58782 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 184 / Thursday, September 22, 2011 / Notices

along the coast line of Alaska. Their human activities associated with Authority traditional subsistence hunts for these subsistence results in only The preparation of the EIS for the whales have been regulated by catch minor impacts on the western Arctic subsistence harvest of Western Arctic limits and other limitations under the bowhead whale stock. In light of the bowhead whales by Alaska Natives will authority of the International Whaling stability of the IWC subsistence harvest be conducted under the authority and in Commission (IWC) since 1977. Alaska allocations and the subsistence accordance with the requirements of Native subsistence hunters, from 11 bowhead harvests by Alaska Natives NEPA, Council on Environmental northern Alaskan communities, take over the last ten years, NMFS Quality Regulations (40 CFR 1500– less than one percent of the stock of anticipates that the new EIS can 1508), other applicable Federal laws and bowhead whales per year. Since 1977, estimate environmental consequences regulations, and policies and procedures the number of strikes has ranged for a 10- to 25-year period, subject to an of NMFS for compliance with those between 14 and 72 animals per year, Environmental Assessment in 2017 (and regulations. depending in part on changes in IWC every five years thereafter) to determine management strategy due to higher whether any new circumstances would Dated: September 16, 2011. estimates of bowhead whale abundance result in significant environmental James H. Lecky, in recent years, as well as hunter impacts warranting a new EIS. Director, Office of Protected Resources, efficiency. The IWC sets an overall Major issues to be addressed in this National Marine Service. aboriginal subsistence catch limit for EIS include: the impact of subsistence [FR Doc. 2011–24392 Filed 9–21–11; 8:45 am] this relevant stock, based on the request removals on the Western Arctic stock of BILLING CODE 3510–22–P of Contracting Governments on behalf of bowhead whales; the impacts of these the aboriginal hunters. In the case of harvest levels on the traditional and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Alaska Eskimo and Russian Native cultural values of Alaska Natives, and subsistence hunts, the United States and the cumulative effects of the action the Russian Federation make a joint National Oceanic and Atmospheric when considered along with climate Administration request for subsistence catch limits for change and past, present, and future bowhead whales to the IWC. actions potentially affecting bowhead RIN 0648–XA721 NMFS must annually publish a notice whales. of aboriginal subsistence whale hunting Mid-Atlantic Management quotas and any other limitations on Public Involvement Council (MAFMC); Public Meetings such hunting in the Federal Register (50 CFR 230.6). The subsistence hunt is We begin this NEPA process by AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries directly managed by the Alaska Eskimo soliciting input from the public and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Whaling Commission (AEWC), and the interested parties on the type of impacts Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), quotas are issued through annual to be considered in the EIS, the range of Commerce. amendments to a cooperative agreement alternatives to be assessed, and any ACTION: Notice of public meetings. between the AEWC and NOAA. In order other pertinent information. SUMMARY: to comprehensively assess the effects of Specifically, this scoping process is The Mid-Atlantic Fishery these annual quotas, NMFS is proposing intended to accomplish the following Management Council (Council), its to set the term of this analysis to extend objectives: Research Set-Aside (RSA) Committee, over a 5-year period, beginning in 2013. 1. Invite affected federal, state, and its Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish (SMB) local agencies, Alaska Natives, and Committee, its Executive Committee, Alternatives other interested persons to participate in and its Spiny Dogfish Committee will NMFS preliminarily anticipates three the EIS process. hold public meetings. alternatives: 2. Determine the potential significant DATES: The meetings will be held Alternative 1 (no action): Do not grant environmental issues to be analyzed in Tuesday, October 11 through Thursday, the AEWC any annual quotas. the EIS. October 13, 2011. See SUPPLEMENTARY Alternative 2: Grant the AEWC annual INFORMATION for specific dates and quotas amounting to 255 landed whales 3. Identify and eliminate issues times. over 5 years (2013 through 2017), with determined to be insignificant or ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at an annual strike quota of 67 bowhead addressed in other documents. the Dolce Seaview, 401 South New York whales per year, where no unused 4. Allocate assignments among the Road, Galloway, NJ 08205; telephone: strikes are added to the quota for any lead agency and cooperating agencies (609) 652–1800. one year. regarding preparation of the EIS, Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Alternative 3: Grant the AEWC annual including impact analysis and Management Council, 800 N. State St., quotas amounting to 255 landed whales identification of mitigation measures. over 5 years (2013 through 2017), with Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901–3910; 5. Identify related environmental telephone: 302–674–2331. an annual strike quota of 67 bowhead documents being prepared. whales per year, where no more than 15 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. 6. Identify other environmental unused strikes are added to the strike Christopher Moore, Executive Director, review and consultation requirements. quota for any one year. This is the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management agency’s preferred alternative and The official scoping period is from the Council; telephone: (302) 674–2331 ext. reflects past IWC action and current date of publication in the Federal 255. management practices. Register of this document until October SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On NOAA prepared an EIS in 2008 that 31, 2011. Please visit NMFS Alaska Tuesday, October 11, the RSA analyzed issuing annual quotas to the Region web page at http:// Committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission for www.fakr.noaa.gov for more until 10:30 a.m. The SMB Committee a subsistence hunt on Bowhead whales information on this EIS. NMFS will meet from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. during 2008 through 2012. That analysis estimates the draft EIS will be available There will be a Public Listening Session concluded that the overall effects of in April 2012. from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. On Wednesday,

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October 12, the Executive Committee changes to the RSA Program. The The AP will also receive presentations will meet from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Council will hold its regular Business from representatives of the SSC on how The Council will convene at 9:30 a.m. Session to approve the August 2011 acceptable biological catch is set, and on Swearing in of the new Council member minutes and address any outstanding how stock assessments are done. The will be from 9:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. actions from the August 2011 meeting, AP will then review presentations on From 9:45 a.m. until 11 a.m., SMB Organizational Reports, Liaison Reports, update assessments for vermilion Amendment 14 DEIS Alternatives will the Executive Director’s Report, the snapper and gray triggerfish, and will be discussed. From 11 a.m. until Science Report, Committee Reports, and make recommendations on management 12 p.m., the Council will receive a any continuing and/or new business. of those stocks. The AP will also review Standardized Reporting draft Reef Fish Amendment 35, which Special Accommodations Methodology (SBRM) Report. contains actions to modify the Amendment 17 to the Summer This meeting is physically accessible rebuilding plan and management Flounder, Scup, and Black Bass to people with disabilities. Requests for measures for greater amberjack. The AP Fishery Management Plan (FMP) will be sign language interpretation or other will also discuss red snapper issues discussed from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. From auxiliary aid should be directed to M. relating to the five year review of the red 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Spiny Dogfish Jan Saunders, (302) 526–5251 at least snapper individual quota Specifications will be approved as a 5 days prior to the meeting date. program, and to the data collection Committee of the Whole. From 4:30 Dated: September 19, 2011. programs for the recreational red snapper fishery. p.m. until 5:30 p.m., there will be a Tracey L. Thompson, Scoping Presentation on Consolidation Copies of the agenda and other related Acting Director, Office of Sustainable materials can be obtained by calling of the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. FMP. On Thursday, October 13, the (813) 348–1630 or can be downloaded [FR Doc. 2011–24355 Filed 9–21–11; 8:45 am] Council will convene at 8:30 a.m. The from the Council’s ftp site, ftp. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P RSA Program Review Report will be gulfcouncil.org. heard from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agenda may come before the From 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., the Council DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE will conduct its regular Business Advisory Panel for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Session, receive Organizational Reports, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Fishery Conservation and Management Council Liaison Reports, Executive Administration Director’s Report, Science Report, Act, those issues may not be the subject Committee Reports, and any continuing RIN 0648–XA720 of formal action during this meeting. and/or new business. Actions of the Advisory Panel will be Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management restricted to those issues specifically Agenda items by day for the Council’s Council; Public Meeting identified in the agenda and any issues Committees and the Council itself are: arising after publication of this notice AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries On Tuesday, October 11, the RSA that require emergency action under Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Committee will review the staff Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), evaluation of the RSA Program and Fishery Conservation and Management Commerce. recommend changes to the RSA Act, provided the public has been Program to address scientific and ACTION: Council to convene public notified of the Council’s intent to take administrative issues. The SMB meeting. action to address the emergency. Committee will review Amendment 14 analyses and develop recommendations SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Special Accommodations for preferred alternatives. On Management Council will convene a These meetings are physically Wednesday, October 12, the Executive meeting of the Reef Fish Advisory accessible to people with disabilities. Committee will meet in a closed session Panel. Requests for sign language to discuss the Ricks E Savage Award DATES: The meeting will convene at 1 interpretation or other auxiliary aids followed by the Council convening to p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2011 and should be directed to Kathy Pereira at swear in the new Council member. The conclude by 12 p.m. on Friday, October the Council (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 Council will approve the SMB 14, 2011. working days prior to the meeting. Amendment 14 document for public ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Dated: September 16, 2011. hearings. Dr. Paul Rago of NMFS will the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Tracey L. Thompson, provide the Council with a report of the Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 3-year SBRM review. The Council will Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 1100, Tampa, FL 33607. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. review draft alternatives of Amendment Council address: Gulf of Mexico 17 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and [FR Doc. 2011–24303 Filed 9–21–11; 8:45 am] Fishery Management Council, 2203 N. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Black Sea Bass FMP to address spatial/ Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL regional management of the recreational 33607. black sea bass fishery. The Spiny DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Dogfish Committee will meet as a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Committee of the Whole to review the Steven Atran, Population Dynamics National Oceanic and Atmospheric SSC and the Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Statistician; Gulf of Mexico Fishery Administration Committee recommendations for 2012 Management Council; telephone: (813) and adopt the recommendations for 348–1630. RIN 0648–XA719 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 2012 management measures. There will The Reef Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management be a NMFS Scoping Presentation on the Fish Advisory Panel (AP) will review Council; Public Meeting Consolidated HMS FMP. On Thursday, actions by the Scientific and Statistical October 13, the Council will convene to Committee (SSC) which meets AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries discuss and adopt recommended immediately prior to the AP meeting. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

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