[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 4565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01694]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB266]


Pacific Island Fisheries; Garapan Fishing Base Shoreline 
Revetment

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft environmental assessment; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of a draft environmental 
assessment (EA) evaluating the potential effects of constructing a rock 
revetment along Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Garapan Fishing Base supports 
sustainable fishing infrastructure including a boat ramp, trailer 
parking, and other community activities such as shore fishing, 
community markets and recreation. Stabilizing the shoreline would 
protect public land and infrastructure and reduce erosion resulting in 
improved water quality in Saipan Lagoon along shore.

DATES: NMFS must receive comments by February 28, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-0132, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-0132, in the Search box. Click on 
the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach 
your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, 
Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), 
1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 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, 
may 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, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis Ha, NMFS PIRO, Sustainable 
Fisheries, 808-725-5174.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS proposes to provide Western Pacific 
Sustainable Fisheries Funds (SFF) to the Western Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (Council) to support construction of a rock 
revetment along Garapan Fishing Base, Saipan, CNMI. The Council would 
in turn, provide funds to the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural 
Resources (DLNR) to construct the revetment to stabilize 380 feet of 
shoreline. DLNR would use locally mined limestone rock to build the 
revetment and construction would proceed in three phases in accordance 
with engineering specifications. Phase I would begin in the area 
immediately adjacent to and south of the storm drain that is south of 
Garapan boat ramp and extend south along the coast for approximately 
100 feet. Phase II would continue south for another 100 feet. Phase III 
would continue south for the remaining 180 feet. All together, the rock 
revetment would extend approximately 380 feet south along the coast, 
with the final 40 feet consisting of a gradual grade of flanking rocks. 
The revetment crest will be generally 4 to 5 feet above sea level and 
cemented for stability. The toe will be set at 4.5 feet below sea level 
and buried in sand and gravel to sea level. The revetment will extend 
approximately 15 feet offshore. However, the bottom of the revetment 
and toe is to be buried in sand, so it will appear to extend between 5 
and 8 feet offshore at low tide along most of its length.
    NMFS has produced a draft EA to evaluate the environmental effects 
of constructing the rock revetment. The draft EA shows that the 
construction includes several provisions intended to protect air and 
water quality and prevent large adverse effects on marine benthic 
habitats and wildlife, historic resources, and other features of the 
coastal and marine environment. NMFS is seeking public comments on the 
draft EA.

    Dated: January 21, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01694 Filed 1-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P