[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 226 (Monday, November 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 65888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E3-00368]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111803C]


Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will 
convene a public meeting of the Texas Habitat Protection Advisory Panel 
(AP).

DATES: The AP meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on December 9, 
2003 and will conclude by 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hobby Airport Hilton, 8181 
Airport Boulevard, Houston, TX 77061; telephone: 713-645-3000.
    Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 
U.S. Highway 301 North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Richard Leard, Senior Fishery 
Biologist, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: 813-
228-2815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At this meeting, the Texas Habitat 
Protection AP will tentatively discuss the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS) Bahia Grande restoration project, the Sabine-Neches 
waterway deepening project, the mouth of the Colorado River project, 
the possible reopening of Parker's Cut, current freshwater inflow 
issues in Texas, beneficial uses of dredged material in Galveston Bay, 
and information on the Harte Research Institute.
    Although other issues not on the agenda may come before the panel 
for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, those issues may not be the subject of 
formal panel action during this meeting. Panel action will be 
restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agenda listed 
as available by this notice.
    The AP is composed of persons from recreational and commercial 
fishing groups, conservation organizations, academia, and state and 
federal resource agencies.
    The Texas Habitat Protection AP's principal role is to assist the 
Council in attempting to maintain optimum conditions within the habitat 
and ecosystems supporting the marine resources of the Gulf of Mexico. 
The Texas Habitat Protection AP serves as a first alert system to call 
to the Council's attention proposed projects being developed and other 
activities that may adversely impact the Gulf marine fisheries and 
their supporting ecosystems. The AP may also provide advice to the 
Council on its policies and procedures for addressing environmental 
affairs.
    Copies of the agenda can be obtained by calling 813-228-2815.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Anne Alford at the Council (see ADDRESSES) by 
December 2, 2003.

    Dated: November 19, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E3-00368 Filed 11-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P