83 FR 27756 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Issuing Annual Catch Limits to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 115 (June 14, 2018)

Page Range		27756-27757
FR Document		2018-12734

NMFS announces the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), in order to assess the impacts of issuing annual catch limits for the subsistence harvest of bowhead whales by Alaska Natives from 2019 onward. The official 60-day comment period for comments on the draft EIS began on June 1, 2018 and will end on July 31, 2018.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 115 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 115 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27756-27757]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12734]

[[Page 27756]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF600

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Issuing Annual Catch
Limits to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft Environmental Impact
Statement; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of a draft environmental
impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA), in order to assess the impacts of issuing annual
catch limits for the subsistence harvest of bowhead whales by Alaska
Natives from 2019 onward. The official 60-day comment period for
comments on the draft EIS began on June 1, 2018 and will end on July
31, 2018.

DATES: Comments on this draft EIS must be received no later than July
31, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments on this draft environmental impact
statement, by including NOAA-NMFS-2017-0098 by either of the following
methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0098. Click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Carolyn Doherty, Office of International Affairs and
Seafood Inspection, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910. 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 at 11:59 p.m. eastern time on
the date of comment period closure.
Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted to www.regulations.gov without change. For
posted comments, 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 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,
WordPerfect, or Adobe portable document file (PDF) formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Doherty, Office of
International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, NOAA Fisheries (phone:
301-427-8385 or email: Carolyn.Doherty@noaa.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is preparing an EIS in order to
comprehensively assess impacts of the subsistence harvest of Western
Arctic bowhead whales by Alaska Natives from 2019 onward. The draft EIS
is posted on the NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Regional Office's web page at
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/whales-bowhead.

Background

Alaska Natives have hunted bowhead whales for over 2,000 years as
the whales migrate in the spring and fall along the coast of Alaska.
Their traditional subsistence hunts for these whales have been
regulated by catch limits and other limitations under the authority of
the International Whaling Commission (IWC) since 1977. Alaska Native
subsistence hunters from 11 northern Alaskan communities take less than
1 percent of the stock of bowhead whales per year. Since 1977, the
number of whales struck by harpoons has ranged between 14 and 72
animals per year, depending in part on changes in IWC management
strategy due to higher estimates of both bowhead whale abundance and
increased hunter efficiency in recent years. The IWC sets an overall
aboriginal subsistence catch limit for this stock, based on the request
of IWC member countries on behalf of the aboriginal hunters. The IWC's
catch limit for bowhead whales includes a limit on the number of landed
whales and a limit on the number of whales that may be struck. In the
case of Alaska and Russian Native subsistence hunts, the United States
and the Russian Federation make a joint request to the IWC for
subsistence catch limits for bowhead whales.
NMFS must annually publish a notice of aboriginal subsistence whale
hunting catch limits and any other limitations on such hunting in the
Federal Register (50 CFR 230.6). The subsistence hunt is directly
managed by the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC) and the catch
limits are issued through annual amendments to a cooperative agreement
between the AEWC and NOAA, consistent with the mandates codified in the
Whaling Convention Act, 16 U.S.C. 916-916l.
In order to comprehensively assess the effects of these annual
removals, this proposed action would extend from 2019 onward, subject
to IWC-set catch limits. IWC-set catch limits are, in turn, based on
IWC Scientific Committee advice on the sustainability of proposed catch
limits using a population model, referred to as a Strike Limit
Algorithm. The Strike Limit Algorithm used by the IWC is specific to
this population of bowhead whales and is the IWC's formula for
calculating sustainable aboriginal subsistence whaling removal levels,
based on the size and productivity of a whale population, in order to
satisfy subsistence need. The Strike Limit Algorithm also allows for an
inter-annual variation of strikes up to 50 percent of the annual strike
limit in order to provide flexibility for the hunt while meeting the
Commission's conservation objectives.

Alternatives Considered

NMFS considered five alternatives in the draft EIS:
Alternative 1 (no action): Do not grant the AEWC a catch limit.
Alternative 2: Grant the AEWC an annual strike limit of 67 bowhead
whales, not to exceed a total of 336 landed whales over any 6-year
period, with no unused strikes from previous years added to the
subsequent annual limit as carry-forward.
Alternative 3: Grant the AEWC an annual strike limit of 67 bowhead
whales, not to exceed a total of 336 landed whales over any 6-year
period, with unused strikes from previous years carried forward and
added to the annual strike limit of subsequent years (subject to
limits), provided that no more than 15 additional strikes are added to
any one year's allocation of strikes. This alternative would maintain
the status quo for any 6-year period with respect to management of the
hunt.
Alternative 4 (Preferred Alternative): Grant the AEWC an annual
strike limit of 67 bowhead whales, not to exceed a total of 336 landed
whales over any 6-year period, with unused strikes from previous years
carried forward and added to the annual strike quota of subsequent
years (subject to limits), provided that no more than 50 percent of the
annual strike limit is added for any one year. This alternative would
maintain the status quo for any 6-year period with respect to
management of the hunt for landed whales and employ the Commission's
agreed-upon 50 percent carryover principle. The agency has identified
Alternative 4 as its preferred alternative because it best meets the
purpose and need of this action, and it achieves the socio-cultural
benefits of the subsistence hunt at minimal environmental cost.

