[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 226 (Monday, November 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 65889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E3-00385]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 111703F]


New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is 
scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat Committee in December, 2003 
to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to 
the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

DATES: The meeting will be held on December 8, 2003, at 9:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Village Inn, One Beach 
Street, Narragansett, RI 02882; telephone: (401) 783-6767. Council 
address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 
2, Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone: (978) 465-0492.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council. Requests for special 
accommodations should be addressed to the New England Fishery 
Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950, 
telephone: (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Habitat Oversight Committee will discuss 
the upcoming Omnibus Habitat Amendment including, but not limited to, 
the review of the Draft Timeline, Draft Notice of Intent, Draft Request 
for Proposals for Habitat Areas of Particular Concern and Dedicated 
Habitat Research Areas, and inclusion of the Draft Habitat Advisory 
Panel Process.
    The meeting will also include a recap of Council decisions in 
Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) 
and Amendment 13 to the Multispecies FMP. In addition, the Committee 
will be updated on the status of the American Oceans Campaign v. Daley 
lawsuit settlement agreement requirements and any NMFS Essential Fish 
Habitat Consultations of particular interest to the Council. The 
Committee will also be updated on recent Marine Protected Area (MPA) 
work by the formerly separate MPA Committee. The timeline for 
development of a Council policy on MPAs will be developed. Possible 
closed session for the discussion and selection of habitat advisory 
panel.
    Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come 
before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject 
of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to 
those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising 
after publication of this notice that require emergency action under 
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has 
been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address 
the emergency.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Paul J. Howard (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 days 
prior to the meeting date.

    Dated: November 18, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E3-00385 Filed 11-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P