[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 149 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40196-40199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19539]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[Docket No. 960412111-6202-02; I.D. 040596B]
RIN 0648-ZA20


West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Northwest Emergency Assistance Plan 
(NEAP)

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

ACTION: Final notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the final eligibility criteria for the 
NEAP Habitat Restoration Jobs Program and the Data Collection Jobs 
Program, and responds to comments submitted on the notice of proposed 
program, which was published in the Federal Register on April 23, 1996. 
The notice of proposed program effected certain administrative changes 
to the NEAP, and requested comments on proposed NEAP revisions for the 
Habitat Restoration Program and the Data Collection Jobs Program, as 
well as the License Buy Out Program.
    NMFS has established final funding allocations for the Habitat 
Restoration Jobs ($4.7 million), Data Collection Jobs ($2.8 million) 
and License Buy Out ($5.2 million) Programs. Final decision on the 
administration of the License Buy Out Program has been deferred until 
the public is provided with notice and an opportunity to comment on new 
bidding options. The decision to defer the program is based on comments 
received from the public and consultations with state and local 
officials.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 26, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Freese, (206) 526-6113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 2, 1995, the Secretary of Commerce 
(Secretary) declared that a fishery resource disaster continued in 1995 
for the salmon fisheries of the Pacific States of California (north of 
San Francisco), Oregon, and Washington, excluding Puget Sound. Under 
the authority of the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act (IFA) of 1986 
(16 U.S.C. 4107(d)), as amended, an additional $12.7 million in Federal 
financial assistance was made available for affected salmon fishermen.
    In the notice and request for comments (61 FR 17879; April 23, 
1996), NMFS announced its decision to continue the basic structure of 
the Habitat Restoration Jobs Program and the Data Collection Jobs 
Program, as first established on October 11, 1994 (59 FR 51419), with 
subsequent amendments published on January 31, 1995 (60 FR 3908), and 
June 22, 1995 (60 FR 32507), but to change certain aspects of the NEAP 
and propose revisions to certain limitations, terms, and conditions of 
the programs. The April 23, 1996, notice effected administrative 
changes relating to the calculation of uninsured loss, and specifically 
requested comments on the following issues: (1) A decrease in the 
minimum commercial fishing income earning requirement from $5,000 to 
$2,500; (2) allowing participants in the License Buy Out Program to 
participate in the Jobs Programs; (3) exclusion of applicants from the 
License Buy Out Program who offer licenses purchased in 1995; and (4) 
four bidding options for the License Buy Out Program.
    The notice also indicated that Congress may amend the IFA to 
provide NMFS with more program flexibility. The President signed these 
amendments into law on April 26, 1996. These amendments superseded the 
administrative change made in the April 23, 1996, Federal Register 
notice relating to uninsured losses, and had the following impacts on 
the NEAP: (1) Financial assistance is now no longer limited to $100,000 
over the life of the NEAP; (2) no calculation of uninsured loss is 
necessary; and (3) participation in the program is now limited to 
applicants with less than $2,000,000 in net revenues annually from 
commercial fishing, as opposed to the previous cap of $2,000,000 in 
gross revenues annually.
    Pursuant to the comments received on the notice, and after 
consultations with state and local officials, NMFS has decided to defer 
a final decision on the License Buy Out Program. The comments indicated 
a lack of consensus on any proposed bidding option, and the Governor of 
Washington, citing this lack of consensus, supported a delay of the 
program for consideration of new options. These new bidding options are 
being developed, and the public will be provided with notice and an 
opportunity to comment before a final decision is made.

Comments and Responses

    In response to the notice of proposed program, NMFS received 25 
comment letters from 10 fishing associations, 14 fishermen, 1 tribe, 
and 2 government entities. This notice will only respond to comments on 
the Habitat Restoration Program and Data Collection Jobs Program. NMFS 
will respond to the comments on the License Buy Out Program in the 
notice that will present the new bidding options.
     Comment 1: One county government requested inclusion of processors 
and support industries in NEAP. Similarly, one association requested 
programs to address an estimated loss of 1,000 full-time jobs in the 
shoreside sector since 1988.
     Response 1: The IFA limits assistance ``to persons engaged in 
commercial fisheries* * *. `` NMFS interprets this to mean vessel 
owners, operators, or crew directly involved in commercial fishing. 
Consequently, losses suffered by the processing and support industries 
are not eligible for assistance.
     Comment 2: One association requested that habitat restoration be 
focused in areas that are managed for wild stocks, which is one of the 
most limiting factors in mixed stock fisheries management. The 
association also commented that project selection should not focus only 
on areas with the most fishermen per capita, because fishermen who fish 
in coastal fisheries but reside in the North Puget Sound or the 
metropolitan Puget Sound areas also have suffered from the fisheries 
disaster.
     Response 2: The selection of habitat projects focuses primarily on 
the optimum benefit to the salmon resource. However, since the projects 
are designed to employ eligible fishermen, projects must be located 
within commuting distance of these fishermen. In addition, local, state 
and Federal officials participate in the project selection process, and 
their decisions reflect current policies concerning wild and hatchery 
stocks. Protection of habitat associated with hatchery stocks is 
important and usually benefits wild stocks.
     Comment 3: One local government organization and one fisherman 
requested that NEAP be expanded to include Puget Sound, claiming that 
Puget Sound charterboat operators experienced severe Sound closures 
during the years 1994 through 1996 and, unlike coastal charters, cannot 
easily switch to bottomfishing or whale watching.
     Response 3: The IFA provides assistance to fishermen affected by 
declared fisheries disasters. The Secretary's disaster declaration 
limited the disaster to the fisheries of the Pacific States of 
California (north of San Francisco), Oregon, and Washington, excluding 
Puget Sound. Puget Sound was excluded because the factors underlying 
the natural resource disaster were not deemed to have extended to Puget 
Sound. Consequently, Puget Sound fishermen are not eligible for 
assistance.
     Comment 4: One local government organization urged that disaster 
assistance be provided to the Northwest fishing industry now to enable 
it to survive projected losses in 1996.

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     Response 4: Since the Secretary has not yet declared a fisheries 
disaster for 1996, Commerce cannot provide assistance for projected 
losses in 1996.
     Comment 5: One association recommended adjusting the maximum 
income limitations for differences in the cost of living in different 
geographical areas.
     Response 5: Adjusting the maximum income limitations for 
differences in the cost of living in different geographical areas would 
be unduly burdensome and may delay the program. NMFS believes that the 
current income limitations accurately capture the fishermen most 
affected by the disasters.
     Comment 6: To improve the data collected in the Data Collection 
Jobs Program, one association requested that the requirements for 
qualified platforms and fishermen be lenient enough so that contractors 
could hire the best type of vessel for the planned research.
     Response 6: Under the 1995 eligibility requirements, an adequate 
number of appropriate vessels were found to complete the desired 
research. If the subcontractor requires a larger vessel in order to 
further NEAP conservation and sustainable management efforts and 
complete essential research, and NEAP eligible fishermen with such 
vessels are not available, the subcontractor may utilize non-eligible 
fishermen's vessels. However, subcontractors must contact and receive 
prior approval from NMFS and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries 
Commission before hiring such vessels. The subcontractor must also be 
able to demonstrate the need for a larger vessel and document the 
search for eligible owner-operators. Fishermen who perform the data 
collection research activities on the vessel (not the owner or 
operator) must still satisfy the Data Collection Jobs Program 
eligibility criteria.
    Comment 7: Three comments were received concerning the amounts of 
money allocated for the existing programs. One association wanted an 
increased allocation for California fishermen, while another 
association sought more money for the Washington License Buy Out 
Program. One fisherman wanted more money for buying charter boat 
permits under the Washington License Buy Out Program, and three 
associations requested that the California Habitat Restoration Jobs 
Program funds be split equally among the four counties.
     Response 7: The NEAP allocation of funds among states and among 
programs was based on consultations with state governors. The 
allocation of funds among gear groups in the License Buy Out Program 
was based on the recommendations of the Governor of Washington. The 
allocation of Habitat Restoration Jobs Program funds within a state is 
a decision made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 
consultation with the states and the resource conservation districts.
     Comment 8: Three associations and one resource conservation 
district requested that $100,000 be transferred from the California 
Habitat Restoration Jobs Program to the California Data Collection Jobs 
Program. This request is for at-sea data collection projects in support 
of Pacific Fisheries Management Council salmon management. These 
projects will assess fishing techniques that avoid stressed stocks 
while allowing access to healthy stocks.
     Response 8: NMFS, USDA, and the Office of the Governor of 
California concur in this recommendation, and $100,000 of funds has 
been transferred.
     Comment 9: One fisherman stated that there was a mistake in 
referring to a specific Federal Register notice and requested that NMFS 
publish a correction and extend the public comment period 
appropriately.
     Response 9: On page 17880 of the Federal Register notice (61 FR 
17879, April 23, 1996), the following statement was made: 
``Furthermore, as a result of the Secretary's expansion of the disaster 
and NMFS's efforts to improve the program, the term ``loss'', as 
defined in the NEAP published on January 31, 1994 (60 FR 5908)* * *.'' 
The correct publication date of the Federal Register notice being 
referred to is January 31, 1995. The volume and page number of the 
citation are correct and, therefore, this does not necessitate an 
extension of the comment period.

