[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28230]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Maine Mammals; Stock Assessment Reports

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Interior.

ACTION: Extension of comment period on draft stock assessments and 
Potential Biological Removal (PBR) workshop report.

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SUMMARY: The Service is extending the comment period on the stock 
assessments for Service marine mammal species and the PBR workshop 
report in consideration of the complexity of the issues surrounding 
both the stock assessments and the PBR workshop report.

DATES: Comments on the draft stock assessments for Service species and 
the report of the PBR workshop must be received by December 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft stock assessments for Service species 
and PBR workshop report are available from the Division of Fish and 
Wildlife Management Assistance, Fish and Wildlife Service, Room 820-
ARLSQ, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, Telephone (703) 358-
1718.
    Comments on the draft stock assessment for polar bears, Pacific 
walrus, and northern sea otters in Alaska, along with comments on the 
report of the PBR workshop, should be sent to Dave McGillivary, 
Supervisor, Office of Marine Mammals Management, Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503; FAX: (907) 786-
3816.
    Comments on the draft stock assessments for West Indian manatees, 
along with comments on the report of the PBR workshop, should be sent 
to Robert Turner, Manatee Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 
South Point Drive, South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216; FAX: 
(904) 232-2404.
    Comments on the draft stock assessments for the California sea 
otter, and the northern sea otter in Washington State, along with 
comments on the report of the PBR workshop, should be sent to Carl 
Benz, Sea Otter Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Service, 2140 Eastman 
Avenue, Suite 100, Ventura, California 93003; FAX: (818) 904-6288.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeff Horwath in the Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Fish and 
Wildlife Management Assistance, Arlington, Virginia at (703) 358-1718. 
For information about the Alaska marine mammals identified in the 
ADDRESSES Section above, contact Dave McGillivary at (907) 786-3800. 
For information about West Indian manatees as identified in the 
ADDRESSES Section above, contact Robert Turner at (904) 232-2580. For 
information about California sea otters, and northern sea otters in 
Washington State as identified in the ADDRESSES Section above, contact 
Carl Benz at (805) 644-1766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 23, 1994, the Service published a 
Federal Register notice announcing the availability of draft stock 
assessments for Service species (i.e., polar bear, Pacific walrus, 
northern sea otter in Alaska, West Indian manatees, California sea 
otter, and northern sea otter in Washington State) and the PBR workshop 
report (59 FR 43353). The stock assessments are required under new 
Section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act as amended in 1994 
(Pub. L. 103-238). A summary of the draft stock assessments specifying 
geographical range, regional designation, minimum abundance estimate, 
PBR level, estimated annual average human-caused mortality, and whether 
or not the stock would be regarded as strategic or nonstrategic was 
included in the Federal Register notice. The PBR workshop, composed of 
National Marine Fisheries Service and Service scientists, was convened 
to develop an initial approach for promoting consistent national 
interpretation of parameters to be used in draft stock assessments, 
including the calculation of PBR levels.
    The initial comment period for draft stock assessments for Service 
species and PBR workshop was scheduled to end on November 21, 1994. In 
response to concern that the public comment period was inadequate, 
given the scope of the issues surrounding the stock assessments and the 
PBR workshop reports, the Service hereby extends the comment period and 
welcomes comments received by December 1, 1994. Subsequent to the close 
of the extended period, the Service will provide copies of public 
comments to members of the Alaska, Pacific, and Atlantic Scientific 
Review Groups, as appropriate, for their consideration prior to the 
next scheduled meeting of these groups.
    Comments must be received in the appropriate office as identified 
in the ADDRESSES Section above by December 1, 1994, to be fully 
considered. Therefore, those submitting comments close to that date 
should FAX their comments or call to ensure receipt of their comments.

    Dated: November 8, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-28230 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M