[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3701-3702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1045]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE87


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 18

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

ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft environmental impact 
statement (DEIS); notice of scoping meetings; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) 
intends to prepare a DEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and 
human environment of the management measures proposed in its draft 
Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper 
Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP).

DATES: Written comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in 
the DEIS will be accepted until February 22, 2008, at 5 p.m.

[[Page 3702]]


ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by any of the following methods, mail: 
Kate Michie, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, 
St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone: 727-824-5305; fax: 727-824-5308; e-
mail: [email protected]. Scoping documents are available from the 
Council's Web site at www.safmc.net.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information 
Officer, South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, 4055 Faber Place 
Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: 843-571-4366, toll 
free 1-866-SAFMC-10; fax: 843-769-4520; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic region in the exclusive economic zone is managed under the 
FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and implemented by NMFS under 
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. Of the 98 species 
managed by the Council, 73 of these are included in the snapper-grouper 
management complex.
    The mixed species nature of this fishery poses a significant 
management challenge. Initially, FMP regulations consisted of minimum 
sizes, gear restrictions, and a provision for the designation of 
special management zones. To address overcapitalization in the fishery, 
the Council established a permit program to limit effort. However, 
recent ecological occurrences and regulatory requirements have 
decreased the ability for fishermen to maintain profitability in the 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. Management options that enable 
a reduction in fleet size are expected to increase total fleet 
profitability compared to the status quo. The Council is considering 
use of a limited access privilege (LAP) program and other management 
tools for the South Atlantic commercial snapper-grouper fishery.
    In December 2006, the Council passed a motion to consider 
application of a LAP program for the South Atlantic commercial snapper-
grouper fishery in Amendment 18. The LAP Committee met January 23-24, 
2007 to draft goals and objectives for a possible LAP program, discuss 
the membership and structure of a LAP Exploratory Workgroup, and 
develop an action plan that would outline how the Council should 
explore use of a LAP program for this fishery. In 2007, the Limited 
Access Program Exploratory Workgroup was tasked with developing a 
potential plan for using a LAP program in the commercial snapper-
grouper fishery. The group has met several times and has considered a 
LAP program as well as other programs that look to reduce capacity in 
the fishery.
    This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a 
DEIS in support of Amendment 18 to the FMP. The DEIS will evaluate 
measures to reduce capacity in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
fishery. Following publication of this NOI, the Council will conduct 
public scoping meetings to determine the range of issues to be 
addressed in the DEIS and the associated Amendment 18.
    Following consideration of public scoping comments, the Council 
plans to begin preparation of the draft Snapper-Grouper Amendment 18/
DEIS. The Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee will 
review the draft Snapper-Grouper Amendment 18/DEIS in 2008. If the 
Council approves the document, public review will take place in late 
2008. A comment period on the DEIS is planned, which will include 
public hearings to receive comments. A Federal Register notice will 
announce the availability of the DEIS associated with this amendment, 
as well as a 45-day public comment period, pursuant to regulations 
issued by the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the 
National Environmental Policy Act and to NOAA's Administrative Order 
216-6. The Council will consider public comments received on the DEIS 
in developing the final environmental impact statement (FEIS), and 
before voting to submit the final amendment to NMFS for Secretarial 
review, approval, and implementation. NMFS will announce in the Federal 
Register the availability of the final amendment and FEIS for public 
review during the Secretarial review period, and will consider all 
public comments prior to final agency action to approve, disapprove, or 
partially approve the final amendment.

Scoping Meetings, Times, and Locations

    All meetings will begin at 2 p.m. In addition to Amendment 18, the 
Council intends to scope three other amendments at this series of 
meetings. Separate NOIs have been prepared for each amendment. The 
meetings will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for information packets or for sign language interpretation or 
other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council (see ADDRESSES).
    Monday, February 4, 2008--The Mutiny Hotel, 2951 South Bayshore 
Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133; phone: 305-441-2100.
    Tuesday, February 5, 2008--Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701, 
Astronaut Boulevard, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920; phone: 321-784-0000.
    Wednesday, February 6, 2008--Quality Inn, 125 Venure Drive, 
Brunswick, GA 31525; phone: 912-265-4600.
    Thursday, February 7, 2008--Sheraton New Bern, 100 Middle Street, 
New Bern, NC 28560; phone: 252-638-3585.
    Wednesday, February 20, 2008--Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International 
Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843-308-9331.

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

    Dated: January 16, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1045 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S