[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 3700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1046]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE88


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery, Shrimp Fishery, Sargassum, Dolphin/
Wahoo, Spiny Lobster, Golden Crab; and Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/
Hard Bottom Habitat off the Southern Atlantic States; Comprehensive 
Amendment

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 impacts on the natural and human 
environment of management measures proposed in its draft Comprehensive 
Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the Coastal 
Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 
Region; and the Snapper-Grouper Fishery, Shrimp Fishery, Sargassum, 
Dolphin/Wahoo, Spiny Lobster, Golden Crab, and Coral, Coral Reefs, and 
Live/Hard Bottom Habitat in the South Atlantic Region to address 
allocations.

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.

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: Fisheries of the South Atlantic region in 
the exclusive economic zone are managed under their respective FMPs. 
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires 
the Councils to establish annual catch limits (ACLs) that will limit 
harvest and prevent overfishing. To establish sector specific ACLs, the 
Council would need to allocate the total allowable catch between 
recreational and commercial sectors. In addition, the Council could 
consider a separate allocation for the for-hire sector such that there 
could be three sectors with allocations: commercial; for-hire 
(charters, headboats and guides); and private recreational.
    This NOI is intended to inform the public of the preparation of a 
DEIS in support of a Comprehensive Amendment to the Council's FMPs to 
address allocations. Options suggested thus far for determining sector 
allocations include: use of historical landings; examination of 
relative catches by each sector and projection of future demand; and 
detailed social and economic analyses.
    Following consideration of public scoping comments, the Council 
plans to begin preparation of the draft Comprehensive Allocation 
Amendment/DEIS in March 2008. The Council and its Scientific and 
Statistical Committee will review the draft Comprehensive Allocation 
Amendment/DEIS in 2008. If the Council approves the document, public 
review will take place in November 2008.
    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 the Comprehensive 
Amendment, 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. E8-1046 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S