[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 8233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4275]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 020122018-2018-01; I.D. 111601B]


National Artificial Reef Plan Revision

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Artificial Reef Plan of 1985 (National Plan) was 
originally published as NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS OF-6 in November 
1985. NMFS requests comments on proposed revisions to the National 
Plan.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than May 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed revisions should be submitted to 
William L. Price, National Coordinator for Marine Recreational 
Fisheries Programs, 1315 East West Highway, Suite 14752, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910. Comments may also be submitted via Fax. Comments submitted 
via electronic mail will not be accepted. Requests for hard copies of 
proposed revisions to the National Artificial Reef Plan should be 
addressed to C. Michael Bailey, NOAA-Fisheries, Suite 134, 9721 
Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Price, (301) 713-9504; fax 
(301) 713-2384.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Plan of 1985 was developed by 
the Secretary of Commerce under direction of the National Fishing 
Enhancement Act of 1984 (Act). The National Plan, which was designed to 
be a dynamic working document that would be updated as new information 
became available, was originally published in November 1985 as NOAA 
Technical Memorandum NMFS OF-6.
    The National Plan provided guidance on various aspects of 
artificial reef use, including types of construction materials and 
planning, siting, designing, and managing artificial reefs. The 1985 
document was general in scope and provided a framework for regional, 
state, and local planners to develop more detailed, site-specific 
artificial reef plans sensitive to highly variable local needs and 
conditions. Since 1985, extensive research has been conducted shedding 
new light on issues pertaining to artificial reefs. Accordingly, the 
NMFS has revised the National Plan. The revision follows the format of 
the 1985 Plan incorporating changes to original text in key areas. The 
most significant deviations occur in the section dealing with 
materials. The revision also addresses several critical issues of 
national importance which provide the focus for much of the debate 
regarding man-made reef activities. These include the permit programs, 
materials criteria, liability, research and evaluation, site location, 
and the roles of affected federal agencies and the regional fisheries 
management councils. In addition, one of the main areas of emphasis was 
to include language to reiterate the importance of man-made structures 
as a fisheries management tool. New language in the National Plan is 
consistent with the guidelines and recommendations of the Atlantic, 
Gulf, and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commissions and 
representatives of state artificial reef programs relative to 
artificial reef development.

    Dated: February 14, 2002.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-4275 Filed 2-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S