[[Page 27757]]

Alternative 5: Grant the AEWC an annual strike limit of 100 bowhead
whales, not to exceed a total of 504 landed whales over any 6-year
period, with unused strikes from previous years carried forward and
added to the annual strike quota of subsequent years (subject to
limits), provided that no more than 50 percent of the annual strike
limit is added for any one year. This alternative would increase the
harvest levels by 50 percent and employ the Commission's agreed-upon 50
percent carryover principle. Under this alternative, NMFS would
authorize a higher level of harvest, given: (1) The timeframe for
NMFS's proposed action, i.e., from 2019 onward, where it is likely that
the AEWC's subsistence need for bowhead whales will increase over this
timeframe; and (2) the increasing size of the Western Arctic bowhead
whale population. As with the other alternatives, NMFS's issuance of
any future catch limits will be subject to IWC requirements, which, in
turn, will be based on IWC Scientific Committee advice on the
sustainability of those catch limits.
NMFS decided to prepare an EIS rather than an EA in order to assess
the impacts of issuing annual quotas for the subsistence hunt by Alaska
Natives from 2019 onward. This decision was not based on any new
determination that significant effects occur as a result of the bowhead
subsistence hunt, but rather to take advantage of the greater
transparency and public involvement in decision-making afforded through
an EIS process.
Major issues addressed in this draft EIS include: The impact of
subsistence removal of bowhead whales from the Western Arctic stock of
bowhead whales; the impacts of these harvest levels on the traditional
and cultural values of Alaska Natives, and the cumulative effects of
the action when considered along with environmental conditions and
past, present, and future actions potentially affecting bowhead whales.

Public Comment

The publication date of the Environmental Protection Agency's
Notice of Availability of the draft EIS, June 1, 2018, 83 FR 25451,
constitutes the start of the comment period under NEPA for the draft
EIS. The public comment period will end on July 31, 2018, per 83 FR
26665. NOAA encourages all parties with an interest in or who are
affected by the Alternatives described in the draft EIS to provide
suggestions and comments. Comments are specifically requested regarding
the range of alternatives assessed, scope of analysis, and assessment
of direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts.
The official public comment period is 60 days, from June 1, 2018
until July 31, 2018. The draft EIS is posted on the NOAA Fisheries'
Alaska Regional Office's web page at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/whales-bowhead.

Authority

The preparation of this draft EIS was conducted under the authority
and in accordance with the requirements of NEPA, Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), other
applicable Federal laws and regulations, and policies and procedures of
NMFS for compliance with those regulations.

Dated: June 8, 2018.
John Henderschedt,
Director, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-12734 Filed 6-13-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 115 / Thursday, June 14, 2018 / Notices 27757

