[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 65092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26978]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 101102H]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Notice of public scoping meeting for a supplemental 
environmental impact statement (SEIS).

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a public scoping meeting to determine issues 
for an SEIS for the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf 
of Alaska (FMP) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (NEPA). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) is proposing management measures to improve the economic 
efficiency of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) groundfish fisheries which also 
may address conservation, safety, and social concerns. The Council is 
considering one or more methods of allocating fishing privileges such 
as: individual fishing quotas (IFQs); individual processing quotas 
(IPQs); allocations to communities; fishing cooperatives program; or 
other measures.

DATES: The public scoping meeting will be held on Friday, October 25, 
2002, from 1 to 4 p.m. Written comments will be accepted through 
November 15, 2002 (see ADDRESSES).

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel, 
Spruce Room, 500 West Third Avenue, Anchorage, AK.
    Written comments on issues and alternatives for the SEIS should be 
sent to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable 
Fisheries, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: 
Lori Gravel-Durall, or delivered to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th 
Street, Juneau, AK. Comments may be sent via facsimile (fax) to 907-
586-7557. NMFS will not accept comments by e-mail or internet.
    An analysis of the issues and alternatives will be available 
through the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th, 
Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn Merrill, (907) 586-7228 or 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a notice of intent to prepare 
an SEIS on May 29, 2002 (67 FR 37393). The notice of intent provides 
additional information on the SEIS public scoping process and may be 
obtained through NMFS (See ADDRESSES).
    NMFS is holding public scoping meetings and accepting written 
comments to determine the issues of concern and the appropriate range 
of management alternatives to be addressed in the SEIS. NMFS has held 
seven public scoping hearings in Alaska at Sand Point, King Cove, 
Kodiak, Cordova, Homer, and Petersburg, and also in Seattle, WA. The 
meeting announced in this document is intended to provide an additional 
opportunity for public comment during the scoping period. This meeting 
is being held in Anchorage to help facilitate participation by Native 
Alaskan tribal governments attending the 2002 Conference of the Alaska 
Federation of Natives. NMFS will notify Native Alaskan tribal 
governments prior to this meeting.
    Additional information on the public scoping process may be 
obtained through NMFS (see ADDRESSES), or via the NMFS website at 
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/. The specific options for rationalization may 
be obtained through the Council (see ADDRESSES), or via the Council 
website at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/.

Public Involvement

    NMFS is seeking written public comments on the scope of issues that 
should be addressed in the SEIS and alternatives and options that 
should be considered for management of the GOA groundfish 
fisheries.Public comments on specific aspects of the rationalization 
programs should be submitted to NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The public also 
will be able to provide oral and written comments at the meeting. The 
Council will make a draft analysis of these alternative programs 
available for public review and comment. Copies of the analysis can be 
requested from the Council (see ADDRESSES).

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Glenn Merrill, NMFS, (see ADDRESSES), (907) 586-
7228, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

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

    Dated: October 18, 2002.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26978 Filed 10-22-02; 8:45 am]
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