[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 55191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22110]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC008


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans

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

ACTION: Notice; reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, published a notice on May 16, 2012, announcing that 
the Proposed Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan for Lower 
Columbia River Chinook Salmon, Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon, 
Columbia River Chum Salmon, and Lower Columbia River Steelhead 
(Proposed Plan) was available for public review and comment. Comments 
were due by July 16, 2012. We have decided to reopen the public comment 
period for an additional 30 days.

DATES: We will consider and address, as appropriate, all substantive 
comments received during this reopened comment period. Comments 
received during the previous comment period will also be considered and 
need not be resubmitted. New comments must be received no later than 5 
p.m. Pacific daylight time on October 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments and materials to Dr. Scott 
Rumsey, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, 
Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232. Comments may also be submitted by email 
to: [email protected]. Please include ``Comments on 
Lower Columbia Recovery Plan'' in the subject line of the email. 
Comments may be submitted via facsimile (fax) to (503) 230-5441. 
Electronic copies of the Proposed Plan are available on the NMFS Web 
site at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/Willamette-Lower-Columbia/LC/Plan.cfm. Persons wishing to 
obtain an electronic copy on CD ROM of the Proposed Plan may do so by 
calling Kelly Gallivan at (503) 736-4721 or by emailing a request to 
[email protected] with the subject line ``CD ROM Request for 
Lower Columbia Recovery Plan.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Scott Rumsey, Salmon Recovery 
Branch Chief, Protected Resources Division, at (503) 872-2791, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 16, 2012, we published a notice announcing that the Proposed 
Plan was available for public review and comment (77 FR 28855). 
Comments were due by July 16, 2012. On June 22, 2012, we received a 
letter from the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (Council) 
requesting an extension of the public comment period. The Council noted 
that the comment period precluded the opportunity for their advisory 
bodies and staff to review the Proposed Plan and develop comments for 
approval at the September 2012 Council meeting. The Council is a valued 
partner in planning and implementing recovery for West Coast salmon and 
steelhead. To afford the Council sufficient opportunity to review the 
Proposed Plan and provide comments through their typical processes, we 
are reopening the comment period for 30 days. New comments will be due 
by October 9, 2012.
    For background information on the development, content, and 
expected use of the Plan, please refer to the original notice of 
availability for public comment (77 FR 28855; May 16, 2012) or our Web 
site at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-Planning/Recovery-Domains/Willamette-Lower-Columbia/LC/Plan.cfm.

Public Comments Solicited

    We are soliciting written comments on the Proposed Plan. All 
substantive comments received by the date specified above will be 
considered and incorporated, as appropriate, prior to our decision 
whether to approve the plan. We will issue a news release announcing 
the adoption and availability of a final plan. We will post on the 
Northwest Region Web site (www.nwr.noaa.gov) a summary of, and 
responses to, the comments received, along with electronic copies of 
the final plan and its appendices.

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

    Dated: September 4, 2012.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22110 Filed 9-6-12; 8:45 am]
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