[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52703-52718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22669]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 030828215-3215-01; I.D. 082103A]
RIN 0648-AR47


Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Groundfish Fishery Management 
Measures; Corrections

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

ACTION: Final emergency rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces changes to the closed areas affecting the 
limited entry fixed gear fleet, the open access non-trawl gear fleet 
and the recreational fishery in southern California. For the limited 
entry fixed gear and open access non-trawl gear fleets, south of 
34[deg]27' N. lat. to the U.S./Mexico border, the eastern, inshore 
boundary of the non-trawl rockfish conservation area (non-trawl RCA), 
an area closed to fishing by those fisheries, will be a boundary line 
approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour, except in the Cowcod 
Conservation Areas (CCA) where the inshore boundary will remain at 20-
fm (37-m) [Note: The CCA is a distinct closed area separate from the 
non-trawl RCA]. The western, seaward boundary of the non-trawl RCA will 
remain at a line approximating 150-fm (274-m). For the recreational 
fishery, south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. to the U.S./Mexico border, the 
seaward boundary of the open area will be marked by a boundary line 
approximating the 30-fm (55 m) depth contour, except in the CCA where 
the boundary will remain at 20-fm (37-m). [Note: The CCA is a distinct 
closed area separate from the non-trawl RCA.] These actions, which are 
authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), will allow fishermen access to more 
abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted 
stocks. NMFS also announces several corrections to the existing RCA 
boundaries.

DATES: Changes to management measures are effective 0001 hours (local 
time) September 2, 2003, until the 2004 annual specifications and 
management measures are effective, unless modified, superseded, or 
rescinded through a publication in the Federal Register. Comments on 
this rule will be accepted through October 2, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest 
Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or Rod 
Mclnnis, Acting Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Blvd, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Information relevant to 
this emergency rule, which includes an Environmental Assessment/
Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR), is available for public review 
during business hours at the offices of the NMFS Northwest Regional 
Administrator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Goen or Carrie Nordeen 
(Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6140; fax: 206-526-6736; and 
e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    This Federal Register document is available on the Government 
Printing Office's website at:http: //www.access.gpo.gov/su docs/ca/
docs/aces/acesl40.html.Background information and documents are 
available at the NMFS Northwest Region website at:http: //
www.nwr.noaa.gov/lsustfsh/gdfsh01.htm and at the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council's website at: http://www.pcouncil.org.

Background

    The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish 
FMP) and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 660, subpart G, 
regulate fishing for over 80 species of groundfish off the coasts of 
Washington, Oregon, and California. Annual groundfish specifications 
and management measures are initially developed by the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Pacific Council), and are implemented by NMFS. The 
groundfish specifications include optimum yields (OYs) for groundfish 
species and species groups. These OYs are the annual harvest targets. 
Management measures are implemented at the start of the season, and 
adjusted inseason, to allow the fishery to achieve, but not exceed, the 
OYs for groundfish. The specifications and management measures for the 
2003 fishing year (January 1-December 31, 2003) were initially 
published in the Federal Register as an emergency rule for January 1-
February 28, 2003 (68 FR 908, January 7, 2003) and as a proposed rule 
for March 1-December 31, 2003 (68 FR 936, January 7, 2003). The 
emergency rule was amended at 68 FR 4719, January 30, 2003, and the 
final rule for March 1-December 31, 2003 was published in the Federal 
Register on March 7, 2003 (68 FR 11182). The final rule has been 
subsequently amended at 68 FR 18166 (April 15, 2003), at 68 FR 23901 
(May 6, 2003), at 68 FR 23924 (May 6, 2003), at 68 FR 32680 (June 2, 
2003), at 68 FR 35575 (June 16, 2003), at 68 FR 40187 (July 7, 2003) 
and at 68 FR 43473 (July 23, 2003).
    At their June 16-20, 2003 meeting in Foster City, CA, the Pacific 
Council, in consultation with Pacific Coast Treaty Tribes and the 
States of Washington, Oregon, and California, recommended changes to 
current groundfish management measures. Most changes were implemented 
on July 1, 2003 (68 FR 40187, July 7, 2003), but this change was 
delayed because of the need for additional analysis prior to 
implementation. The recommended change being implemented in this 
document is to move the conservation area boundary line affecting the 
commercial non-trawl fisheries (limited entry fixed gear and open 
access non-trawl) and the recreational fishery from 20-fm (37-m) to 30-
fm (55-m) south of 34[deg]27' N. lat, except in the CCA where the 
boundary will remain at 20-fm (37-m). [Note: The CCA is a distinct 
closed area separate from the non-trawl RCA.] This increases the area 
in which the fishery can take place, and decreases the

[[Page 52704]]

closed area that was implemented to protect overfished groundfish 
species.
    When the 2003 specifications and management measures were developed 
for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery in the fall of 2002, the 
Pacific Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) developed a bycatch 
scorecard to project and track estimated mortality of overfished 
groundfish species during 2003. The bycatch scorecard represents the 
best estimates of total catch and is an aid for making management 
decisions. The scorecard estimates which sectors are taking which 
overfished species and roughly how much of those species. This 
scorecard is updated throughout the year as catch data become available 
and was also updated using observer data. At the Pacific Council's June 
meeting, the scorecard was updated for inseason adjustments to be 
effective July 1. The proposed inseason adjustments presented at the 
June Council meeting remained below the OYs for all overfished species. 
Because estimated total mortality of all overfished species remained 
below their OYs for 2003, the California Department of Fish and Game 
(CDFG) proposed an additional inseason management measure to change the 
commercial non-trawl and recreational boundary line south of 34[deg]27' 
N. lat. from 20-fm (37-m) to 30-fm (55-m) to provide some additional 
fishing area to these sectors. The GMT and Pacific Council then 
reviewed analysis presented by CDFG on estimates of total mortality 
based on this change in the boundary line. With estimated total 
mortality as a result of these changes incorporated into the bycatch 
scorecard, estimated take of all overfished species remained below the 
OY for those species, except for bocaccio. Total estimated take of 
bocaccio, coastwide in all sectors, is predicted to be 21.72 mt in 
relation to a <=20 mt OY for 2003 (1.72 mt over the OY). The Pacific 
Council and NMFS normally implement management measures that are 
projected to keep the fishery within the OYs for all species, 
especially overfished species. However, new information on the status 
of bocaccio that was presented at the June Council meeting indicates 
that bocaccio is healthier than had been thought at the beginning of 
2003. Therefore, as explained below, taking into account this 
information and the severe adverse economic impacts from the 2003 
management measures on the commercial and recreational non-trawl 
fisheries in southern California, the Pacific Council recommended the 
change to the boundary line off southern California.
    A new stock assessment conducted in 2003 by NMFS, Southwest 
Fisheries Science Center shows notably increased biomass and 
productivity for the southern stock of bocaccio compared to the 
estimated biomass on the 2002 stock assessment and rebuilding analysis. 
Harvest specifications and management measures for 2003 were shaped by 
stock assessments for bocaccio, canary rockfish, and yelloweye 
rockfish, as well as sablefish and whiting. Based on consideration of a 
2002 bocaccio stock assessment, rebuilding analysis, and a 
sustainability analysis, the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS 
approved an OY for bocaccio of <=20 mt in 2003.
    In May 2003, a new stock assessment and rebuilding analysis for 
bocaccio were released by the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. The 
new assessment is different from the bocaccio assessment in 2002, which 
had indicated that the 1999 year class for bocaccio was weaker than 
previously thought. The 2002 assessment results were driven by the 2001 
Triennial Survey which showed very low abundance of bocaccio and no 
sign of the 1999 year class. For the new assessment, additional 
information on larval abundance from the California Cooperative Oceanic 
Fisheries Investigation, and both length and catch per unit effort 
(CPUE) data from recreational fisheries were used. The new data, which 
also assumed a new rate of natural mortality (0.15 as opposed to 0.20 
in the 2002 assessment), indicate a much stronger 1999 year class and a 
sharp increase in abundance. The assessment and rebuilding analysis 
were reviewed by the Pacific Council's Stock Assessment Review Panel 
(STAR Panel) and presented to the Pacific Council at the Pacific 
Council's June 2003 meeting. To bracket uncertainty from the apparently 
conflicting signals in the different data sources, the STAR Panel 
recommended two models, STAR B1 and STAR B2. STAR B1 omits data from 
the Triennial Surveys and holds the estimated recruitment constant to 
1959, whereas STAR B2 omits the recreational CPUE data and holds 
estimated recruitment constant to 1969. Each of these models de-
emphasizes the other data source. The Stock Assessment Team (STAT Team) 
considered a third model, STAT C, that considered both data sources to 
be important and thus, included both data from the survey and 
recreational CPUE, and holds estimated recruitment constant to 1959, 
and places a low emphasis on the stock-recruitment relationship to 
stabilize estimates of post-1999 recruitment. The results of the STAT C 
model were not complete during the STAR Panel review. The STAR Panel 
did briefly discuss the STAT C model and rejected the approach of the 
STAT C model because the two sources of data used in the model were 
contradictory. The results from the STAR Panel review and the third 
model produced by the STAT Team were then reviewed by the Pacific 
Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) at the June 
Council meeting. The SSC and other advisory bodies to the Pacific 
Council (Groundfish Advisory Panel (GAP) and GMT) made recommendations 
to the Pacific Council based on the new stock assessment and rebuilding 
analysis, which are considered to be the best available science. The 
SSC felt the STAT C model was a reasonable way to integrate the survey 
and CPUE data and, therefore, recommended use of the STAT C model for 
bocaccio.
    Based on the new stock assessment and rebuilding analysis discussed 
above, the Pacific Council adopted a preliminary range of OYs for 
bocaccio for 2004. The range of OYs contemplated for 2004 (199-526 mt) 
is an order of magnitude higher than the <=20 mt OY implemented for 
management in 2003. Based on the new bocaccio stock assessment and 
rebuilding analysis, the Pacific Council also decided it could provide 
some relief in 2003 to the severely constrained commercial and 
recreational fishers in southern California without risk to the status 
of the bocaccio stock.
    Generally, stock assessments that are released in 2003 would only 
be used for management in 2004 and beyond. In this case, however, the 
new assessment and rebuilding analysis forecast are being considered in 
implementing this emergency rule to allow for a change in the 
management measures which is projected to cause the OY for bocaccio to 
be exceeded. Because of the new science for bocaccio that indicates a 
modest increase in bocaccio harvest in 2003 should not interfere with 
stock rebuilding and because of the severe restrictions commercial non-
trawl and recreational fisheries in southern California are 
experiencing, the Pacific Council recommended to NMFS to use the 
knowledge of the improved bocaccio forecast as a means to relieve 
restrictions on southern California fisheries without additional risk 
to the status of the stock.