Alternative 5: Grant the AEWC an analysis, and assessment of direct, postal mail or delivery should be
annual strike limit of 100 bowhead indirect, and cumulative impacts. addressed to the Director of the
whales, not to exceed a total of 504 The official public comment period is Information Collection Clearance
landed whales over any 6-year period, 60 days, from June 1, 2018 until July 31, Division, U.S. Department of Education,
with unused strikes from previous years 2018. The draft EIS is posted on the 400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ, Room
carried forward and added to the annual NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska Regional 216–34, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
strike quota of subsequent years (subject Office’s web page at https:// FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
to limits), provided that no more than alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/whales- specific questions related to collection
50 percent of the annual strike limit is bowhead. activities, please contact Ian Foss, 202–
added for any one year. This alternative 377–3681.
Authority
would increase the harvest levels by 50 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
percent and employ the Commission’s The preparation of this draft EIS was
conducted under the authority and in Department of Education (ED), in
agreed-upon 50 percent carryover
accordance with the requirements of accordance with the Paperwork
principle. Under this alternative, NMFS
NEPA, Council on Environmental Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
would authorize a higher level of
Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500– 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
harvest, given: (1) The timeframe for
1508), other applicable Federal laws and public and Federal agencies with an
NMFS’s proposed action, i.e., from 2019
regulations, and policies and procedures opportunity to comment on proposed,
onward, where it is likely that the
of NMFS for compliance with those revised, and continuing collections of
AEWC’s subsistence need for bowhead
regulations. information. This helps the Department
whales will increase over this
assess the impact of its information
timeframe; and (2) the increasing size of Dated: June 8, 2018. collection requirements and minimize
the Western Arctic bowhead whale John Henderschedt,
population. As with the other the public’s reporting burden. It also
Director, Office of International Affairs and helps the public understand the
alternatives, NMFS’s issuance of any Seafood Inspection, National Marine
future catch limits will be subject to Department’s information collection
Fisheries Service. requirements and provide the requested
IWC requirements, which, in turn, will [FR Doc. 2018–12734 Filed 6–13–18; 8:45 am]
be based on IWC Scientific Committee data in the desired format. ED is
advice on the sustainability of those
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P soliciting comments on the proposed
catch limits. information collection request (ICR) that
NMFS decided to prepare an EIS is described below. The Department of
rather than an EA in order to assess the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Education is especially interested in
impacts of issuing annual quotas for the public comment addressing the
[Docket No.: ED–2018–ICCD–0034]
subsistence hunt by Alaska Natives from following issues: (1) Is this collection
2019 onward. This decision was not Agency Information Collection necessary to the proper functions of the
based on any new determination that Activities; Submission to the Office of Department; (2) will this information be
significant effects occur as a result of the Management and Budget for Review processed and used in a timely manner;
bowhead subsistence hunt, but rather to and Approval; Comment Request; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
take advantage of the greater Federal Student Loan Program: (4) how might the Department enhance
transparency and public involvement in Internship/Residency and Loan Debt the quality, utility, and clarity of the
decision-making afforded through an Burden Forbearance Forms information to be collected; and (5) how
EIS process. might the Department minimize the
Major issues addressed in this draft AGENCY: Federal Student Aid (FSA), burden of this collection on the
EIS include: The impact of subsistence Department of Education (ED). respondents, including through the use
removal of bowhead whales from the ACTION: Notice. of information technology. Please note
Western Arctic stock of bowhead that written comments received in
SUMMARY: In accordance with the response to this notice will be
whales; the impacts of these harvest
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is considered public records.
levels on the traditional and cultural
proposing an extension of an existing Title of Collection: Federal Student
values of Alaska Natives, and the
information collection. Loan Program: Internship/Residency
cumulative effects of the action when
considered along with environmental DATES: Interested persons are invited to and Loan Debt Burden Forbearance
conditions and past, present, and future submit comments on or before July 16, Forms.
actions potentially affecting bowhead 2018. OMB Control Number: 1845–0018.
whales. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the Type of Review: An extension of an
documents related to the information existing information collection.
Public Comment collection listed in this notice, please Respondents/Affected Public:
The publication date of the use http://www.regulations.gov by Individuals or Households.
Environmental Protection Agency’s searching the Docket ID number ED– Total Estimated Number of Annual
Notice of Availability of the draft EIS, 2018–ICCD–0034. Comments submitted Responses: 27,042.
June 1, 2018, 83 FR 25451, constitutes in response to this notice should be Total Estimated Number of Annual
the start of the comment period under submitted electronically through the Burden Hours: 6,393.
NEPA for the draft EIS. The public Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// Abstract: These forms serve as the
comment period will end on July 31, www.regulations.gov by selecting the means by which borrowers in the
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

2018, per 83 FR 26665. NOAA Docket ID number or via postal mail, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan
encourages all parties with an interest in commercial delivery, or hand delivery. (Direct Loan), Federal Family Education
or who are affected by the Alternatives Please note that comments submitted by Loan (FFEL) and the Federal Perkins
described in the draft EIS to provide fax or email and those submitted after Loan (Perkins Loan) Programs may
suggestions and comments. Comments the comment period will not be request forbearance of repayment on
are specifically requested regarding the accepted. Written requests for their loans if they meet certain
range of alternatives assessed, scope of information or comments submitted by conditions. The U.S. Department of

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:38 Jun 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM 14JNN1

Document Created: 2018-06-14 01:38:38
Document Modified: 2018-06-14 01:38:38

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 availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement; request for comments.
Dates		Comments on this draft EIS must be received no later than July 31, 2018.
Contact		Carolyn Doherty, Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, NOAA Fisheries (phone: 301-427-8385 or email: [email protected]).
FR Citation		83 FR 27756
RIN Number		0648-XF60

83 FR 27756 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Issuing Annual Catch Limits to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 115 (June 14, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration