[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55393-55394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28214]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 101597B]


International Whaling Commission: Final Environmental Assessment

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Assessment 
(EA) on Makah Whaling.

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

SUMMARY: The Makah Tribe (Tribe) has indicated that it wishes to 
harvest up to five gray whales per year for subsistence and ceremonial 
purposes. NOAA prepared a draft EA that weighed the impacts of 
supporting the Makah interest in whaling and considered alternatives to 
concurrence. Comments were solicited from the public. NOAA, having 
first considered the public's comments, has concluded that there will 
be no significant effect on the human environment.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final EA may be obtained from the Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; telephone: 301-713-2332.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Payne, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. 
Phone: (301) 713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tribe has indicated that it wishes to 
harvest up to five gray whales per year for subsistence and ceremonial 
purposes. Within the U.S. Government, whaling is managed by the 
Department of Commerce, which must therefore consider whether to 
support the Makah interest in continuing its tradition of whaling. This 
EA weighs the impacts of supporting the Makah interest in whaling and 
considers alternatives to concurrence. The EA analyzes alternatives, 
including the proposed action. The alternatives are (1) support the 
Tribe's decision to whale after receiving approval from the 
International Whaling Commission (IWC) [proposed action]; (2) delay 
consideration of support until the 5 year monitoring program of the 
eastern Pacific stock of gray whales is complete; (3) persuade the 
Tribe to engage in alternative activities, such as ecotourism instead 
of whaling; and (4) take no action. NMFS published a draft EA on August 
22, 1997, and solicited comments from the public. The public comment 
period ended on September 22, 1997. The final EA incorporates comments 
from the public and concludes that the proposed action will have no 
significant effect on the human environment.


[[Page 55394]]


    Dated: October 20, 1997.
Hilda Diaz-Soltero,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28214 Filed 10-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F