[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 233 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 64049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29065]



[[Page 64049]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR75


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Essential Fish 
Habitat (EFH) Components of Fishery Management Plans (Northeast 
Multispecies, Atlantic Sea Scallop, Monkfish, Atlantic Herring, Skates, 
Atlantic Salmon, and Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab) 5-year Review

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

ACTION:  Supplemental notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS); comment period reopened.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS is reopening the public comment period for the 
supplemental NOI to prepare an EIS for the Omnibus Habitat Amendment 
that was published on October 5, 2009. This is necessary because some 
comments that were submitted via e-mail may not have been delivered 
properly. This notice reopens the comment period to ensure all 
interested parties' comments are received and addressed correctly.

DATES:  Written comments must be received on or before 5 p.m. e.s.t., 
December 21, 2009.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Mail: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England 
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950.
     Fax: (978) 465-3116.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, 
New England Fishery Management Council (978) 465-0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 5, 2009, the New England Fishery 
Management Council (Council) announced that it is in the process of 
preparing a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and 
Omnibus Amendment to the fishery management plans for Northeast 
multispecies, Atlantic sea scallop, monkfish, Atlantic herring, skates, 
Atlantic salmon, and Atlantic deep-sea red crab (74 FR 51126). This NOI 
proposed that the Council would prepare one final EIS that incorporates 
all topics considered in the development of the Omnibus Amendment, 
rather than preparing a final Phase 1 EIS prior to completing work on 
Phase 2 topics. During that scoping period, the Council sought comments 
on its intent to not complete a Phase 1 Final EIS, as well as comments 
on any new scientific information identified since the 2004 scoping 
period that is pertinent to the development of the Omnibus Amendment.
    The comment period for that NOI closed on November 4, 2009. Since 
that time it has come to the Council's attention that comments 
submitted via e-mail may not have been delivered. This problem did not 
impact written comments submitted through the mail or by fax.
    However, the Council has decided to reopen the comment period and 
encourages individuals that submitted information through e-mail to 
resubmit their comments. For additional information regarding this 
action, please consult the prior NOI cited above.

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

    Dated: December 2, 2009.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29065 Filed 12-04-09; 8:45 am]
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