[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 8, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9707-9708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02529]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 224

[Docket No. 141216999-6999-02]
RIN 0648-XD669


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of 12-Month 
Finding on a Petition To List the Gulf of Mexico Bryde's Whale as 
Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); Reopening of Public 
Comment Period

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: On December 8, 2016, NMFS published a proposed rule to list 
the Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale as an endangered species under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), with comments due by February 6, 
2017. However, in response to a request to extend the public comment 
period, NMFS has decided to reopen the public comment period by an 
additional 15 calendar days.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments on the proposed rule 
published on December 8, 2016 (81 FR 88639) is reopened from February 
8, 2017 to February 23, 2017. NMFS must receive written comments and 
information on or before February 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, information, or data on this 
document, identified by docket number NOAA-NMFS-2014-0157 by any of the 
following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic comments via 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0157, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete 
the required fields, and enter or attach your comments;
     Mail: NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue 
South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701;
     Hand delivery: You may hand deliver written information to 
our office during normal business hours at the street address given 
above.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure they are received, documented, and considered by 
NMFS. 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. 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.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information, or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous). The proposed rule, status review report, and other 
reference materials regarding this determination are available 
electronically at the NMFS Web site at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/brydes_whale/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Engleby or Calusa Horn, NMFS, 
Southeast Regional Office (727) 824-

[[Page 9708]]

5312 or Marta Nammack, NMFS, Office of Protected Resources (301) 427-
8469.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 8, 2016, NMFS published a 12-
month finding and proposed rule in the Federal Register (81 FR 88639) 
proposing to list the Gulf of Mexico Bryde's whale as an endangered 
species under the ESA. On December 20, 2016, we published a document in 
the Federal Register (81 FR 92760) correcting two errors made in the 
proposed rule regarding the scheduled close date of the public comment 
period and the reference number used to identify public comments 
submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking portal. The 
60-day public comment period for the proposed rule ends on February 6, 
2017. On January 25, 2017, representatives of potentially affected 
parties requested an extension of the public comment period to aid in 
their review of the proposed rulemaking. NMFS has considered the 
request and will reopen the comment period for 15 calendar days, from 
February 8, 2017 to February 23, 2017. This reopening provides a total 
of 75 days for public input and continuing Federal agency reviews to 
inform NMFS' final decision. NMFS refers the reader to the December 8, 
2016, proposed rule (81 FR 88639) for background information concerning 
the proposed rulemaking as this notice does not repeat the information.

    Dated: February 2, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-02529 Filed 2-7-17; 8:45 am]
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