[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 141 (Friday, July 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47776-47777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17398]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE662


Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: Nominations are being sought for appointment to a new task 
force of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) to support its 
advisory work for the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource 
matters. The task force will focus on providing information and advice 
on the establishment of long-term goals for salmon and steelhead in the 
Columbia River Basin. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will 
appoint the members in consultation with MAFAC and they will serve for 
a term of up to two (2) years. The terms would begin in December 2016.

DATES: Nominations must be postmarked or have an email date stamp on or 
before September 6, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Katherine Cheney, NMFS West 
Coast Region, 1201 Northeast Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, OR 
97232 or to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katherine Cheney, (503) 231-6730; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MAFAC is the only Federal advisory committee 
with the responsibility to advise the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) 
on all matters concerning living marine resources that are the 
responsibility of the Department of Commerce. MAFAC is establishing a 
Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force to assist it in the development 
of long-term goals for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River 
Basin, which is critical to the mission and goals of the NMFS.

Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force

    This Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force is being created for 
state, tribal and stakeholder input to MAFAC to support development of 
quantitative goals for Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead at the 
species, stock, major population group (MPG), and population levels. 
The goals will be collaboratively developed to meet conservation needs 
while also providing harvest (including those necessary to satisfy 
tribal treaty rights). Shared goals will enhance engagement and 
understanding by providing a concise, common definition of success, 
consistent means to measure progress, and improved public support for 
work across the Columbia River Basin.
    The scope of the Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force will fall 
within the objectives and scope of the MAFAC; is more comprehensive 
than any prior goal-setting effort in the Basin; and will encompass:
     All Endangered Species Act-listed and non-listed salmon 
and steelhead in the Columbia Basin, above and below Bonneville Dam.
     Ocean, mainstem, and tributary fisheries that harvest 
Columbia Basin stocks, including commercial, recreational, and tribal 
fisheries.
     Multiple geographic scales (Basin-wide, species, and major 
population group).
     All impacts across the salmon and steelhead life-cycle 
(e.g., habitat, hatchery, hydro, and harvest).
     Consideration of ecological conditions and of current and 
future habitat capacity.
    The Task Force will report to MAFAC and will not provide advice or 
work product directly to NMFS. Recommendations generated by this Task 
Force's efforts will not result in any regulatory decision, obligate 
any party to undertake certain activities, or diminish treaty/trust 
obligations. The input of the Task Force will support efforts that seek 
common solutions that work for all sovereigns and stakeholders. The 
strength of the Task Force will hinge on the breadth of regional 
participation, collaboration, and commitment.
    This Task Force will consist of 25-35 individuals who have 
demonstrated subject matter expertise regarding salmon and steelhead 
biology and management in the Columbia River Basin, as well as the 
interest and ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with 
other sovereigns and stakeholders

[[Page 47777]]

to find solutions. Individuals should represent the geographic 
diversity of the Columbia River Basin, as well as the diversity of 
interests including state and tribal fish managers; NGO/environmental 
interests; commercial fishing interests; recreational fishing 
interests; utility interests; river industry interests; agricultural/
irrigation interests; and local watershed or recovery planning 
interests. At least one member of MAFAC will serve as a member of the 
Task Force.
    It is intended that the Task Force be established for an initial 
period of two (2) years with a possibility of extending that term if 
deemed necessary by NMFS and MAFAC. Task Force members should be able 
to fulfill the time commitments required for quarterly meetings (mostly 
by webinar or teleconference and potentially in-person). Members of the 
Task Force are not compensated for their services, but will upon 
request be allowed to travel and per diem expenses as authorized by 5 
U.S.C. 5701 et seq.

Nomination Materials

    Each nomination submission must include: resume or curriculum vitae 
of the nominee and a cover letter, not to exceed 3 pages, that 
describes the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the 
Task Force and how the nominee meets the following criteria:
     Is able to broadly represent his or her interests and 
constituency that he/she affiliates with as they are affected by salmon 
and steelhead management in the Columbia River Basin.
     Has organizational and/or subject matter expertise 
regarding salmon and steelhead management in the Columbia River Basin.
     Has demonstrated a willingness and ability to work 
collaboratively and respectfully with other stakeholders to find 
solutions.
     Contributes to representation of the geographic diversity 
of the Columbia River Basin.
    Self-nominations are acceptable. The following contact information 
should accompany each nominee's submission: full name, address, 
telephone number, fax number, and email address. Nominations should be 
sent to (see ADDRESSES) and must be received by September 6, 2016. 
Information about MAFAC, its Committee Charter, current membership, and 
activities can be viewed on the NMFS' Web page at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mafac.htm.

    Dated: July 19, 2016.
Jennifer Lukens,
Director, Office of Policy, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-17398 Filed 7-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P