[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 13281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5258]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 012401D]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statements (SEISs) for the Essential Fish Habitat 
(EFH) Components of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP) and Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP

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

ACTION: Notification of intent to prepare an SEIS; request for 
comments; extension of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: NMFS recently announced its intention to prepare SEISs in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) 
for the EFH components for both the Northeast Multispecies FMP and 
Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP. NMFS will accept written comments to 
determine the range of management alternatives to be addressed in the 
SEISs to describe and identify EFH, minimize to the extent practicable 
the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, and identify other actions to 
encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH. NMFS is extending 
the comment period for the submission of written comments to ensure 
opportunity for public comment.

DATES: Written comments on the intent to prepare the SEISs must be 
received on or before 5 p.m., local time, April 4, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the intent to prepare the SEISs and 
requests for the scoping document or other information should be 
directed to the National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930, Attn: Louis A. Chiarella. Telephone (978) 281-
9277. Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to (978) 281-9301. 
NMFS will not accept comments by e-mail or Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louis A. Chiarella, Essential Fish 
Habitat Coordinator, ([email protected]), (978) 281-9277, fax 
(978) 281-9301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 1, 2001 (66 FR 8568), NMFS 
published notification of its intention to prepare SEISs for the EFH 
components of the Northeast Multispecies FMP and Atlantic Sea Scallop 
FMP. See the February 1, 2001, Federal Register notification for 
background and scoping information related to the development of these 
SEISs. NMFS is extending the comment period so that written comments 
will now be accepted through April 4, 2001, rather than through March 
5, 2001.

    Authority 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: February 27, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5258 Filed 3-2-01; 8:45 am]
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