[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59749-59750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29767]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 223 and 224

[I.D. 111901A]


Exemption to No-entry Zone Around Chirikof Island, AK

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

ACTION: Notification of authorized exemption to the 3-nautical mile 
(nm) no-entry zone around Chirikof Island, AK.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to regulations under the Endangered Species Act, the 
Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, is authorizing an 
exemption to the 3-nm, no-entry zone around Chirikof Island for the 
sole purpose of livestock removal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service. Regulations allow an exemption to the no-entry zone, provided 
that the activity is authorized by the Regional Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, that the activity will not have a significant adverse 
effect on Steller sea lions, and that no readily available and 
acceptable alternative site exists for the activity.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 4, 2001, the U.S. Fish And 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) requested an exemption under Federal 
regulations for the management of the Steller sea lions (at 50 CFR 
parts 223 and 224) to allow for passage through the 3-nm no-entry zone 
in the Southwest Anchorage of Chirikof Island to facilitate livestock 
removal. Chirikof Island is part of the Alaska Maritime National 
Wildlife Refuge. The USFWS is working cooperatively with a private 
consortium to remove unauthorized livestock from refuge lands on 
Chirikof Island to facilitate the natural recovery of the ecosystem 
health of the island after more than a century of livestock grazing. 
This activity is part of an overall effort to remove introduced 
animals, including cattle and feral foxes, from the island.
    USFWS proposes to remove livestock over a 2-year period beginning 
in October 2001. All activities will occur

[[Page 59750]]

in areas outside the exclusion zones established for the listed Steller 
sea lion rookery, except at the Southwest Anchorage of the island, 
which is located several miles from, and out of sight of, the rookery. 
Therefore, the rookery should not be disturbed by this activity.
    Regulations governing endangered species (50 CFR part 224) state 
that provisions in part 223 also apply to the endangered western stock 
of Steller sea lions. Section 223.202 (b)(5) allows an exemption to the 
no-entry zone provided that the activity is authorized by the Regional 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, that the activity will not have a 
significant adverse effect on Steller sea lions, and that no readily 
available and acceptable alternative site exists for the activity. The 
Regional Administrator has determined that this activity will not 
adversely affect Steller sea lions. Therefore, NMFS granted an 
exemption from the 3-nm no-entry restriction around Chirikof Island, AK 
for the removal of livestock and other appropriate feral wildlife by 
the USFWS. All other provisions included in 50 CFR 223.202 (a) apply.

    Dated: November 23, 2001.
David Cottingham
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-29767 Filed 11-29-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S