[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59000-59001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29390]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110701A]


Marine Mammals; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental 
Assessment for Issuing a Gray Whale Subsistence Quota to the Makah 
Indian Tribe for the years 2003 through 2007

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment(EA); 
request for written comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces its intention to prepare an EA, in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act, to assess the impacts of 
issuing a subsistence quota for gray whales to the Makah Tribe for the 
years 2003 through 2007. NMFS solicits comments and information to 
facilitate this analysis.

DATES: Comments and information must be postmarked by January 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Chief, Marine Mammal 
Division (F/PR2), Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 13th Floor, 1315 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 
20910. Please mark the outside of the envelope with ``Comments on Gray 
Whale Analysis.'' Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail 
or internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Yates, 301-713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At its 1997 annual meeting, the 
International

[[Page 59001]]

Whaling Commission (IWC) approved a quota of 620 gray whales for an 
aboriginal subsistence harvest for the years 1998 through 2002. The 
basis for the quota was a joint request by the Russian Federation (for 
a total of 600 whales) and the United States (for a total of 20 
whales). The subsistence and ceremonial needs of the Makah Indian Tribe 
were the foundation of the United States' request to the IWC. On July 
12, 2001, NMFS published an EA on issuing a quota to the Makah Indian 
Tribe for a subsistence hunt on gray whales for the years 2001 and 
2002(66 FR 37641, July 19, 2001.) The EA is posted on NMFS website at: 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/prot_res.html under ``New 
Arrivals''.
    The IWC's 54th annual meeting is scheduled for May of 2002. NMFS is 
preparing an EA on issuance of a quota to the Makah Indian Tribe for a 
subsistence hunt on gray whales for the years 2003 through 2007 in the 
event that the IWC renews a 5-year aboriginal subsistence quota for 
gray whales. NMFS is evaluating the following four alternatives: 
Alternative 1 - Grant the Makah Tribe a quota of 5 whales per year over 
5 years with restrictions that would allow a limited hunt on the gray 
whale summer feeding aggregation.
    Alternative 2-Grant the Makah Tribe a quota of 5 whales per year 
over 5 years with restrictions to target the hunt on migrating whales.
    Alternative 3-Grant the Makah Tribe a quota of 5 whales per year 
over 5 years without time or area restrictions.
    Alternative 4-(No Action)-Do not grant the Makah Tribe a quota.

Information Solicited

    To ensure that the review is comprehensive and based on the best 
available information, NMFS is soliciting information and comments from 
any interested party concerning the issuance of a gray whale quota of 5 
whales per year over 5 years to the Makah Tribe for the years 2003 
through 2007. NMFS is particularly interested in any new information on 
the affected environment or environmental consequences that has become 
available since the last analysis was completed. It is requested that 
data, information, and comments be accompanied by (1) supporting 
documentation, and (2) the name, address, and affiliation of person 
submitting data. Following the issuance of the draft EA NMFS will 
solicit additional public input.

    Dated: November 16, 2001.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administration for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29390 Filed 11-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S