[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 64186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25094]



[[Page 64186]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB541]


Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
Provisions; Northeast Skate Complex; Withdrawal of the Notice of Intent 
To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 5

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

ACTION: Notice of withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council initiated 
development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery 
Management Plan in 2016. A notice of intent to develop an environmental 
impact statement for this action was published in January 2017, 
followed by a second notice and round of scoping in late December 2020. 
However, in September 2021, the Council voted to discontinue work on 
Amendment 5 and pursue the remaining alternatives through newly 
initiated Framework Adjustment 9. The remaining alternatives in this 
framework are largely administrative and not expected to have 
significant impacts on the fishery or human environment. Therefore, 
NMFS is withdrawing the notice of intent and no longer intends to 
prepare an environmental impact statement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Ferrio, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, (978) 281-9180.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2016, the New England Fishery Management 
Council initiated development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate 
Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to consider limited access in the 
skate fishery. The Council published a notice of intent (NOI) to 
develop an environmental impact statement (EIS) for this amendment, in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, to analyze the 
impacts of any proposed management measures (82 FR 825; January 4, 
2017). Throughout this initial development and scoping process, the 
range of proposed alternatives changed. A second NOI was published (85 
FR 84304; December 28, 2020), and additional scoping hearings were held 
in 2021.
    The comments received throughout the development process during 
both rounds of scoping hearings, and at multiple Skate Advisory Panel, 
Skate Committee, and Council meetings, were mixed in support of, and 
opposition to, limiting access to the skate fishery. Ultimately, after 
careful consideration of the public comments received and extensive 
examination of the alternatives analyzed, the Council voted to no 
longer develop limited access alternatives in Amendment 5 at its April 
2021 meeting. Further, at its meeting in September 2021, the Council 
voted to discontinue work on Amendment 5 completely and to pursue the 
remaining alternatives addressing changes to permit provisions and 
clarifying the FMP goals and objectives through the newly initiated 
Framework Adjustment 9. Framework 9 is expected to be implemented in 
mid-2022.
    These remaining alternatives that will be considered in Framework 9 
are largely administrative and are not expected to have significant 
impacts on the fishery or affected environment. Consequently, the 
Council and NMFS have determined that it is not necessary to prepare an 
EIS for Framework 9 and will instead continue development of the 
remaining framework alternatives with an appropriate NEPA document. 
Therefore, NMFS is informing the public that work on Amendment 5 is 
complete, and that we are withdrawing the NOI and draft EIS from 
further consideration.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25094 Filed 11-16-21; 8:45 am]
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