[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 49915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21547]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG261


U.S. Purse Seine Fishery in the Western and Central Pacific 
Ocean; Extension of Public Scoping Period

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

ACTION: Notice; extension of public comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On August 23, 2018, NMFS published a notice of intent (NOI) in 
the Federal Register to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) 
for the U.S. western and central Pacific Ocean purse seine fishery. The 
public scoping period on the NOI was originally scheduled to end on 
October 8, 2018. NMFS is extending the public scoping period and will 
accept comments until October 31, 2018.

DATES: Written comments on the scope and alternatives to be considered 
in an EIS, as described in the notice of intent (83 FR 42640; August 
23, 2018), must be submitted no later than October 31, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the scope of this EIS by either 
of the following methods:
     Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0062,
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, 
and
    3. Enter or attach your comments.

--OR--

     Mail: Submit written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), 
1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period 
might not be considered by NMFS. 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 and address), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information 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).
    Copies of this document can be obtained from Michael D. Tosatto, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS PIRO (see address above) and are available 
at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0062.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David O'Brien, NMFS PIRO, at 
[email protected], or at (808)725-5038.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 23, 2018, NMFS published a NOI to 
prepare an EIS for the U.S. western and central Pacific Ocean purse 
seine fishery in the Federal Register (83 FR 42640). The public scoping 
period on the NOI was originally scheduled to end on October 8, 2018. 
NMFS has received several requests for additional time to provide 
comments. In an effort to balance the need to move forward on the EIS 
process in an efficient manner and the need to encourage thorough 
public participation in this scoping process, NMFS will extend the 
public comment period to October 31, 2018. This brings the public 
scoping period to a total of 68 days. All other information contained 
in the document published August 23, 2018 has not been changed.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.

    Dated: September 28, 2018.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21547 Filed 10-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P