[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30261-30262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12368]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XT12


Petition To List 83 Species of Coral as Threatened or Endangered 
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

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

ACTION: Notice of details of public listening sessions and scientific 
workshops.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announced in an April 17, 2012, Federal Register 
notice, public listening sessions and science workshops related to our 
status review of 82 coral species in response to a petition from the 
Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) to list 83 coral species as 
threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The 
purposes of the listening sessions are to

[[Page 30262]]

explain to the public the process and information we are using to 
decide whether listing one or more of the 82 corals species is 
warranted, and to allow opportunity for the public to provide us with 
additional information that may further inform that decision. The 
purpose of the science workshops is to provide the opportunity for 
additional individual expert advice and public input on the science 
relevant to our decision concerning the 82 species of coral being 
considered for listing under the ESA.

DATES: The public listening sessions and science workshops will be held 
in June 2012. For specific dates and times, see SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: A public listening session and a science workshop will be 
held in Hawaii, and another public listening session and another 
science workshop will be held in Florida. For specific locations, see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. You may obtain a copy of the Status Review 
Report of 82 Candidate Coral Species Petitioned Under the U.S. 
Endangered Species Act (Status Review Report) and the draft Management 
Report for 82 Corals Status Review under the Endangered Species Act: 
Assessment of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms and Conservation Efforts 
(draft Management Report) by visiting the Internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/4_13_12corals_petition.html.
    The two reports may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular 
business hours, at: NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601 
Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI, 96814; or NMFS, Southeast 
Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For listening sessions: Chelsey Young, 
NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-944-2137; Lance Smith, NMFS, 
Pacific Island Regional Office, 808-944-2258; Jennifer Moore, NMFS, 
Southeast Regional Office, 727-824-5312. For science workshops: Samuel 
Pooley, NMFS, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 808-983-5301; 
Margaret Miller, NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 305-361-
4561.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    These public listening sessions and science workshops are not part 
of the usual rulemaking process and are unique to NMFS's response to 
the petition to list 83 coral species. Thus, the additional outreach 
conducted in this case does not establish precedent for any other ESA-
listing process.
    We will hold one public listening session and one science workshop 
in each of two NMFS regions: the Southeast and Pacific Islands.

Speaker Sign Up

    Doors will open for speaker registration one hour before the 
listening sessions and science workshops begin, though sign-up will 
continue throughout these meetings. If there are more speakers signed 
up than time allows for, we will select speakers from the registration 
list randomly. Registered speakers will be asked to indicate their full 
name, contact information, any organization(s) they are representing, 
and a brief summary of the information provided. Because it is possible 
that the schedule may not accommodate all registered speakers, we also 
encourage attendees to submit written information at the listening 
sessions and science workshops.

Listening Sessions

    June 25, 2012: 6-9 p.m.; Pagoda Hotel; 1525 Rycroft Street; 
Honolulu, HI; telephone: (808) 941-6611.
    June 28, 2012: 4-7 p.m.; Nova Southeastern University, 
Oceanographic Center, Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystems 
Science, 8000 North Ocean Drive; Dania Beach, FL; telephone: (954) 262-
3600.
    NMFS staff will provide a moderator for meeting management. Note-
takers will document the listening sessions, and audio recordings will 
be used to assist in clarifying speaker information for the final 
record.
    NMFS staff will provide a brief PowerPoint presentation that will 
cover the ESA status review process, the Status Review Report, and the 
draft Management Report. There will then be an interactive, time-
limited, question-and-answer period during which attendees may ask NMFS 
staff about information presented. Finally, registered speakers will be 
provided with an opportunity to speak and provide information. Each 
registered speaker will be limited to 5 minutes. Attendees may also 
submit written information.

Science Workshops

    June 18, 2012: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; East-West Center; Jefferson 
Hall (Imin Conference Center), University of Hawaii campus, 1601 East-
West Road, Honolulu, HI; telephone: (808) 983-5303.
    June 27, 2012: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Nova Southeastern University, 
Oceanographic Center, Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystems 
Science, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL; telephone: (954) 262-
3600.

Science Workshop Topics

    The science workshops in the Pacific Islands (HI) and Southeast 
(FL) regions will follow a similar format. Each will begin with a brief 
presentation on the Status Review Report, followed by sessions that 
expand specific elements of the Status Review Report. The science 
workshops will focus on two themes: ``Climate Change and Climate 
Impacts on Coral Reef Ecosystems,'' and ``Coral Reef Ecology and 
Adaptation.'' The Pacific Islands science workshop will include two 
Panel sessions, and the Southeast science workshop will include three 
sessions.

Speaker Time Limits and Opportunities for Public Input

    After the presentation on the Status Review Report, there will be 
an interactive, time-limited, question-and-answer period during which 
attendees may ask NMFS staff about information presented.
    After each thematic session, there will be a 45- to 60-minute 
period during which registered speakers will be given an opportunity to 
ask additional questions of the panelists or to present additional 
information.
    During registration, speakers should sign up to speak under one or 
more thematic sessions. Each registered speaker will be limited to 5 
minutes. Attendees may also submit written information.

Questions

    Questions to panelists should be limited to those necessary to 
clarify the panelist's presentation. Questions seeking consensus among 
panelists or registered speakers will not be entertained.

Workshop Rapporteur

    NOAA scientific experts knowledgeable of coral reef ecosystems and 
climate will prepare a summary of the workshop, noting the main points 
raised by the panelists and the registered speakers. This summary and 
any written information submitted by the panelists, registered 
speakers, or other attendees will be part of the record of the 
workshop.

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

    Dated: May 16, 2012.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-12368 Filed 5-21-12; 8:45 am]
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