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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1348]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[I.D. 121799E]

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries; Additional Public 
Hearings

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

ACTION:  Public hearings; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS filed a public hearing announcement and request for 
comments on December 21, 1999, to receive comments from fishery 
participants and other members of the public regarding proposed 
regulations to reduce bycatch in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery. 
NMFS also announced a joint meeting of the HMS and Billfish Advisory 
Panels (APs). NMFS herewith announces three additional public hearings 
and extends the comment period for both the proposed rule and the Draft 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Regulatory Impact Review/
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (DSEIS/RIR/IRFA).
    To accommodate people unable to attend a hearing or wishing to 
provide written comments, NMFS also solicits written comments on the 
proposed rule and the DSEIS/RIR/IRFA.

DATES:  The additional hearings are scheduled as follows:
    1. Tuesday, February 15, 2000, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Biloxi, MS.
    2. Wednesday, February 16, 2000, 7 to 9:30 p.m., New Orleans, LA.
    3. Thursday, February 17, 2000, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Riverhead, NY.
    Written comments on the proposed rule or DSEIS/RIR/IRFA must be 
received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no 
later than 5 p.m., eastern standard time, on March 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  The locations for the additional hearings are as follows:
    1. Department of Marine Resources, Back Bay Auditorium, 1141 
Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530
    2. Four Points Hotel, 333 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
    3. Town Hall, 2000 Howell Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901
    Persons submitting written comments on the proposed rule or the 
DSEIS/RIR/IRFA should include their name, address and if possible phone 
number; the title of the document on which comments are being 
submitted; and specific factors or comments along with supporting 
reasons why you believe NMFS should consider them in reaching a 
decision.
    Written comments on the proposed rule or DSEIS/RIR/IRFA should be 
sent to Rebecca Lent, Chief, Highly Migratory Species Management 
Division, Office of Sustainable Fisheries (F/SF1), National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. 
Comments also may be sent via facsimile (fax) to 301-713-1917. Comments 
will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or Internet. For copies of 
the draft Technical Memorandum and DSEIS/RIR/IRFA contact Jill 
Stevenson at 301-713-2347, or write to Rebecca Lent.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jill Stevenson at 301-713-2347, fax 
301-713-1917, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The proposed regulations that are the 
subject of the hearings are necessary to address requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for the 
conservation and management of HMS.
    A complete description of the measures, and the purpose and need 
for the proposed actions, is contained in the proposed rule, published 
December 15, 1999 (64 FR 69982) and is not repeated here. Information 
on other hearing locations and the AP meeting was published on December 
28, 1999 (64 FR 72636). Copies of the proposed rule or the list of 
other hearing and AP meeting locations may be obtained by writing (see 
ADDRESSES) or by calling Jill Stevenson (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).
    On December 30, 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency published 
a Notice of Availability of the DSEIS/RIR/IRFA for the proposed action 
(64 FR 73550). The comment period on this document (EIS No. 990495) is 
also extended until March 1, 2000.

Special Accommodations

    The hearings and the AP meeting are physically accessible to people 
with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids should be directed to Jill Stevenson (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 7 days prior to the hearing or meeting.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 971 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: January 14, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-1348 Filed 1-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
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