Final Eligibility Criteria for the Habitat Restoration Jobs Program 
and Data Collection Jobs Program

    Pursuant to the IFA amendments and the comments received on the 
notice of proposed program, NMFS has established the following 
eligibility criteria:
    1. The applicant must be a commercial fisherman as defined in the 
October 11, 1994, program notice (59 FR 51419).
    2. The applicant must have earned at least $2,500 in commercial 
fishing income in any of the base years 1986 through 1991.
    3. Applicants must show documentation that they participated in the 
commercial fisheries during the disaster period of 1991 to 1995.
    4. The applicant must have earned less than $2,000,000 in net 
revenues annually from commercial fishing.
    5. If single, the applicant's 1993, 1994, or 1995 gross income 
(income from fishing and non-fishing activities) must have been less 
than $25,000. If married, the applicant's 1993, 1994, or 1995 gross 
income must have been less than $50,000.
    Since NMFS received no comments to the contrary, fishermen who have 
participated or will participate in the Washington State License Buy 
Out Program are now eligible for assistance through employment in the 
Habitat Restoration Program or the Data Collection Jobs Program if they 
meet the other program eligibility requirements.
    All inquiries on how to apply to the Habitat Restoration Jobs 
Program should be directed to the following people:
    Washington--Steve Meyer, Executive Director, Washington State 
Conservation Commission, P.O. Box 47721, Olympia, WA
    98504-7721; (360) 407-6201.
    Oregon--Tom Schafer, Outreach Coordinator, Salmon Disaster Outreach 
Program, 13408 Alsea Highway, Tidewater, OR 97390; (541) 528-7451.
    California--Curtis Ihle, Overall Program Coordinator, Humboldt 
County Resource Conservation District, P.O. Box 397, Fields Landing, CA 
95537-0397; (707) 444-9708.
    For employment in the Data Collection Jobs Program, please contact 
Russell Porter, Field Program Administrator, Pacific States Marine 
Fisheries Commission, 45 SE. 82nd Drive, Suite 100, Gladstone, OR 
97027-2522; (503) 650-5400.

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Program is listed in the ``Catalogue of Federal Domestic 
Assistance'' under No. 11.452, Unallied Industry Projects.

Classification

    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.
    NMFS finds good cause for making this announcement effective the 
date of filing with the Office of the Federal Register. Delaying the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest 
because it would delay financial assistance to those affected by a 
fishery resource disaster. Furthermore, the data collection is tied to 
the migratory patterns of the stock, and must be completed soon if it 
is to be of use for the next fishing season.
    The Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation of the 
Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
the Small Business Administration that this

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announcement would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities because only a small portion of 
the industry will be directly affected.
    This program contains a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The collection of this 
information has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB), under OMB control number 0648-0288. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no person is required to respond to nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection 
of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

    Authority: Public Law 99-659 (16 U.S.C. 4107 et seq.); Public 
Law 102-396.

    Dated: July 25, 1996.
Charles Karnella,
Acting Director, Office of Management and Information, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-19539 Filed 7-26-96; 4:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F