[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 156 (Monday, August 14, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 46440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13323]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 224

[Docket No. 040506143-6016-02. I.D. 101205B]
RIN 0648-AS36


Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Proposed Rule to Implement Speed 
Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North 
Atlantic Right Whales; Extension of Public Comment Period

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On June 26, 2006, NMFS proposed regulations to implement speed 
restrictions on vessels 65 ft (19.8 m) or greater in overall length in 
certain locations and at certain times of the year along the east coast 
of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard to reduce the likelihood of deaths and 
serious injuries to endangered North Atlantic right whales that result 
from collisions with ships. NMFS is extending the public comment period 
on the proposed regulations until October 5, 2006.

DATES: Written comments must be received at the appropriate address or 
facsimile (fax) number (see ADDRESSES) no later than 5 p.m. local time 
on October 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Chief, Marine Mammal 
Conservation Division, Attn: Right Whale Ship Strike Strategy, Office 
of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910. Comments may also be sent via email to 
[email protected] or to the Federal eRulemaking portal: 
http://www.regulations.gov (follow instructions for submitting 
comments).
    Comments regarding the burden-hour estimates, or any other aspect 
of the collection of information requirements contained in this notice 
of proposed rulemaking, should also be submitted in writing to the 
Chief, Marine Mammal Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, and 
to David Rostker, OMB, by e-mail at [email protected] or by 
fax to (202) 395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Silber, Ph.D., Fishery 
Biologist, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, at (301) 713-2322 x152.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On June 26, 2006, NMFS published a Proposed Rule to Implement Speed 
Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North 
Atlantic Right Whales (71 FR 36299). That Federal Register notice began 
NMFS' 60-day public comment period ending on August 25, 2006.
    NMFS subsequently received a request by the World Shipping Council 
to extend the public comment period so that its members and the public 
can fully review and provide comments on the proposed rule. Due to the 
size and scope of the proposed rule and accompanying Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement, the World Shipping Council requested 
additional time to complete an independent analysis. Since then, NMFS 
has received other requests to extend the public comment period. In 
this notice NMFS is extending the public comment period until October 
5, 2006, in order to allow adequate time for the World Shipping Council 
and others to thoroughly review and thoughtfully comment on the 
proposed rule.

    Dated: August 8, 2006.
Samuel D. Rauch, III
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13323 Filed 8-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S