[[Page 52705]]

Non-Trawl RCA and Recreational Fisheries South of 34[deg]27' N. Lat.

    Beginning in 2003, the limited entry fixed gear and open access 
non-trawl fleet in California has been severely constrained by low trip 
limits and limited nearshore fishing opportunities, with the non-trawl 
RCA (the area closed to most fishing with non-trawl gear) extending 
from the 20-fm (37-m)depth contour to latitude and longitude 
coordinates approximating the 150-fm (274-m) depth contour. These 
management measures were designed to limit the incidental take of 
bocaccio rockfish and keep the catch of bocaccio within its 2003 OY of 
no more than 20 mt. The recreational fishing fleet in California has 
also been similarly constrained, by a reduced season length (July - 
December) and has generally been restricted to fishing inshore of the 
20-fm (37-m) depth contour, to minimize the incidental take of 
bocaccio. Prior to 2000, the recreational fishery has been year round. 
Since 2000, the recreational fishery has been closed for part of the 
year. Between 2000 and 2002, the California recreational fishery 
seasons have been from 8 to 10 months long. Beginning in 2001, some 
area restrictions were implemented. In 2003, the recreational fishery 
has been restricted to a 6 month season and it has only been allowed 
mainly inside of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour.
    Taking into account the most recent bocaccio stock assessment 
information discussed above and the economic hardship resulting from 
restrictive management measures necessary to keep the incidental catch 
of bocaccio within its 2003 OY, the CDFG proposed to the Pacific 
Council that the 2003 bocaccio OY be flexible enough to allow for a 
modest increase in nearshore fishing opportunity. Specifically, CDFG 
proposed that during the months of September-December the eastern 
boundary for the non-trawl RCA and recreational fisheries closed area 
between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico be moved 
from the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour out to the 30-fm (55-m) depth 
contour, except in the CCA where the inshore boundary will remain at 20 
fm (37 m). [Note: The CCA is a distinct closed area separate from the 
non-trawl RCA.] This boundary change was recommended by the Pacific 
Council because it would provide much needed harvest opportunity and 
economic relief for commercial non-trawl fishermen (limited entry fixed 
gear and open access non-trawl gear) and recreational fishers with an 
expected incidental take of an additional 2.22 mt of bocaccio. This 
proposal would allow commercial non-trawl and recreational fishermen 
some access to harvest species of groundfish that occur mainly on the 
continental shelf (in waters deeper than 20-fm (37-m)) and have OYs 
that remain largely unharvested in 2003, such as vermillion rockfish.

Development of Coordinates Approximating the 30-fm (55-m) Depth Contour

    Unlike the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour which does not have latitude 
and longitude coordinates approximating the line, CDFG has developed a 
series of coordinates approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour. All 
other depth-based boundaries for the groundfish fishery, except the 20-
fm (37-m) depth contour, are defined by lines connecting specific 
latitude and longitude coordinates. The 20-fm (37-m) depth contour does 
not have a series of coordinates approximating the boundary line 
because it existed in management before depth-based management was 
implemented in the fall of 2002 and because it is primarily within 
State waters. Managers and enforcement officers from CDFG, along with a 
commercial fixed gear fisherman, met on July 2, 2003, at the GIS Lab in 
Monterey, CA to develop the coordinates for the 30-fm (55-m) boundary. 
With this emergency rule, recreational fisheries in southern California 
will be subject to closed areas defined by a line connecting latitude 
and longitude coordinates approximating a fathom contour similar to how 
commercial groundfish fishery participants have been managed since 
January 1, 2003.
    The State of California has, under state law implemented on April 
9, 2003, established some Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in State waters 
in some areas around the Channel Islands off California. These MPAs are 
described as Richardson Rock, Harris Point, and Judith Rock off San 
Miguel, Carrington Point, and South Point off Santa Rosa Island, 
Painted Cave, Gulf Island, and Scorpion off Santa Cruz Island, and 
Anacapa Island off Anacapa Island. Fishing is prohibited in these MPAs 
under California law. NMFS believes it would be too confusing to the 
public to draw the 30-fm (55-m) area boundary through areas in State 
waters that will remain closed under State law. Therefore, where the 
30-fm (55-m) boundary line would go through the State water area that 
is closed under State law, the entire area will remain closed and this 
is so indicated by the coordinates in this rule.
    Because the effects of this new boundary line were not previously 
analyzed, it is not considered a routine management measure under the 
Groundfish FMP that can be changed through inseason action. Therefore, 
NMFS has analyzed this management measures in an EA. Because this is 
not a routine management measure, the Pacific Council recommends and 
NMFS is implementing an emergency rule to move the boundary line from 
20-fm (37-m) to 30-fm (55-m) south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. (except in the 
CCA where the inshore boundary will remain at 20-fm (37-m) for the 
commercial non-trawl and recreational fleets. This action is projected 
to cause the 2003 OY for bocaccio to be exceeded by approximately 1.72 
mt. The purpose is to relieve some of the economic pressure on the 
fishing industry in southern California without risk to the status of 
the southern stock of bocaccio.

Corrections

    In addition to creating new 30-fm (55-m) RCA boundaries along the 
mainland coast, around the Channel Islands, and around seamounts off 
the State of California, this emergency rule also contains corrections 
to existing RCA boundaries. The first correction pertains to the 200-fm 
(366-m) coastwide RCA boundary. In an areas off the State of 
California, the 200-fm (366-m) RCA boundary was found to extend into 
waters as deep as 300-fm (549-m). This resulted in the groundfish trawl 
fleet being prohibited from fishing in areas where fishing with trawl 
gear should be permitted. Therefore, to better align the 200-fm (366-m) 
RCA boundary with the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour and allow the 
groundfish trawl fleet access to areas where fishing with trawl gear 
should be permitted, several of the coordinates for the 200- fm (366-m) 
RCA boundary were corrected. Throughout 2003, NMFS has clearly 
specified trawl RCA boundaries around islands and seamounts off 
California, however, we have not clearly specified the non-trawl RCA 
boundaries around those same islands and seamounts. This emergency rule 
corrects that oversight by clearly specifying the non-trawl RCA 
boundaries around islands and seamounts off California.
    With the creation of the new 30-fm (55-m) RCA boundaries off 
California, coordinates were generated for additional islands (i.e., 
the northern Channel Islands) off California as well as the southern 
California islands that previously had trawl RCA boundaries. Through 
the process of reviewing maps of and bathymetry data for these islands,

[[Page 52706]]

the State of California requested two name changes. This emergency 
rules addresses the name change by more appropriately referring to the 
Orange County Seamount as Lasuen Knoll and referring to Mira's San 
Diego Rise as San Diego Rise. Additionally, RCA boundaries have been 
unnecessarily generated for two of the southern Channel Islands, 
specifically Santa Barbara Island and San Nicholas Island. After 
closely reviewing maps of these islands, the State of California 
realized that these islands fall completely within the CCA; therefore, 
groundfish fishing is already prohibited around those islands seaward 
of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour. [Note: The CCA is a distinct closed 
area separate from the non-trawl RCA.] To help minimize the number of 
RCA boundary coordinates, California requested that the RCA boundaries 
around Santa Barbara Island and San Nicholas island be removed. In 
light of these corrections and in an effort to be clear about which 
islands belong to which island groupings, this emergency rule specifies 
that the northern Channel Islands include San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa 
Cruz, and Anacapa; that the southern Channel Islands include Santa 
Catalina Island and San Clemente Island; and that the seamounts include 
Lasuen Knoll and San Diego Rise.

NMFS Actions

    For the reasons stated herein, NMFS concurs with the Pacific 
Council's recommendations and hereby announces the following changes to 
the 2003 management measures (68 FR 11182 (March 7, 2003), as amended 
at 68 FR 18166 (April 15, 2003), at 68 FR 23901 (May 6, 2003), at 68 FR 
23924 (May 6, 2003), at 68 FR 32680 (June 2, 2003), at 68 FR 35575 
(June 16, 2003), at 68 FR 40187 (July 7, 2003) and at 68 FR 43473 (July 
23, 2003)) to read as follows:
    1. On page 11214, in the Federal Register document published on 
March 7, 2003, section IV., under A. General Definitions and 
Provisions, paragraph (19)(e), section (x) is revised to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (x) The 150-fm (274-m) depth contour used around the southern 
Channel Islands and seamounts off the State of California is defined by 
straight lines around each island/seamount connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (A) Santa Catalina Island
    (1) 33[deg]19.00' N. lat., 118[deg]15.00' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]26.00' N. lat., 118[deg]22.00' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]28.00' N. lat., 118[deg]28.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]30.00' N. lat., 118[deg]31.00' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]31.00' N. lat., 118[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]29.00' N. lat., 118[deg]41.00' W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]23.00' N. lat., 118[deg]31.00' W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]21.00' N. lat., 118[deg]33.00' W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]18.00' N. lat., 118[deg]28.00' W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]16.00' N. lat., 118[deg]13.00' W. long.; and
    (11) 33[deg]19.00' N. lat., 118[deg]15.00' W. long.
    (B) San Clemente Island
    (1) 32[deg]48.50' N. lat., 118[deg]18.34' W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]56.00' N. lat., 118[deg]29.00' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]03.00' N. lat., 118[deg]34.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]05.00' N. lat., 118[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]03.00' N. lat., 118[deg]40.00' W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]48.00' N. lat., 118[deg]31.00' W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]43.00' N. lat., 118[deg]24.00' W. long.; and
    (8) 32[deg]48.50' N. lat., 118[deg]18.34' W. long.
    (C) Lasuen Knoll
    (1) 33[deg]25.00' N. lat., 118[deg]01.00' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]25.00' N. lat., 117[deg]58.00' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]23.00' N. lat., 117[deg]58.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]23.00' N. lat., 118[deg]01.00' W. long.; and
    (5) 33[deg]25.00' N. lat., 118[deg]01.00' W. long.
* * * * *
    2. On page 32683, in the Federal Register document published on 
June 2, 2003, section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (19)(e), section (xiii) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (xiii) The 200-fm (366-m) depth contour used between the U.S. 
border with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico as a western 
boundary for the trawl RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all 
of the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
    (132) 40[deg]37.11' N. lat., 124[deg]38.03' W. long.;
    (133) 40[deg]34.22' N. lat., 124[deg]41.13' W. long.;
    (134) 40[deg]32.90' N. lat., 124[deg]41.83i W. long.;
    (135) 40[deg]31.30' N. lat., 124[deg]40.97' W. long.;
    (136) 40[deg]29.63' N. lat., 124[deg]38.04' W. long.;
    (137) 40[deg]24.99' N. lat., 124[deg]36.37' W. long.;
    (138) 40[deg]22.23' N. lat., 124[deg]31.78' W. long.;
    (139) 40[deg]16.95' N. lat., 124[deg]31.93' W. long.;
    (140) 40[deg]17.59' N. lat., 124[deg]45.23' W. long.;
    (141) 40[deg]13.25' N. lat., 124[deg]32.36' W. long.;
    (142) 40[deg]10.16' N. lat., 124[deg]24.57' W. long.;
    (143) 40[deg]6.43' N. lat., 124[deg]19.19' W. long.;
    (144) 40[deg]7.07' N. lat., 124[deg]17.75' W. long.;
    (145) 40[deg]5.53' N. lat., 124[deg]18.02' W. long.;
    (146) 40[deg]4.71' N. lat., 124[deg]18.10' W. long.;
    (147) 40[deg]2.35' N. lat., 124[deg]16.57' W. long.;
    (148) 40[deg]1.53' N. lat., 124[deg]9.82' W. long.;
    (149) 39[deg]58.28' N. lat., 124[deg]13.51' W. long.;
    (150) 39[deg]56.60' N. lat., 124[deg]12.02' W. long.;
    (151) 39[deg]55.20' N. lat., 124[deg]07.96' W. long.;
    (152) 39[deg]52.55' N. lat., 124[deg]09.40' W. long.;
    (153) 39[deg]42.68' N. lat., 124[deg]02.52' W. long.;
    (154) 39[deg]35.96' N. lat., 123[deg]59.49' W. long.;
    (155) 39[deg]34.62' N. lat., 123[deg]59.59' W. long.;
    (156) 39[deg]33.78' N. lat., 123[deg]56.82' W. long.;
    (157) 39[deg]33.02' N. lat., 123[deg]57.07' W. long.;
    (158) 39[deg]32.21' N. lat., 123[deg]59.13' W. long.;
    (159) 39[deg]7.85' N. lat., 123[deg]59.07' W. long.;
    (160) 39[deg]00.90' N. lat., 123[deg]57.88' W. long.;
    (161) 38[deg]59.95' N. lat., 123[deg]56.99' W. long.;
    (162) 38[deg]56.82' N. lat., 123[deg]57.74' W. long.;
    (163) 38[deg]56.40' N. lat., 123[deg]59.41' W. long.;
    (164) 38[deg]50.23' N. lat., 123[deg]55.48' W. long.;
    (165) 38[deg]46.77' N. lat., 123[deg]51.49' W. long.;
    (166) 38[deg]45.28' N. lat., 123[deg]51.56' W. long.;
    (167) 38[deg]42.76' N. lat., 123[deg]49.76' W. long.;
    (168) 38[deg]41.54' N. lat., 123[deg]47.76' W. long.;
    (169) 38[deg]40.98' N. lat., 123[deg]48.07' W. long.;

[[Page 52707]]

    (170) 38[deg]38.03' N. lat., 123[deg]45.78' W. long.;
    (171) 38[deg]37.20' N. lat., 123[deg]44.01' W. long.;
    (172) 38[deg]33.44' N. lat., 123[deg]41.75' W. long.;
    (173) 38[deg]29.45' N. lat., 123[deg]38.42' W. long.;
    (174) 38[deg]27.89' N. lat., 123[deg]38.38' W. long.;
    (175) 38[deg]23.68' N. lat., 123[deg]35.40' W. long.;
    (176) 38[deg]19.63' N. lat., 123[deg]33.98' W. long.;
    (177) 38[deg]16.23' N. lat., 123[deg]31.83' W. long.;
    (178) 38[deg]14.79' N. lat., 123[deg]29.91' W. long.;
    (179) 38[deg]14.12' N. lat., 123[deg]26.29' W. long.;
    (180) 38[deg]10.85' N. lat., 123[deg]25.77' W. long.;
    (181) 38[deg]13.15' N. lat., 123[deg]28.18' W. long.;
    (182) 38[deg]12.28' N. lat., 123[deg]29.81' W. long.;
    (183) 38[deg]10.19' N. lat., 123[deg]29.04' W. long.;
    (184) 38[deg]07.94' N. lat., 123[deg]28.45' W. long.;
    (185) 38[deg]06.51' N. lat., 123[deg]30.89' W. long.;
    (186) 38[deg]04.21' N. lat., 123[deg]31.96' W. long.;
    (187) 38[deg]02.07' N. lat., 123[deg]31.3' W. long.;
    (188) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]29.55' W. long.;
    (189) 37[deg]58.13' N. lat., 123[deg]27.21' W. long.;
    (190) 37[deg]55.01' N. lat., 123[deg]27.46' W. long.;
    (191) 37[deg]51.40' N. lat., 123[deg]25.18' W. long.;
    (192) 37[deg]43.97' N. lat., 123[deg]11.49' W. long.;
    (193) 37[deg]36.00' N. lat., 123[deg]02.25' W. long.;
    (194) 37[deg]13.65' N. lat., 122[deg]54.18' W. long.;
    (195) 37[deg]00.66' N. lat., 122[deg]37.84' W. long.;
    (196) 36[deg]57.40' N. lat., 122[deg]28.25' W. long.;
    (197) 36[deg]59.25' N. lat., 122[deg]25.54' W. long.;
    (198) 36[deg]56.88' N. lat., 122[deg]25.42' W. long.;
    (199) 36[deg]57.40' N. lat., 122[deg]22.62' W. long.;
    (200) 36[deg]55.43' N. lat., 122[deg]22.43' W. long.;
    (201) 36[deg]52.29' N. lat., 122[deg]13.18' W. long.;
    (202) 36[deg]47.12' N. lat., 122[deg]07.56' W. long.;
    (203) 36[deg]47.10' N. lat., 122[deg]02.11' W. long.;
    (204) 36[deg]43.76' N. lat., 121[deg]59.11' W. long.;
    (205) 36[deg]38.85' N. lat., 122[deg]02.20' W. long.;
    (206) 36[deg]23.41' N. lat., 122[deg]00.11' W. long.;
    (207) 36[deg]19.68' N. lat., 122[deg]06.93' W. long.;
    (208) 36[deg]14.75' N. lat., 122[deg]01.51' W. long.;
    (210) 36[deg]06.67' N. lat., 121[deg]41.06' W. long.;
    (211) 35[deg]57.07' N. lat., 121[deg]34.32' W. long.;
    (212) 35[deg]52.31' N. lat., 121[deg]32.45' W. long.;
    (213) 35[deg]51.21' N. lat., 121[deg]30.91' W. long.;
    (214) 35[deg]46.32' N. lat., 121[deg]30.30' W. long.;
    (215) 35[deg]33.74' N. lat., 121[deg]20.10' W. long.;
    (216) 35[deg]31.37' N. lat., 121[deg]15.23' W. long.;
    (217) 35[deg]23.32' N. lat., 121[deg]11.44' W. long.;
    (218) 35[deg]15.28' N. lat., 121[deg]04.45' W. long.;
    (219) 35[deg]07.08' N. lat., 121[deg]00.3' W. long.;
    (220) 34[deg]57.46' N. lat., 120[deg]58.23' W. long.;
    (221) 34[deg]44.25' N. lat., 120[deg]58.29' W. long.;
    (222) 34[deg]32.30' N. lat., 120[deg]50.22' W. long.;
    (223) 34[deg]19.08' N. lat., 120[deg]31.21' W. long.;
    (224) 34[deg]17.72' N. lat., 120[deg]19.26' W. long.;
    (225) 34[deg]22.45' N. lat., 120[deg]12.81' W. long.;
    (226) 34[deg]21.36' N. lat., 119[deg]54.88' W. long.;
    (227) 34[deg]09.95' N. lat., 119[deg]46.18' W. long.;
    (228) 34[deg]09.08' N. lat., 119[deg]57.53' W. long.;
    (229) 34[deg]07.53' N. lat., 120[deg]06.35' W. long.;
    (230) 34[deg]10.54' N. lat., 120[deg]19.07' W. long.;
    (231) 34[deg]14.68' N. lat., 120[deg]29.48' W. long.;
    (232) 34[deg]09.51' N. lat., 120[deg]38.32' W. long.;
    (233) 34[deg]03.06' N. lat., 120[deg]35.54' W. long.;
    (234) 33[deg]56.39' N. lat., 120[deg]28.47' W. long.;
    (235) 33[deg]50.25' N. lat., 120[deg]09.43' W. long.;
    (236) 33[deg]37.96' N. lat., 120[deg]00.08' W. long.;
    (237) 33[deg]34.52' N. lat., 119[deg]51.84' W. long.;
    (238) 33[deg]35.51' N. lat., 119[deg]48.49' W. long.;
    (239) 33[deg]42.76' N. lat., 119[deg]47.77' W. long.;
    (240) 33[deg]53.62' N. lat., 119[deg]53.28' W. long.;
    (241) 33[deg]57.61' N. lat., 119[deg]31.26' W. long.;
    (242) 33[deg]56.34' N. lat., 119[deg]26.4' W. long.;
    (243) 33[deg]57.79' N. lat., 119[deg]26.85' W. long.;
    (244) 33[deg]58.88' N. lat., 119[deg]20.06' W. long.;
    (245) 34[deg]02.65' N. lat., 119[deg]15.11' W. long.;
    (246) 33[deg]59.02' N. lat., 119[deg]02.99' W. long.;
    (247) 33[deg]57.61' N. lat., 118[deg]42.07' W. long.;
    (248) 33[deg]50.76' N. lat., 118[deg]37.98' W. long.;
    (249) 33[deg]38.41' N. lat., 118[deg]17.03' W. long.;
    (250) 33[deg]37.14' N. lat., 118[deg]18.39' W. long.;
    (251) 33[deg]35.51' N. lat., 118[deg]18.03' W. long.;
    (252) 33[deg]30.68' N. lat., 118[deg]10.35' W. long.;
    (253) 33[deg]32.49' N. lat., 117[deg]51.85' W. long.;
    (254) 32[deg]58.87' N. lat., 117[deg]20.36' W. long.; and
    (255) 32[deg]35.53' N. lat., 117[deg]29.67' W. long.
* * * * *
    3. On page 32685 in the Federal Register document published on June 
2, 2003, section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (19)(e), section (xiv) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (xiv) The 200-fm (366-m) depth contour used around the southern 
Channel Islands and seamounts off the State of California is defined by 
straight lines around each island/seamount connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (A) Santa Catalina Island
    (1) 33[deg]32.06' N. lat., 118[deg]44.52' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]31.36' N. lat., 118[deg]35.28' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]30.10' N. lat., 118[deg]30.82' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]27.91' N. lat., 118[deg]26.83' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]26.27' N. lat., 118[deg]21.35' W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]21.34' N. lat., 118[deg]15.24' W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]13.66' N. lat., 118[deg]08.98' W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]17.15' N. lat., 118[deg]28.35' W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]20.94' N. lat., 118[deg]34.34' W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]23.32' N. lat., 118[deg]32.60' W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]28.68' N. lat., 118[deg]44.93' W. long.; and

[[Page 52708]]

    (12) 33[deg]32.06' N. lat., 118[deg]44.52' W. long.
    (B) San Clemente Island
    (1) 33[deg]05.89' N. lat., 118[deg]39.45' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.68' N. lat., 118[deg]33.14' W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]57.32' N. lat., 118[deg]29.12' W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]47.51' N. lat., 118[deg]17.88' W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]41.22' N. lat., 118[deg]23.78' W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]46.83' N. lat., 118[deg]32.10' W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]01.61' N. lat., 118[deg]40.64' W. long.; and
    (8) 33[deg]5.89' N. lat., 118[deg]39.45' W. long.
    (C) Lasuen Knoll
    (1) 33[deg]25.91' N. lat., 117[deg]59.44' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]23.37'' N. lat., 117[deg]56.97' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]22.82' N. lat., 117[deg]59.50' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]25.24' N. lat., 118[deg]01.68' W. long.; and
    (5) 33[deg]25.91' N. lat., 117[deg]59.44' W. long.
    (D) San Diego Rise
    (1) 32[deg]50.30' N. lat., 117[deg]50.18' W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]44.01' N. lat., 117[deg]44.46' W. long.;
    (3) 32[deg]41.34' N. lat., 117[deg]45.86' W. long.;
    (4) 32[deg]45.45' N. lat., 117[deg]50.09' W. long.;
    (5) 32[deg]50.10i N. lat., 117[deg]50.76' W. long.; and
    (6) 32[deg]50.30' N. lat., 117[deg]50.18' W. long.
* * * * *
    4. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (19)(e), sections (xv),(xvi), and (xviii) are added to read 
as follows:
* * * * *
    (xv) The 30-fm (55-m) depth-contour between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and 
the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines connecting all 
of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]30.31' W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]25.84' N. lat., 120[deg]27.04' W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]25.16' N. lat., 120[deg]20.18' W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]25.88' N. lat., 120[deg]18.24' W. long.;
    (5) 34[deg]27.26' N. lat., 120[deg]12.47' W. long.;
    (6) 34[deg]26.27' N. lat., 120[deg]02.22' W. long.;
    (7) 34[deg]23.41' N. lat., 119[deg]53.04' W. long.;
    (8) 34[deg]23.33' N. lat., 119[deg]48.74' W. long.;
    (9) 34[deg]22.31' N. lat., 119[deg]41.36' W. long.;
    (10) 34[deg]21.72' N. lat., 119[deg]40.14' W. long.;
    (11) 34[deg]21.25' N. lat., 119[deg]41.18' W. long.;
    (12) 34[deg]20.25' N. lat., 119[deg]39.03' W. long.;
    (13) 34[deg]19.87' N. lat., 119[deg]33.65' W. long.;
    (14) 34[deg]18.67' N. lat., 119[deg]30.16' W. long.;
    (15) 34[deg]16.95' N. lat., 119[deg]27.09' W. long.;
    (16) 34[deg]13.02' N. lat., 119[deg]26.99' W. long.;
    (17) 34[deg]08.62' N. lat., 119[deg]20.89' W. long.;
    (18) 34[deg]06.95' N. lat., 119[deg]17.68' W. long.;
    (19) 34[deg]05.93' N. lat., 119[deg]15.17' W. long.;
    (20) 34[deg]08.42' N. lat., 119[deg]13.11' W. long.;
    (21) 34[deg]05.23' N. lat., 119[deg]13.34' W. long.;
    (22) 34[deg]04.98' N. lat., 119[deg]11.39' W. long.;
    (23) 34[deg]04.55' N. lat., 119[deg]11.09' W. long.;
    (24) 34[deg]04.15' N. lat., 119[deg]09.35' W. long.;
    (25) 34[deg]04.89' N. lat., 119[deg]07.86' W. long.;
    (26) 34[deg]04.08' N. lat., 119[deg]07.33' W. long.;
    (27) 34[deg]04.01' N. lat., 119[deg]06.89' W. long.;
    (28) 34[deg]05.08' N. lat., 119[deg]07.02' W. long.;
    (29) 34[deg]05.27' N. lat., 119[deg]04.95' W. long.;
    (30) 34[deg]04.51' N. lat., 119[deg]04.07' W. long.;
    (31) 34[deg]02.26' N. lat., 118[deg]59.88' W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]01.08' N. lat., 118[deg]59.77' W. long.;
    (33) 34[deg]00.94' N. lat., 118[deg]51.65' W. long.;
    (34) 33[deg]59.77' N. lat., 118[deg]49.26' W. long.;
    (35) 34[deg]00.04' N. lat., 118[deg]48.92' W. long.;
    (36) 33[deg]59.65' N. lat., 118[deg]48.43' W. long.;
    (37) 33[deg]59.46' N. lat., 118[deg]47.25' W. long.;
    (38) 33[deg]59.08' N. lat., 118[deg]45.89' W. long.;
    (39) 34[deg]00.21' N. lat., 118[deg]37.64' W. long.;
    (40) 33[deg]59.26' N. lat., 118[deg]34.58' W. long.;
    (41) 33[deg]58.07' N. lat., 118[deg]33.36' W. long.;
    (42) 33[deg]53.76' N. lat., 118[deg]30.14' W. long.;
    (43) 33[deg]51.00' N. lat., 118[deg]25.19' W. long.;
    (44) 33[deg]50.07' N. lat., 118[deg]24.07' W. long.;
    (45) 33[deg]50.16' N. lat., 118[deg]23.77' W. long.;
    (46) 33[deg]48.08' N. lat., 118[deg]25.31' W. long.;
    (47) 33[deg]47.07' N. lat., 118[deg]27.07' W. long.;
    (48) 33[deg]46.12' N. lat., 118[deg]26.87' W. long.;
    (49) 33[deg]44.15' N. lat., 118[deg]25.15' W. long.;
    (50) 33[deg]43.54' N. lat., 118[deg]23.02' W. long.;
    (51) 33[deg]41.35' N. lat., 118[deg]18.86' W. long.;
    (52) 33[deg]39.96' N. lat., 118[deg]17.37' W. long.;
    (53) 33[deg]40.12' N. lat., 118[deg]16.33' W. long.;
    (54) 33[deg]39.28' N. lat., 118[deg]16.21' W. long.;
    (55) 33[deg]38.04' N. lat., 118[deg]14.86' W. long.;
    (56) 33[deg]36.57' N. lat., 118[deg]14.67' W. long.;
    (57) 33[deg]34.93' N. lat., 118[deg]10.94' W. long.;
    (58) 33[deg]35.14' N. lat., 118[deg]08.61' W. long.;
    (59) 33[deg]35.69' N. lat., 118[deg]07.68' W. long.;
    (60) 33[deg]36.21' N. lat., 118[deg]07.53' W. long.;
    (61) 33[deg]36.43' N. lat., 118[deg]06.73' W. long.;
    (62) 33[deg]36.05' N. lat., 118[deg]06.15' W. long.;
    (63) 33[deg]36.32' N. lat., 118[deg]03.91' W. long.;
    (64) 33[deg]35.69' N. lat., 118[deg]03.64' W. long.;
    (65) 33[deg]34.62' N. lat., 118[deg]00.04' W. long.;
    (66) 33[deg]34.08' N. lat., 117[deg]57.73' W. long.;
    (67) 33[deg]35.57' N. lat., 117[deg]56.62' W. long.;
    (68) 33[deg]35.46' N. lat., 117[deg]55.99' W. long.;
    (69) 33[deg]35.98' N. lat., 117[deg]55.99' W. long.;
    (70) 33[deg]35.46' N. lat., 117[deg]55.38' W. long.;
    (71) 33[deg]35.21' N. lat., 117[deg]53.46' W. long.;
    (72) 33[deg]33.61' N. lat., 117[deg]50.45' W. long.;
    (73) 33[deg]31.41' N. lat., 117[deg]47.28' W. long.;
    (74) 33[deg]27.54' N. lat., 117[deg]44.36' W. long.;
    (75) 33[deg]26.63' N. lat., 117[deg]43.17' W. long.;
    (76) 33[deg]25.21' N. lat., 117[deg]40.09' W. long.;
    (77) 33[deg]20.33' N. lat., 117[deg]35.99' W. long.;

[[Page 52709]]

    (78) 33[deg]16.35' N. lat., 117[deg]31.51' W. long.;
    (79) 33[deg]11.53' N. lat., 117[deg]26.81' W. long.;
    (80) 33[deg]07.59' N. lat., 117[deg]21.13' W. long.;
    (81) 33[deg]02.21' N. lat., 117[deg]19.05' W. long.;
    (82) 32[deg]56.55' N. lat., 117[deg]17.07' W. long.;
    (83) 32[deg]54.61' N. lat., 117[deg]16.06' W. long.;
    (84) 32[deg]52.32' N. lat., 117[deg]15.97' W. long.;
    (85) 32[deg]51.48' N. lat., 117[deg]16.15' W. long.;
    (86) 32[deg]51.85' N. lat., 117[deg]17.26' W. long.;
    (87) 32[deg]51.55' N. lat., 117[deg]19.01' W. long.;
    (88) 32[deg]49.55' N. lat., 117[deg]19.63' W. long.;
    (89) 32[deg]46.71' N. lat., 117[deg]18.32' W. long.;
    (90) 32[deg]36.35' N. lat., 117[deg]15.68' W. long.; and
    (91) 32[deg]32.85' N. lat., 117[deg]15.44' W. long.
* * * * *
    5. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (19)(e), section (xvi) is added to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (xvi) The 30-fm (55-m) depth contour around the northern Channel 
Islands off the State of California is defined by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]01.41' N. lat., 119[deg]20.61' W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]00.98' N. lat., 119[deg]20.46' W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]00.53' N. lat., 119[deg]20.98' W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]00.17' N. lat., 119[deg]21.83' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]59.65' N. lat., 119[deg]24.45' W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]59.68' N. lat., 119[deg]25.20' W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]59.95' N. lat., 119[deg]26.25' W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]59.87' N. lat., 119[deg]27.27' W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]59.55' N. lat., 119[deg]28.02' W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]58.63' N. lat., 119[deg]36.48' W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]57.62' N. lat., 119[deg]41.13' W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]57.00' N. lat., 119[deg]42.20' W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]56.93' N. lat., 119[deg]48.00' W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]57.70' N. lat., 119[deg]48.00' W. long.;
    (between coordinates (14) and (15), the boundary follows the 
shoreline)
    (15) 33[deg]58.00' N. lat., 119[deg]51.00' W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]58.00' N. lat., 119[deg]52.00' W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]58.54' N. lat., 119[deg]52.80' W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]59.74' N. lat., 119[deg]54.19' W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]59.97' N. lat., 119[deg]54.66' W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]59.83' N. lat., 119[deg]56.00' W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]59.18' N. lat., 119[deg]57.17' W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]57.83' N. lat., 119[deg]56.74' W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]55.71' N. lat., 119[deg]56.89' W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]53.89' N. lat., 119[deg]57.68' W. long.;
    (25) 33[deg]52.93' N. lat., 119[deg]59.80' W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]52.79' N. lat., 120[deg]1.81' W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]52.51' N. lat., 120[deg]03.08' W. long.;
    (28) 33[deg]53.12' N. lat., 120[deg]04.88' W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]53.12' N. lat., 120[deg]05.80' W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]52.94' N. lat., 120[deg]06.50' W. long.;
    (31) 33[deg]53.80' N. lat., 120[deg]06.50' W. long.;
(between coordinates (31) and (32), the boundary follows the shoreline)
    (32) 33[deg]55.00' N. lat., 120[deg]10.00' W. long.;
    (33) 33[deg]54.03' N. lat., 120[deg]10.00' W. long.;
    (34) 33[deg]54.58' N. lat., 120[deg]11.82' W. long.;
    (35) 33[deg]57.08' N. lat., 120[deg]14.58' W. long.;
    (36) 33[deg]59.50' N. lat., 120[deg]16.72' W. long.;
    (37) 33[deg]59.63' N. lat., 120[deg]17.88' W. long.;
    (38) 34[deg]00.30' N. lat., 120[deg]19.14' W. long.;
    (39) 34[deg]00.02' N. lat., 120[deg]19.68' W. long.;
    (40) 34[deg]00.08' N. lat., 120[deg]21.73' W. long.;
    (41) 34[deg]00.94' N. lat., 120[deg]24.82' W. long.;
    (42) 34[deg]00.97' N. lat., 120[deg]25.30' W. long.;
    (43) 34[deg]01.50' N. lat., 120[deg]25.30' W. long.;
(between coordinates (43) and (44), the boundary follows the shoreline)
    (44) 34[deg]01.80' N. lat., 120[deg]26.60' W. long.;
    (45) 34[deg]01.05' N. lat., 120[deg]26.60' W. long.;
    (46) 34[deg]01.11' N. lat., 120[deg]27.43' W. long.;
    (47) 34[deg]00.96' N. lat., 120[deg]28.09' W. long.;
    (48) 34[deg]01.56' N. lat., 120[deg]28.71' W. long.;
    (49) 34[deg]01.80' N. lat., 120[deg]28.31' W. long.;
    (50) 34[deg]03.60' N. lat., 120[deg]28.87' W. long.;
    (51) 34[deg]03.60' N. lat., 120[deg]28.20' W. long.;
    (52) 34[deg]05.35' N. lat., 120[deg]28.20' W. long.;
    (53) 34[deg]05.30' N. lat., 120[deg]27.33' W. long.;
    (54) 34[deg]05.65' N. lat., 120[deg]26.79' W. long.;
    (55) 34[deg]05.69' N. lat., 120[deg]25.82' W. long.;
    (56) 34[deg]07.24' N. lat., 120[deg]24.98' W. long.;
    (57) 34[deg]06.00' N. lat., 120[deg]23.30' W. long.;
    (58) 34[deg]03.10' N. lat., 120[deg]23.30' W. long.;
(between coordinates (58) and (59), the boundary follows the shoreline)
    (59) 34[deg]03.50' N. lat., 120[deg]21.30' W. long.;
    (60) 34[deg]02.90' N. lat., 120[deg]20.20' W. long.;
(between coordinates (60) and (61), the boundary follows the shoreline)
    (61) 34[deg]01.80' N. lat., 120[deg]18.40' W. long.;
    (62) 34[deg]03.61' N. lat., 120[deg]18.40' W. long.;
    (63) 34[deg]03.25' N. lat., 120[deg]16.64' W. long.;
    (64) 34[deg]04.33' N. lat., 120[deg]14.22' W. long.;
    (65) 34[deg]04.11' N. lat., 120[deg]11.17' W. long.;
    (66) 34[deg]03.72' N. lat., 120[deg]09.93' W. long.;
    (67) 34[deg]03.81' N. lat., 120[deg]08.96' W. long.;
    (68) 34[deg]03.36' N. lat., 120[deg]06.52' W. long.;
    (69) 34[deg]04.80' N. lat., 120[deg]04.00' W. long.;
    (70) 34[deg]04.00' N. lat., 120[deg]04.00' W. long.;
    (71) 34[deg]04.00' N. lat., 120[deg]05.20' W. long.;
    (72) 34[deg]01.30' N. lat., 120[deg]05.20' W. long.;
(between coordinates (72) and (73), the boundary follows the shoreline)
    (73) 34[deg]00.50' N. lat., 120[deg]02.80' W. long.;
    (74) 34[deg]00.49' N. lat., 120[deg]01.01' W. long.;
    (75) 34[deg]04.00' N. lat., 120[deg]01.00' W. long.;
    (76) 34[deg]03.99' N. lat., 120[deg]00.15' W. long.;
    (77) 34[deg]03.51' N. lat., 119[deg]59.42' W. long.;
    (78) 34[deg]03.79' N. lat., 119[deg]58.15' W. long.;
    (79) 34[deg]04.72' N. lat., 119[deg]57.61' W. long.;

[[Page 52710]]

    (80) 34[deg]05.14' N. lat., 119[deg]55.17' W. long.;
    (81) 34[deg]04.85' N. lat., 119[deg]53.00' W. long.;
    (82) 34[deg]04.50' N. lat., 119[deg]53.00' W. long.;
(between coordinates (82) and (83), the boundary follows the shoreline)
    (83) 34[deg]04.00' N. lat., 119[deg]51.00' W. long.;
    (84) 34[deg]04.49' N. lat., 119[deg]51.01' W. long.;
    (85) 34[deg]03.79' N. lat., 119[deg]48.86' W. long.;
    (86) 34[deg]03.79' N. lat., 119[deg]45.46' W. long.;
    (87) 34[deg]03.27' N. lat., 119[deg]44.17' W. long.;
    (88) 34[deg]03.29' N. lat., 119[deg]43.30' W. long.;
    (89) 34[deg]01.71' N. lat., 119[deg]40.83' W. long.;
    (90) 34[deg]01.74' N. lat., 119[deg]37.92' W. long.;
    (91) 34[deg]02.07' N. lat., 119[deg]37.17' W. long.;
    (92) 34[deg]02.93' N. lat., 119[deg]36.52' W. long.;
    (93) 34[deg]3.48' N. lat., 119[deg]35.50' W. long.;
    (94) 34[deg]02.94' N. lat., 119[deg]35.50' W. long.;
(between coordinates (94) and (95), the boundary follows the shoreline)
    (95) 34[deg]02.80' N. lat., 119[deg]32.80' W. long.;
    (96) 34[deg]03.56' N. lat., 119[deg]32.80' W. long.;
    (97) 34[deg]02.72' N. lat., 119[deg]31.84' W. long.;
    (98) 34[deg]02.20' N. lat., 119[deg]30.53' W. long.;
    (99) 34[deg]01.49' N. lat., 119[deg]30.20' W. long.;
    (100) 34[deg]00.66' N. lat., 119[deg]28.62' W. long.;
    (101) 34[deg]00.66' N. lat., 119[deg]27.57' W. long.;
    (102) 34[deg]01.40' N. lat., 119[deg]26.94' W. long.;
    (103) 34[deg]01.35' N. lat., 119[deg]26.70' W. long.;
    (104) 34[deg]00.80' N. lat., 119[deg]26.70' W. long.;
(between coordinates (104) and (105), the boundary follows the 
shoreline)
    (105) 34[deg]00.40' N. lat., 119[deg]24.60' W. long.;
(between coordinates (105) and (106), the boundary follows the 
shoreline)
    (106) 34[deg]01.00' N. lat., 119[deg]21.40' W. long.;
    (107) 34[deg]01.49' N. lat., 119[deg]21.40' W. long.; and
    (108) 34[deg]01.41' N. lat., 119[deg]20.61' W. long.
    (xvii) The 30-fm (55-m) depth contour used around southern Channel 
Islands off the State of California is defined by straight lines around 
each island/seamount connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated:
    (A) Santa Catalina Island
    (1) 33[deg]19.13' N. lat., 118[deg]18.04' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]18.32' N. lat., 118[deg]18.20' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]17.82' N. lat., 118[deg]18.73' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]17.54' N. lat., 118[deg]19.52' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]17.99' N. lat., 118[deg]21.71' W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]18.48' N. lat., 118[deg]22.82' W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]18.77' N. lat., 118[deg]26.95' W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]19.69' N. lat., 118[deg]28.87' W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]20.53' N. lat., 118[deg]30.52' W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]20.46' N. lat., 118[deg]31.47' W. long.;
    (11) 33[deg]20.98' N. lat., 118[deg]31.39' W. long.;
    (12) 33[deg]20.81' N. lat., 118[deg]30.49' W. long.;
    (13) 33[deg]21.38' N. lat., 118[deg]30.07' W. long.;
    (14) 33[deg]23.12' N. lat., 118[deg]29.31' W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]24.95' N. lat., 118[deg]29.70' W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]25.39' N. lat., 118[deg]30.50' W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]25.21' N. lat., 118[deg]30.79' W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]25.65' N. lat., 118[deg]31.60' W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]25.65' N. lat., 118[deg]32.04' W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]25.94' N. lat., 118[deg]32.96' W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]25.86' N. lat., 118[deg]33.49' W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]26.06' N. lat., 118[deg]34.12' W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]28.28' N. lat., 118[deg]36.60' W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]28.83' N. lat., 118[deg]36.42' W. long.;
    (25) 33[deg]28.72' N. lat., 118[deg]34.93' W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]28.71' N. lat., 118[deg]33.61' W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]28.81' N. lat., 118[deg]32.95' W. long.;
    (28) 33[deg]28.73' N. lat., 118[deg]32.07' W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]27.55' N. lat., 118[deg]30.14' W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]27.86' N. lat., 118[deg]29.41' W. long.;
    (31) 33[deg]26.98' N. lat., 118[deg]29.06' W. long.;
    (32) 33[deg]26.96'N. lat., 118[deg]28.58' W. long.;
    (33) 33[deg]26.76' N. lat., 118[deg]28.40' W. long.;
    (34) 33[deg]26.52' N. lat., 118[deg]27.66' W. long.;
    (35) 33[deg]26.31' N. lat., 118[deg]27.41' W. long.;
    (36) 33[deg]25.09' N. lat., 118[deg]23.13' W. long.;
    (37) 33[deg]24.80' N. lat., 118[deg]22.86' W. long.;
    (38) 33[deg]24.60' N. lat., 118[deg]22.02' W. long.;
    (39) 33[deg]22.82' N. lat., 118[deg]21.04' W. long.;
    (40) 33[deg]20.23' N. lat., 118[deg]18.45' W. long.; and
    (41) 33[deg]19.13'N. lat., 118[deg]18.04' W. long.
    (B) San Clemente Island
    (1) 33[deg]03.37'N. lat., 118[deg]37.76' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]02.72'N. lat., 118[deg]38.12' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]02.18'N. lat., 118[deg]37.46' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]00.66'N. lat., 118[deg]37.36' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]00.08'N. lat., 118[deg]36.94' W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]00.11'N. lat., 118[deg]36.00' W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]58.02'N. lat., 118[deg]35.41' W. long.;
    (8) 32[deg]56.00'N. lat., 118[deg]33.59' W. long.;
    (9) 32[deg]54.76'N. lat., 118[deg]33.58' W. long.;
    (10) 32[deg]53.97'N. lat., 118[deg]32.45' W. long.;
    (11) 32[deg]51.18'N. lat., 118[deg]30.83' W. long.;
    (12) 32[deg]50.00'N. lat., 118[deg]29.68' W. long.;
    (13) 32[deg]49.72'N. lat., 118[deg]28.33' W. long.;
    (14) 32[deg]47.88'N. lat., 118[deg]26.09' W. long.;
    (15) 32[deg]47.03'N. lat., 118[deg]25.73' W. long.;
    (16) 32[deg]47.28'N. lat., 118[deg]24.83' W. long.;
    (17) 32[deg]48.12'N. lat., 118[deg]24.33' W. long.;
    (18) 32[deg]48.74'N. lat., 118[deg]23.39' W. long.;
    (19) 32[deg]48.69'N. lat., 118[deg]21.75' W. long.;
    (20) 32[deg]49.06'N. lat., 118[deg]20.53' W. long.;
    (21) 32[deg]50.28'N. lat., 118[deg]21.09' W. long.;
    (22) 32[deg]51.73'N. lat., 118[deg]23.86' W. long.;
    (23) 32[deg]52.79'N. lat., 118[deg]25.08' W. long.;
    (24) 32[deg]54.03'N. lat., 118[deg]26.83' W. long.;
    (25) 32[deg]54.07'N. lat., 118[deg]27.55' W. long.;
    (26) 32[deg]55.49'N. lat., 118[deg]29.04' W. long.;

[[Page 52711]]

    (27) 32[deg]59.58'N. lat., 118[deg]32.51' W. long.;
    (28) 32[deg]59.89'N. lat., 118[deg]32.52' W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]00.29'N. lat., 118[deg]32.73' W. long.;
    (30) 33[deg]00.85'N. lat., 118[deg]33.05' W. long.;
    (31) 33[deg]01.07'N. lat., 118[deg]33.64' W. long.;
    (32) 33[deg]02.09'N. lat., 118[deg]35.35' W. long.;
    (33) 33[deg]02.61'N. lat., 118[deg]36.96' W. long.; and
    (34) 33[deg]03.37'N. lat., 118[deg]37.76' W. long.
    * * * * *
    6. On page 11221, in section IV., under B. Limited Entry Fishery, 
Table 4 (South) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
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[[Page 52712]]

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[[Page 52713]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05SE03.002

* * * * *
    7. On page 11225, in section IV., under C. Trip Limits in the Open 
Access Fishery, Table 5 (South) is revised to read as follows:

[[Page 52714]]

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[[Page 52715]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05SE03.004


[[Page 52716]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05SE03.005

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
* * * * *
    8. On page 11227, in section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, 
paragraph (3)(b)(i)(B) is revised and paragraph (3)(b)(i)(C) is added 
to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (b) * * *
    (i) Closed Areas.-* * *
    (B) Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., recreational 
fishing for all groundfish, including lingcod, is prohibited seaward of 
the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour, except that recreational fishing for 
sanddabs is permitted seaward of the 20- fm (37-m) depth contour 
subject to the provisions in paragraph IV.D.(3)(iv).
    (C) South of 34[deg]27' N. lat., recreational fishing for all 
groundfish, including lingcod, is prohibited seaward of a boundary line 
approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts (except in the CCA where 
fishing is prohibited seaward of the 20- fm (37-m) depth contour in 
paragraph (A) of this section), except that recreational fishing for 
sanddabs is permitted seaward of the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour subject 
to the provisions in paragraph IV.D.(3)(iv). Coordinates for the 
boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour are listed 
in sections IV.A.(19)(e)(xv) through (xvii).
* * * * *
    9. On page 11227, in section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, 
paragraph (3)(b)(ii)(A) is revised and the second paragraph 
(3)(b)(ii)(B) is corrected to read (3)(b)(ii)(D) as follows:
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (b) * * *
    (ii) RCG Complex. * * *
    (A) Seasons. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for 
the RCG Complex is open from July 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's 
closed from January 1 through June 30). When recreational fishing for 
the RCG Complex is open, it is permitted only inside the 20-fm (37-m) 
depth contour between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat. and 
inside a boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour 
south of 34[deg]27' N. lat., subject to the bag limits in paragraph (B) 
of this section. Coordinates for the boundary line approximating the 
30-fm (55-m) depth contour are listed in sections IV.A.(19)(e)(xv) 
through (xvii).
* * * * *
    10. On page 11227, in section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, 
paragraphs (3)(b)(iii)(A) and (3)(b)(iv)(A) are revised and the second 
paragraph (3)(b)(iv) is corrected to read (3)(b)(v) and is revised as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (b) * * *
    (iii) California scorpionfish. * * *
    (A) Seasons. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for 
California scorpionfish is closed from March 1 through June 30 (i.e., 
the California scorpionfish season is open during January-February and 
during July-December). When recreational fishing for California 
scorpionfish is open, it is permitted only inside the 20-fm (37-m) 
depth contour between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., 
subject to the bag limits in paragraph (B) of this section. South of 
34[deg]27' N. lat., when recreational fishing for California 
scorpionfish is open, it is permitted only inside a boundary line 
approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour (except at Huntington 
Flats between a line drawn due south from Point Fermin (33[deg]42'30'' 
N. lat.; 118[deg]17'30'' W. long.) and a line drawn due west from the 
Newport South Jetty (33[deg]35'37'' N. lat.; 117[deg]52'50'' W. long.,) 
recreational fishing for California scorpionfish may occur from shore 
to a boundary line approximating 50-fm (91-m) during July-August), 
subject to the bag limits in paragraph (B) of this section. Coordinates 
for the boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour are 
listed in sections IV.A.(19)(e)(xv) through (xvii).
* * * * *
    (iv) Linqcod-(A) Seasons. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational 
fishing for lingcod is open July 1 through December 31. When 
recreational fishing for lingcod is open in the south, it is permitted 
only inside the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour between 40[deg]10' N. lat. 
and 34[deg]27' N. lat. and inside a boundary line approximating the 30-
fm (55-m) depth contour south of 34[deg]27' N. lat., subject to the bag 
limits in paragraph (B) of this section. Coordinates for the boundary 
line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour are listed in 
sections IV.A.(19)(e)(xv) through (xvii).
* * * * *

[[Page 52717]]

    (v) Sanddabs. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for 
sanddabs is permitted both inshore of and within the closed areas, 
(i.e., recreational fishing for sanddabs is permitted in all areas 
south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.). Recreational fishing for sanddabs is 
permitted seaward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour between 40[deg]10' 
N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat. and seaward of a boundary line 
approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour south of 34[deg]27' N. 
lat., subject to a limit of up to 12-hooks, ``Number 2'' or smaller, 
which measure 11 mm (0.44 inches) point to shank, and up to 2 lb (0.91 
kg) of weight per line. There is no bag limit, season, or size limit 
for sanddabs, however, it is prohibited to fillet sanddabs at sea.
* * * * *
    Classification
    These actions are authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and are 
based on the most recent data available. The aggregate data upon which 
these actions are based are available for public inspection at the 
Office of the Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, (see ADDRESSES) 
during business hours.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NMFS, finds good 
cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity 
for public comment on this action pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), 
because providing prior notice and opportunity for comment would be 
impracticable. It would be impracticable because the next cumulative 
trip limit period for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery begins 
September 1, 2003, and affording prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment would delay implementation of this action to after the 
start of the cumulative limit period. The Pacific Coast groundfish 
commercial fishery is managed by trip limits and area closures, most of 
which are based on a 2-month cumulative period (January-February, 
March-April, May-June, July-August, September-October, November- 
December). If this action is not implemented by the beginning of the 
next cumulative trip limit period (September 1, 2003), fishers would be 
unnecessarily restricted from accessing the increased area available to 
fishing in southern California. In addition, data for management in 
both the commercial and recreational fisheries lines up with these 2 
month cumulative periods. If management actions are changed during a 
cumulative limit period, it may complicate analysis of the data by 
making it more difficult to determine how management measures influence 
data results.
    There was not adequate time between when new scientific information 
became available for decision-making and when drafting and reviewing 
the regulatory package, including the environmental analysis, was 
complete for prior notice and opportunity for public comment. The new 
stock assessment for bocaccio, showing an increased biomass and higher 
recruitment than previously predicted, was released in May 2003. This 
new scientific information was then presented to the Pacific Council as 
a tool for decision-making at their June 16-20, 2003 meeting in Foster 
City, CA. While new stock assessments are generally reserved for 
setting the harvest levels for the following annual management cycle, 
2004 in this case, the Pacific Council recommended the new information 
on the status of bocaccio be used for inseason management of the 
fishery in 2003. In 2003, groundfish fisheries coastwide have been 
severely restricted by large areas closed to fishing. The Pacific 
Council, at its June meeting, decided to use the new information on 
bocaccio to provide some relief to the commercial non-trawl and 
recreational fisheries in southern California by moving the boundary 
line from 20-fm (37-m) to 30-fm (55-m) south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. to 
the U.S./Mexico border. Moving the boundary line in this area made 
additional area in the ocean available for fishing. Because this new 
management measure recommended by the Pacific Council had not been 
previously analyzed in an environmental assessment, as required under 
the National Environmental Policy Act to determine potential impacts to 
the environment, an EA/RIR was prepared for this action following the 
June Council meeting. In addition to developing further data for 
analysis for the EA/RIR after the June Council meeting, CDFG had to 
develop coordinates approximating the 30-fm (55-m)depth contour. 
Between the approximately 2 months from the Pacific Council meeting 
decision to implementation of the recommendation, there was a tight 
time schedule to gather further information and complete the EA/RIR and 
regulatory package that did not allow for adequate time for prior 
notice and opportunity for comment.
    Moving the boundary line will relieve restrictions by opening an 
area that was previously closed, thereby providing greater harvest 
opportunities than were previously scheduled for the remainder of the 
year. Thus, they are not subject to a 30-day delay in effectiveness 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide 
prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this correction\1\ 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), because providing prior notice and 
opportunity for comment would be impracticable. It would be 
impracticable because the next cumulative trip limit period for the 
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery begins on September 1, 2003, and 
affording prior notice and opportunity for public comment would result 
in revisions to an RCA boundary in the middle of a cumulative limit 
period. Revising an RCA boundary in the middle of a cumulative limit 
period makes that boundary more difficult to understand for the public 
and for enforcement agents, ultimately impeding the agency's function 
of managing fisheries to approach without exceeding the OYs for 
federally managed species. Because the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery 
is managed by trip limits and area closures, most of which are based on 
a 2-month cumulative period(January-February, March-April, May-June, 
July-August, September-October, November-December), this correction 
should be implemented by the beginning of the next cumulative trip 
limit period (September 1, 2003) to prevent confusion amidst the 
public. The corrections in this rule will allow the groundfish trawl 
fleet to fish in areas that would otherwise be closed. Accordingly, the 
corrections relieve a restriction, and therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(1), this rule is not subject to a 30 day delay in effectiveness. 
These actions are taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.323(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ In addition to the changes described earlier for the 
emergency rule, this action would correct the 200-fm (366-m) depth 
contour coastwide RCA boundary to ensure that the series of 
coordinates describing that contour are better aligned to the actual 
200-fm depth contour. This action would also clarify in the trip 
limit tables that RCA boundaries apply to fishing occurring in 
waters surrounding islands off California, and it would clarify 
which islands and seamounts belong to what island groups referenced 
in the regulations. At present, portions of the 200-fm (366-m) depth 
contour coordinates are more closely aligned with the 300-fm (549-m) 
depth contour, placing an unnecessary restriction on fishery 
participants. The trip limit table clarification is needed to ensure 
that the regulations are better understood by the public, and to 
better protect overfished species as soon as possible. The 
clarification of which islands and seamounts belong to what island 
groups referenced in the regulations is a minor correction to 
existing regulations (essentially a housekeeping change) and has no 
effect on the fisheries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This emergency rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    This emergency rule is exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act because this rule is

[[Page 52718]]

issued without opportunity for prior public notice and comment.

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

    Dated: August 29, 2003.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22669 Filed 9-2-03; 4:58 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S