[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31315]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 101497D]


Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing 
Operations; Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan 
Environmental Assessment

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

ACTION: Extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On November 4, 1997, NMFS published a notice of availability 
of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the alternatives being 
considered for implementation of the Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take 
Reduction Plan. NMFS is hereby extending the public comment period for 
an additional 30 days.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft EA or the draft Atlantic Offshore 
Cetacean Take Reduction Plan may be obtained from Chief, Marine Mammal 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910, or by calling (301) 713-2322.
    Written comments should be submitted to Chief, Marine Mammal 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910, fax: 301/713-2322.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Cornish, Office of Protected 
Resources, (301) 713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 4, 1997, NMFS published a notice 
of availability of a draft EA on the alternatives being considered for 
implementation of the Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan. 
The notice indicated that comments must be received on or before 
December 4, 1997.
    NMFS has since received a request to extend the public comment 
period for an additional 30 days. This request is made because at least 
2 members of the Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Team will be 
out of the country for a large portion of the public comment period and 
would be unable to sufficiently review and comment on the EA. NMFS 
agrees that the current public comment period is not long enough to 
allow for sufficient public comment in lieu of other previous 
commitments by members of the team.
    NMFS hereby extends the public comment period for an additional 30 
days, until January 4, 1998.

    Dated: November 24, 1997.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31315 Filed 11-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 31315-22-F