[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 49700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19940]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

15 CFR Part 922

[Docket No. 130403324-3376-01]
RIN 0648-BC94


Boundary Expansion of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On June 14, 2013, NOAA published a proposed rule in the 
Federal Register to revise the regulations for the boundary of the 
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (78 FR 35776). This notice 
reopens the public comment period stated in that proposed rule until 
October 18, 2013.

DATES: NOAA will accept public comments on the proposed rule published 
at 78 FR 35776 (June 14, 2013) through October 18, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NOS-2012-0077, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2012-0077, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Thunder Bay National 
Marine Sanctuary, 500 W. Fletcher, Alpena, Michigan 49707, Attn: Jeff 
Gray, Superintendent.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Gray, Superintendent, Thunder Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary at 989-356-8805 ext. 12 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 14, 2013, NOAA published a proposed 
rule in the Federal Register to revise the regulations for the boundary 
of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (78 FR 35776). An 
accompanying draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) was also 
published (78 FR 35928). Public comments on the proposed rule and DEIS 
were solicited. Three public meetings on the proposed action were held 
on July 15-17, 2013 in Michigan. While the proposed action has received 
considerable support, several commenters have raised concerns regarding 
the applicability of U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. EPA regulations 
governing discharge of ballast water to the proposed expanded area.
    While the public is free to comment on any issue related to the 
proposed action, NOAA is particularly interested in receiving input on 
the following topics:
    1. Please explain current ballast management practices. Identify, 
with specificity, all areas where ballast management occurs and under 
what circumstances.
    2. Please explain how the proposed boundary expansion is expected 
to impact existing ballast management practices.

    Dated: August 12, 2013.
Daniel J. Basta,
Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
[FR Doc. 2013-19940 Filed 8-14-13; 8:45 am]
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