into the wild and and other wildlife species and their take this opportunity to comment on
update these documents, as necessary. habitat), sediments and water quality, proposed and/or continuing information
In addition, the MMHSRP maintains a historic and cultural resources, collections, as required by the
permit from the NMFS Office of socioeconomics and tourism, and public Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Protected Resources Permits and health and safety. This PEIS will DATES: Written comments must be
Conservation, issued under the MMPA supersede the initial PEIS published in submitted on or before June 1, 2018.
(16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the ESA (16 2009 and will assess the potential ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit environmental effects of marine to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
authorizes the MMHSRP to carry out mammal health and stranding response Paperwork Clearance Officer,
stranding and entanglement response, under a range of alternatives Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
rescue, rehabilitation, and release of characterized by different methods, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW,
threatened and endangered marine mitigation measures, and level of Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
mammals and conduct health-related response. For all potentially significant internet at pracomments@doc.gov).
scientific research studies on marine impacts, the proposed PEIS will identify FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
mammals and marine mammal parts. avoidance, minimization and mitigation
The current permit issued to the Requests for additional information or
measures to reduce these impacts, copies of the information collection
MMHSRP will expire on June 30, 2020. where feasible, to a level below
For additional information about the instrument and instructions should be
significance. directed to Dr. Danielle Schwarzmann
MMHSRP, the national stranding The scoping process will be used to
network, and other related information, 240–533–0706 or
identify public concerns along with danielle.schwarzmann@noaa.gov
please visit our website at https:// national and local issues to be
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
addressed in the PEIS. Federal agencies,
marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal- state agencies, local agencies, Native I. Abstract
health-and-stranding-response-program. American Indian Tribes and Nations,
NEPA, CEQ Regulations (40 CFR This request is for a new collection of
the public, and interested persons are information. NOAA’s Office of National
1500.4(i), 1502.4 and 1502.20) and encouraged to identify specific issues or
NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) is
topics of environmental concern that conducting research to measure the
216–6A require all proposals for major NMFS should consider. Public
actions to be reviewed with respect to public’s opinions about sanctuary
participation is invited by providing visitor centers, exhibits, and kiosks.
environmental consequences on the written comments to NMFS and/or
human environment and encourage the Exhibits and kiosks covered under the
attending the scoping meetings and survey can be permanent or traveling/
use of programmatic NEPA documents webinars.
and tiering to streamline decision temporary. The survey will be
making in a process that progresses from Special Accommodations administered annually both within an
programmatic analyses to site-specific The in-person meeting is physically ONMS visitor center as well as at
reviews. NMFS determined a accessible to people with disabilities. partner venues that host an exhibit or
programmatic approach is appropriate Requests for sign language kiosk on a national marine sanctuary or
because multiple activities are interpretation or other auxiliary aids marine national monument. The survey
conducted in support of the MMHSRP should be directed to Stephen Manley will cover visitor centers, exhibits, and
and activities occur nationally, over (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days prior to kiosks system-wide across all the
large geographical areas. Therefore, the national marine sanctuaries and marine
the meeting date.
analysis in the PEIS will support NMFS national monuments managed or co-
planning-level decisions associated with Dated: March 28, 2018. managed by NOAA’s ONMS.
oversight and implementation of the Elaine T. Saiz, The visitor survey will be conducted
MMHRSP and establish the framework Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected to obtain an objective analysis of visitor
and parameters for subsequent analyses Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. experiences within a sanctuary visitor
based on the programmatic review. In [FR Doc. 2018–06611 Filed 3–30–18; 8:45 am] center or at a partner venue that
addition, NMFS will rely on this PEIS BILLING CODE 3510–22–P includes an exhibit or kiosk with
for permitted activities as well as the information on a national marine
basis for tiering in site-specific NEPA sanctuary or marine national
review. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE monument. Information will be
obtained on visitor satisfaction with the
Purpose and Scope of the Action National Oceanic and Atmospheric overall exhibits or kiosks, graphics,
NMFS is proposing to continue Administration multi-media products, interactives,
coordinating and implementing the along with the overall feelings about the
MMHSRP. Using a programmatic Proposed Information Collection; facilities and services offered at the
approach, NMFS will identify and Comment Request; Office of National centers/venues. The survey will acquire
prepare a qualitative analysis of Marine Sanctuaries Visitor Centers data on the effectiveness of sanctuary/
environmental impacts covering a range Survey monument messaging, awareness about
of activities conducted in support of the AGENCY: National Oceanic and and use of sanctuary/monument
MMHSRP program, including the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), resources, as well as additional
issuance of revised Policies and Best Commerce. recreational and/or educational
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

Practices, revised protocols and ACTION: Notice. opportunities available to the public.
procedures, and a new MMPA/ESA Lastly, the survey will include questions
permit for this program. Resource areas SUMMARY: The Department of about visitor demographics.
to be addressed in this analysis include, Commerce, as part of its continuing The information will aid NOAA’s
but are not limited to, biological effort to reduce paperwork and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
resources (notably marine mammals, respondent burden, invites the general budget allocation and prioritization,
threatened and endangered species, fish public and other Federal agencies to strategic planning, and management

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Document Created: 2018-11-01 09:08:33
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 09:08:33

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 intent to prepare a PEIS; request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be received by June 1, 2018. Scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:
Contact		Stephen Manley, NMFS, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8402, [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 13955
RIN Number		0648-XG04

83 FR 13955 - Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 63 (April 2, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration