[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 16, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28294-28295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7430]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 223

[I.D. 031006D]


Endangered and Threatened Species: Notice of Public Hearing on 
Proposed Listing Determination for Puget Sound Steelhead

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

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: On March 29, 2006, we (NMFS) proposed to list steelhead 
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) populations in Puget Sound (Washington) as 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In this notice we 
are announcing a public hearing to be held in Seattle (Washington) on 
June 22, 2006, regarding the subject proposal.

DATES: Written comments on the proposed listing determination must be 
received by June 27, 2006. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the public 
meeting time and location.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed listing 
determination for Puget Sound steelhead by any of the following 
methods. Please identify submittals as pertaining to the ``Puget Sound 
Steelhead Proposed Listing.''
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Puget Sound 
Steelhead Proposed Listing'' in the subject line of the message.
     Internet: Comments may also be submitted electronically 
through the Federal e-Rulemaking portal at: http://www.regulations.gov.
     Mail: Submit written comments and information to Chief, 
NMFS, Protected Resources Division, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 
1100, Portland, OR 97232. You may hand-deliver written comments to our 
office during normal business hours at the street address given above.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: NMFS, Protected Resources 1201 NE 
Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232.
     Fax: 503-230-5441

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the 
public meeting is available on the Internet at: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov. Alternatively, you may contact Dr. Scott Rumsey, 
NMFS, Northwest Region, (503) 872-2791, or Marta Nammack, NMFS, Office 
of Protected Resources, (301) 713-1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 29, 2006, we published a proposed threatened determination 
for Puget Sound steelhead (71 FR 15666). Joint Commerce-Interior ESA 
implementing regulations state that the Secretary shall promptly hold 
at least one public hearing if any person requests one within 45 days 
of publication of a proposed regulation to list a species or to 
designate critical habitat (see 50 CFR 424.16(c)(3)). In this notice we 
are announcing a public meeting regarding the Puget Sound steelhead 
proposed threatened listing to be held in Seattle (Washington) on June 
22, 2006.
    This public meeting is not the only opportunity for the public to 
provide input on this proposal. As part of the proposed threatened 
listing for Puget

[[Page 28295]]

Sound steelhead, we announced a public comment period extending through 
June 27, 2006. The public and stakeholders are encouraged to continue 
to comment and provide additional information on the proposals (see 
ADDRESSES, above) up until the close of the comment period.

Meeting Format

    In our recent updated ESA listing determinations for West Coast 
salmon and steelhead (70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005; and 71 FR 834, 
January 5, 2006), we employed a new ``open house'' approach to 
conducting public hearings. This new approach proved successful in 
allowing all interested members of the public to more effectively 
engage in the rulemaking process. We will be employing the open house 
format, described further below, for the Puget Sound steelhead public 
meeting in Seattle on June 22, 2006.
    The open house format provides the general public with an 
opportunity to meet with NMFS staff in small groups on specific topics 
in order to learn more about the proposal and its possible impacts on 
their communities. This evening meeting will also provide any 
interested individuals with the opportunity to make formal recorded 
comments on the proposal. In addition, blank ``comment sheets'' will be 
provided at the evening meeting for those without prepared written 
comments. The preferred means of providing public comment for the 
official record, however, is via written testimony.
    The meeting will be held in the evening from 6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m. 
For those who are interested, there will be a brief introductory 
presentation at 6:30 p.m. regarding the Puget Sound steelhead proposal 
and the ESA rulemaking process. After the introductory remarks, 
attendees can move freely from ``station'' to ``station'' to discuss 
items of particular interest with knowledgeable NMFS staff. We believe 
that this format is respectful of the public's valuable time, allowing 
busy community members to participate without necessarily attending the 
entire evening. There is no need to register; just drop in anytime 
during the course of the evening event.

Meeting Time & Location

    The public meeting regarding the Puget Sound steelhead proposed 
threatened listing will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., June 22, 
2006, at the Radisson Hotel (SeaTac Airport), 18118 International 
Blvd., Seattle WA 98188. Directions to the meeting location can be 
obtained on the Internet at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov.

References

    Copies of the Federal Register notices and related materials cited 
in this document are available on the Internet at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov or upon request (see ADDRESSES section above).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: May 10, 2006.
Angela Somma,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-7430 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am]
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