83 FR 6982 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 33 (February 16, 2018)

Page Range		6982-6983
FR Document		2018-03266

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 33 (Friday, February 16, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6982-6983]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03266]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF891


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A 
season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch 
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 14, 
2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing 
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H 
of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Regulations governing sideboard 
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR 
part 680.
    The A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,075 metric tons (mt), as established by 
the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the 
GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and inseason adjustment (82 FR 
60327, December 20, 2017).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season 
allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using pot 
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 1,065 mt and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt 
as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator 
finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. After 
the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at 
Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA

[[Page 6983]]

(AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice 
and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth 
at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary 
to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary 
to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the 
most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the 
directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a 
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, 
relevant data only became available as of February 12, 2018.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is 
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: February 13, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03266 Filed 2-13-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

6982 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

The closing date for comments on the the deleted site may be restored to the is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
notification of deletion was January 2, NPL without application of the hazard season allowance of the 2018 Pacific
2018. Six (6) public comments were ranking system. Deletion of a site from cod total allowable catch apportioned to
received and three of the comments the NPL does not affect responsible vessels using pot gear in the Central
questioned whether EPA completed party liability in the unlikely event that Regulatory Area of the GOA.
what is required under CERCLA and future conditions warrant further DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
whether deletion of the Site was actions. local time (A.l.t.), February 14, 2018,
appropriate; the remaining three through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
comments did not articulate a position List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300
2018.
on the proposed deletion. As a result of Environmental protection, Air
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the comments, EPA published a pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
notification of withdrawal of the direct waste, Hazardous substances,
final rule in the Federal Register (83 FR Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
4431) on January 31, 2018, withdrawing Reporting and recordkeeping manages the groundfish fishery in the
the direct final deletion for the Site and requirements, Superfund, Water GOA exclusive economic zone
announcing it would evaluate and pollution control, Water supply. according to the Fishery Management
respond to the significant comments Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Dated: January 29, 2018. Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
and, if appropriate, proceed with the
Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, Pacific Fishery Management Council
traditional two-step deletion process.
After consideration of the comments Regional Administrator Region 1. under authority of the Magnuson-
received, EPA concluded that the For reasons set out in the preamble, Stevens Fishery Conservation and
deletion of the Site is still appropriate. 40 CFR part 300 is amended as follows: Management Act. Regulations governing
Based on EPA’s evaluation of the data, fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
the remedy protects human health and PART 300—NATIONAL OIL AND with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
the environment because remediation of HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
the soil (soil removal and on-site POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN Regulations governing sideboard
consolidation) has been completed to protections for GOA groundfish
cleanup levels that are considered ■ 1. The authority citation for part 300 fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
protective for the anticipated future use continues to read as follows: part 680.
of the property, there is no current use Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. The A season allowance of the 2018
of on-site groundwater which is 9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
classified as non-potable, and 2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, apportioned to vessels using pot gear in
institutional controls are in place. 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
Operation and maintenance activities FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193. is 1,075 metric tons (mt), as established
are on-going and will ensure that the Appendix B to Part 300—[Amended] by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
consolidation area and associated specifications for groundfish of the GOA
components of the remedy (e.g., ■ 2. Table 1 of appendix B to part 300 (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and
groundwater monitoring wells) remain is amended by removing ‘‘MA’’, inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327,
in good condition. In addition, ‘‘Hatheway and Patterson Company’’, December 20, 2017).
monitoring of groundwater will ‘‘Mansfield’’. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
continue to assess the protectiveness of [FR Doc. 2018–03275 Filed 2–15–18; 8:45 am] the Administrator, Alaska Region,
the remedy. Monitoring data collected BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
as part of the operation and determined that the A season allowance
maintenance plan for the Site will of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC
continue to be collected for the apportioned to vessels using pot gear in
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
foreseeable future and the data will be the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
continuously evaluated. The data will National Oceanic and Atmospheric will soon be reached. Therefore, the
be reported as part of the next Five- Administration Regional Administrator is establishing a
Year Review scheduled for 2019. During directed fishing allowance of 1,065 mt
the Five-Year Review, EPA will evaluate 50 CFR Part 679 and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt
whether the remedy remains protective. as bycatch to support other anticipated
If additional actions are warranted, EPA [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
will implement those actions. A § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
RIN 0648–XF891
responsiveness summary was prepared Administrator finds that this directed
which addresses all comments received Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic fishing allowance has been reached.
on the deletion and provides further Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
rationale that the deletion is Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central directed fishing for Pacific cod by
appropriate. The responsiveness Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska vessels using pot gear in the Central
summary may be viewed in both the Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the
docket, EPA–HQ–SFUND–2002–0001, AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries effective date of this closure the
on www.regulations.gov, and in the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and maximum retainable amounts at
local repositories listed above. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES

EPA maintains the NPL as the list of Commerce. during a trip.
sites that appear to present a significant ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
risk to public health, welfare, or the Classification
environment. Deletion from the NPL SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed This action responds to the best
does not preclude further remedial fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using available information recently obtained
action. Whenever there is a significant pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area from the fishery. The Assistant
release from a site deleted from the NPL, of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Feb 15, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16FER1.SGM 16FER1

$Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 6983 (AA), finds good cause to waive the the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. This action is required by § 679.20 requirement to provide prior notice and NMFS was unable to publish a notice and is exempt from review under opportunity for public comment providing time for public comment Executive Order 12866. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 because the most recent, relevant data Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is only became available as of February 12, impracticable and contrary to the public 2018. Dated: February 13, 2018. interest. This requirement is The AA also finds good cause to Emily H. Menashes, impracticable and contrary to the public waive the 30-day delay in the effective Acting Director, Office of Sustainable interest as it would prevent NMFS from date of this action under 5 U.S.C. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. responding to the most recent fisheries 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon [FR Doc. 2018–03266 Filed 2–13–18; 4:15 pm] data in a timely fashion and would the reasons provided above for waiver of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P delay the directed fishing closure of prior notice and opportunity for public Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in comment. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Feb 15, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\16FER1.SGM 16FER1$

Document Created: 2018-02-16 00:55:22
Document Modified: 2018-02-16 00:55:22

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		Rules and Regulations
Action		Temporary rule; closure.
Dates		Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 14, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018.
Contact		Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
FR Citation		83 FR 6982
RIN Number		0648-XF89

83 FR 6982 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 33 (February 16, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration