Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 128 / Monday, July 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules 41041

(1) Have policies, procedures, and

operating instructions that adequately

describe its MMAS;

(2) Provide to the Administrative

Contracting Officer (ACO) adequate evidence

that it has conducted internal audits to

ensure compliance with established MMAS

policies, procedures, and operating

instructions; and

(3) Disclose significant changes in its

MMAS to the ACO within 30 days of

implementation.

(d) Deficiencies.

(1) If the Contractor receives a report from

the ACO that identifies any deficiencies in its

MMAS, the Contractor shall respond as

follows:

(i) If the Contractor agrees with the report

findings and recommendations, the

Contractor shall—

(A) Within 30 days, state its agreement in

writing; and

(B) Within 60 days, correct the deficiencies

or submit a corrective action plan showing

milestones and actions to eliminate the

deficiencies.

(ii) If the Contractor disagrees with the

report findings and recommendations, the

Contractor shall, within 30 days, state its

rationale for each area of disagreement.

(2) The ACO will evaluate the Contractor’s

response and will notify the Contractor in

writing of the—

(i) Determination concerning any

remaining deficiencies;

(ii) Adequacy of any proposed or

completed corrective action plan; and

(iii) Need for any new or revised corrective

action plan.

(3) When the ACO determines the MMAS

deficiencies have a material impact on

Government contract costs, the ACO must

reduce progress payments by an appropriate

percentage based on affected costs (in

accordance with FAR 32.503–6) and/or

disallow costs on vouchers (in accordance

with FAR 42.803) until the ACO determines

that—

(i) The deficiencies are corrected; or

(ii) The amount of the impact is

immaterial.

(e) MMAS standards. The MMAS shall

have adequate internal controls to ensure

system and data integrity, and shall—

(1) Have an adequate system description

including policies, procedures, and operating

instructions that comply with the FAR and

Defense FAR Supplement;

(2) Ensure that costs of purchased and

fabricated material charged or allocated to a

contract are based on valid time-phased

requirements as impacted by minimum/

economic order quantity restrictions.

(i) A 98 percent bill of material accuracy

and a 95 percent master production schedule

accuracy are desirable as a goal in order to

ensure that requirements are both valid and

appropriately time-phased.

(ii) If systems have accuracy levels below

these, the Contractor shall provide adequate

evidence that—

(A) There is no material harm to the

Government due to lower accuracy levels;

and

(B) The cost to meet the accuracy goals is

excessive in relation to the impact on the

Government;

(3) Provide a mechanism to identify,

report, and resolve system control

weaknesses and manual override. Systems

should identify operational exceptions such

as excess/residual inventory as soon as

known;

(4) Provide audit trails and maintain

records (manual and those in machine

readable form) necessary to evaluate system

logic and to verify through transaction testing

that the system is operating as desired;

(5) Establish and maintain adequate levels

of record accuracy, and include

reconciliation of recorded inventory

quantities to physical inventory by part

number on a periodic basis. A 95 percent

accuracy level is desirable. If systems have an

accuracy level below 95 percent, the

Contractor shall provide adequate evidence

that—

(i) Three is no material harm to the

Government due to lower accuracy levels;

and

(ii) The cost to meet the accuracy goal is

excessive in relation to the impact on the

Government;

(6) Provide detailed descriptions of

circumstances that will result in manual or

system generated transfers of parts;

(7) Maintain a consistent, equitable, and

unbiased logic for costing of material

transactions as follows:

(i) The Contractor shall maintain and

disclose written policies describing the

transfer methodology and the loan/pay-back

technique.

(ii) The costing methodology may be

standard or actual cost, or any of the

inventory costing methods in 48 CFR

9904.411–50(b). The Contractor shall

maintain consistency across all contract and

customer types, and from accounting period

to accounting period for initial charging and

transfer charging.

(iii) The system should transfer parts and

associated costs within the same billing

period. In the few instances where this may

not be appropriate, the Contractor may

accomplish the material transaction using a

loan/pay-back technique. The ‘‘loan/pay-back

technique’’ means that the physical part is

moved temporarily from the contract, but the

cost of the part remains on the contract. The

procedures for the loan/pay-back technique

must be approved by the ACO. When the

technique is used, the Contractor shall have

controls to ensure—

(A) Parts are paid back expeditiously;

(B) Procedures and controls are in place to

correct any overbilling that might occur;

(C) Monthly, at a minimum, identification

of the borrowing contract and the date the

part was borrowed; and

(D) The cost of the replacement part is

charged to the borrowing contract;

(8) Where allocations from common

inventory accounts are used, have controls

(in addition to those in paragraphs (e)(2) and

(7) of this clause) to ensure that—

(i) Reallocations and any credit due are

processed no less frequently than the routine

billing cycle;

(ii) Inventories retained for requirements

that are not under contract are not allocated

to contracts; and

(iii) Algorithms are maintained based on

valid and current data;

(9) Notwithstanding FAR 45.505–3(f)(1)(ii),

have adequate controls to ensure that

physically commingled inventories that may

include material for which costs are charged

or allocated to fixed-price, costreimbursement, and commercial contracts do

not compromise requirements of any of the

standards in paragraphs (e)(1) through (8) of

this clause. Government-furnished material

shall not be—

(i) Physically commingled with other

material; or

(ii) Used on commercial work; and

(10) Be subjected to periodic internal

audits to ensure compliance with established

policies and procedures.

(End of clause)

[FR Doc. 00–16640 Filed 6–30–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 5000–04–M

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 000616183–0183–01; I.D.

053000E]

RIN 0648–AN35

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of

Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic;

Special Management Zones

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the

framework procedure of the Fishery

Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic

Region (FMP), NMFS proposes to

establish 12 new special management

zones (SMZs) at the sites of artificial

reefs (ARs) in the exclusive economic

zone (EEZ) off Georgia; to revise the

boundaries of the 7 existing SMZs that

are in the EEZ off Georgia; to restrict

fishing in the new and revised SMZs to

rod and reel and spearfishing gear,

including powerheads; and within these

SMZs, to limit the harvest and

possession of South Atlantic snappergrouper taken by powerheads to the

applicable bag limits. NMFS also

proposes establishing a 30-day deadline

for resolving deficiencies related to an

application and a 60-day deadline for

correcting deficiencies regarding

automatic renewals of permits. The

intended effects are to promote orderly

use of the fishery resources on and

around the ARs and SMZs, to reduce

41042 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 128 / Monday, July 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules

potential user-group conflicts, and to

maintain the socioeconomic benefits of

the ARs and SMZs to the maximum

extent practicable.

DATES: Written comments must be

received no later than 4:30 p.m. eastern

standard time, on August 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed

rule may be sent to the Southeast

Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive

Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL

33702. Comments may also be sent via

fax to 727–570–5583. Comments will

not be accepted if submitted via e-mail

or Internet.

Comments regarding the collection-ofinformation requirements contained in

this rule should be sent to Roy Crabtree,

NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N.,

St. Petersburg, FL 33702, and to the

Office of Information and Regulatory

Affairs, Office of Management and

Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503

(Attention: NOAA Desk Officer).

Requests for copies of the framework

regulatory amendment, which includes

an environmental assessment, a

regulatory impact review, a social

impact assessment/fishery impact

statement, and a Monitoring Team

Report should be sent to the South

Atlantic Fishery Management Council,

Southpark Building, One Southpark

Circle, Suite 306, Charleston, SC 29407–

4699; Phone: 803–571–4366; Fax: 803–

769–4520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.

Peter J. Eldridge, Phone: 727–570–5305,

Fax: 727–570–5583, E-mail

Peter.Eldridge@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

fisheries for snapper-grouper species in

the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states

are regulated under the FMP. The FMP

was prepared by the South Atlantic

Fishery Management Council (Council)

and is implemented under the authority

of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery

Conservation and Management Act

(Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations

at 50 CFR part 622.

New and Revised SMZs

In accordance with the FMP

framework procedures, the Council

recommended that the Regional

Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS

(RA), establish 12 new SMZs and

modify the boundaries of the 7 existing

SMZs in the EEZ off Georgia. The

Council’s recommendation is based on a

request from the Georgia Department of

Natural Resources (GADNR). Fishing in

the new and revised SMZs would be

restricted to specified gear.

The new SMZs in the EEZ off Georgia

would be, and the existing SMZs whose

boundaries would be modified are, at

the sites of ARs constructed by the

GADNR. The ARs were constructed for

the purpose of enhancing fishing

opportunities for offshore sport

fishermen. The ARs in the EEZ off

Georgia are on an expansive shelf area

that has large areas devoid of any live/

hard bottom. Prior to establishment of

the ARs, these areas did not support any

significant fisheries.

Thus, these ARs create fishing

opportunities in the areas where they

are placed that would not exist

otherwise and may increase the

biological production of fish in the long

term. They are expensive to construct.

The enhanced fishing benefits created

by ARs can be dissipated rapidly by use

of highly efficient commercial fishing

gear with the capacity to harvest large

amounts of fish in a short period of

time, thereby reducing catch-per-uniteffort for other users. The use of such

gear can disrupt, and potentially

eliminate, the intended, long-term

fishing benefits and can jeopardize the

incentive for development of ARs. In

addition, use of commercial fishing gear

such as bottom longlines, gillnets, or

trawls, is not suitable for use on ARs

because such gear tends to foul on the

AR structure and with other gear.

Restrictions on the use of such gear are

necessary to preserve the intended

benefits of ARs.

The Council proposes to modify the

boundaries of 7 existing SMZs in the

EEZ off Georgia to conform to the

boundaries specified in GADNR’s

permits from the Corps of Engineers

(COE) for placement of these ARs. Since

NOAA nautical charts identify SMZs

using the COE permit coordinates,

compliance and enforcement of the

SMZs would be facilitated by these

minor modifications. Each of the revised

SMZs would be enlarged by a small

amount, but, in no case would the

enlargement exceed 1.5 square nautical

miles. The enlarged SMZs were

requested by GADNR and approved by

the COE to disperse fishing pressure

further and to create habitat with

adequate forage zones. As with the

current sites, the expanded boundaries

would encompass only flat, sand-shell

expanses where little or no fishing

occurs.

Authorized Fishing Gear

Fishing in the SMZs in the EEZ off

Georgia would be restricted to rod and

reel, including manual, electric, and

hydraulic reels, and spearfishing gear,

including powerheads. Further, within

these SMZs, the harvest and possession

of South Atlantic snapper-grouper taken

by powerheads would be limited to the

applicable bag limits. Thus, the

maximum amount of snapper-grouper

that a person aboard a commercial

vessel could take by powerhead from an

SMZ would be the recreational bag

limit. Currently, in the existing SMZs in

the EEZ off Georgia, there is no

limitation on the use of powerheads to

harvest snapper-grouper commercially.

The use of powerheads, a highly

efficient gear, can quickly overharvest

already limited snapper-grouper

species, particularly amberjack.

Limitations on commercial gear,

including powerheads, would better

maintain the availability of artificial reef

resources and more equitably distribute

them among greater numbers of users

over a longer period of time.

Monitoring Team Report

In accordance with the FMP, the

monitoring team appointed by the

Council evaluated GADNR’s request in

consideration of the following criteria:

(1) Fairness and equity; (2) promotion of

conservation; (3) prevention of

excessive shares; (4) consistency with

the objectives of the FMP, the

Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other

applicable law; (5) suitability of the

natural bottom in and surrounding the

areas and impacts on historical uses;

and (6) cumulative impacts. A copy of

the monitoring team’s report is available

(see ADDRESSES).

After consideration of all relevant

information, including the Monitoring

Team Report, other supporting data, and

comments received during public

hearings, committee meetings, and

Council meetings, the Council voted to

recommend to the RA that GADNR’s

request be approved. Accordingly, the

proposed new and revised SMZs and

the management measures applicable to

them are published for public comment.

Additional Changes to Part 622

Proposed by NMFS

In § 622.4, NMFS proposes revising

paragraph (h) relating to renewals of

permits, licenses, or endorsements.

Paragraph (h) provides applicants the

opportunity to correct deficiencies that

would otherwise preclude renewals.

However, there is no deadline specified

for resolving the deficiencies. Therefore,

a pending renewal could be left

unresolved for extended periods. This

could circumvent the intent of renewing

a permit, license, or endorsement in a

timely manner. NMFS proposes

establishing a 30-day deadline for

resolving deficiencies related to an

application and a 60-day deadline for

correcting deficiencies regarding

automatic renewals (that may involve

more time-consuming issues related to

reporting requirements). NMFS also

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 128 / Monday, July 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules 41043

proposes to reorganize paragraph (h) for

clarity.

NMFS also corrects the telephone

number in §§ 622.17(b)(1) introductory

text and 622.41(a)(4) introductory text to

reflect a change in area code.

Classification

This proposed rule has been

determined to be not significant for

purposes of E.O. 12866.

Notwithstanding any other provision

of law, no person is required to respond

to, nor shall a person be subject to a

penalty for failure to comply with, a

collection-of-information subject to the

requirements of the Paperwork

Reduction Act (PRA) unless that

collection of information displays a

currently valid OMB control number.

This proposed rule makes minor

revisions to an existing collection-ofinformation requirement subject to

review and approval by OMB under

Control Number 0648–0205. Public

reporting burden for submitting permit

applications is estimated to average 20

minutes per response, including the

time for reviewing instructions,

searching existing data sources,

gathering and maintaining the data

needed, and completing and reviewing

the collection of information. Send

comments regarding this burden

estimate, or any other aspect of this data

collection, including suggestions for

reducing the burden, to NMFS and OMB

(see ADDRESSES).

The Assistant General Counsel for

Legislation and Regulation of the

Department of Commerce certified to

the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the

Small Business Administration that this

proposed rule, if adopted, would not

have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of small entities as

follows:

This proposed action will establish 12

new SMZs at the sites of ARs in the EEZ

off Georgia, revise the boundaries of the

7 existing SMZs that are in the EEZ off

Georgia, and restrict fishing in the new

and revised SMZs to rod and reel and

spearfishing gear, including

powerheads. The 17 AR sites cover a

total area of about 80 square nautical

miles. These sites were originally

established as recreational fishing areas,

and the purpose of the proposed rule is

to maintain these areas mainly as

recreational fishing areas by specifying

the allowable fishing methods that can

be used by fishermen when fishing

within the boundaries of the artificial

reef sites. The allowable gears are handheld hook and line and spearfishing

gears, including powerheads. The catch

by the users of powerheads will be

restricted to the recreational bag limit

for all species having a bag limit. By

implication, certain commercial gears,

including longlines, bandit rigs and the

use of powerheads to take commercial

quantities of fish are prohibited.

According to information supplied by

GADNR to NMFS, there is almost no

commercial fishing activity on these

artificial reefs at the present time.

Therefore, the actual effect of the

proposed rule would be to maintain the

status quo in terms of the current users

of these sites (recreational fishermen for

the most part). In terms of the use of

commercial fishing gear that would be

prohibited, the information supplied by

GADNR indicates that there is no

commercial fishing activity by

fishermen using bandit rigs or longlines

at these sites. GADNR’s information

further indicates that one or two

commercial fishermen fish on one or

two of the artificial reef sites using

powerheads. These fishermen use the

areas during the period May to October

and target greater amberjack. A total of

349 documented vessels and an

unknown number of small fishing craft

commercially fish in Georgia waters and

most of these commercial fishing

activities represent individual small

business entities. Since only one or two

of over 349 small entities are expected

to be impacted by the proposed rule, a

substantial number of small entities are

not expected to be impacted. There are

no large business entities engaged in

commercial fishing in Georgia, so there

cannot be any disproportional impacts

between large entities and the one or

two small entities expected to be

impacted. Based on the available

information, NMFS has concluded that

the small amount of current commercial

fishing activity reported by GADNR

does not constitute a case where this

proposed rule, if implemented, would

have a significant negative impact on a

substantial number of small entities.

As a result, a regulatory flexibility

analysis was not prepared.

The President has directed Federal

agencies to use plain language in their

communications with the public,

including regulations. To comply with

this directive, we seek public comment

on any ambiguity or unnecessary

complexity arising from the language

used in this rule. Comments should be

sent to the Southeast Regional Office,

NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N.,

St. Petersburg, FL 33702.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

Fisheries, Fishing, Puerto Rico,

Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Virgin Islands.

Dated: June 27, 2000.

Andrew A. Rosenberg,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,

National Marine Fisheries Service.

For the reasons set out in the

preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is proposed

to be amended as follows:

PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE

CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH

ATLANTIC

1. The authority citation for part 622

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

2. In § 622.4, paragraph (h) is revised

to read as follows:

§ 622.4 Permits and fees.

* * * * *

(h) Renewal. Although a permit,

license, or endorsement required by this

section is issued on an annual basis, an

application for its renewal is required

only every 2 years. In the interim years,

renewal is automatic (without

application) for a vessel owner or dealer

who has met the specific requirements

for the requested permit, license, or

endorsement, who has submitted all

reports required under the Magnuson

Act, and who is not subject to a sanction

or denial under paragraph (j) of this

section. An owner or dealer whose

permit, license, or endorsement is

expiring will be mailed a notification by

the RA approximately 2 months prior to

its expiration. That notification will

advise the status of the renewal. That is,

the notification will advise that the

renewal will be issued without further

action by the owner or dealer (automatic

renewal), that the permit, license, or

endorsement is ineligible for automatic

renewal, or that a new application is

required.

(1) If eligible for automatic renewal. If

the RA’s notification indicates that the

owner’s or dealer’s permit, license, or

endorsement is eligible for automatic

renewal, the RA will mail the

automatically renewed permit, license,

or endorsement approximately 1 month

prior to expiration of the old permit,

license, or endorsement.

(2) If ineligible for automatic renewal.

If the RA’s notification indicates that the

owner’s or dealer’s permit, license, or

endorsement is ineligible for automatic

renewal, the notification will specify the

reasons and will provide an opportunity

for correction of any deficiencies. If the

owner or dealer does not correct such

deficiencies within 60 days after the

date of the RA’s notification, the

renewal will be considered abandoned.

A permit, license, or endorsement that

is not renewed within the applicable

deadline will not be reissued.

41044 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 128 / Monday, July 3, 2000 / Proposed Rules

(3) If new application is required. If

the RA’s notification indicates that a

new application is required, the

notification will include a preprinted

renewal application. If the RA receives

an incomplete application, the RA will

notify the applicant of the deficiency. If

the applicant fails to correct the

deficiency within 30 days of the date of

the RA’s letter of notification, the

application will be considered

abandoned. A permit, license, or

endorsement that is not renewed within

the applicable deadline will not be

reissued.

(4) If notification is not received. A

vessel owner or dealer who does not

receive a notification from the RA

regarding status of renewal of a permit,

license, or endorsement by 45 days prior

to expiration of the current permit must

contact the RA.

* * * * *

3. In § 622.35, paragraphs (e)(1)(xii)

through (e)(1)(xviii) are revised and

paragraphs (e)(1)(xl) through (e)(1)(li)

and (e)(2)(v) are added to read as

follows:

§ 622.35 South Atlantic EEZ seasonal and/

or area closures.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

(1) * * *

(xii) Artificial Reef—A is bounded on

the north by 30°57.4’ N. lat.; on the

south by 30°55.4’ N. lat.; on the east by

81°13.9’ W. long.; and on the west by

81°16.3’ W. long.

(xiii) Artificial Reef—C is bounded on

the north by 30°52.0’ N. lat.; on the

south by 30°50.0’ N. lat.; on the east by

81°08.5’ W. long.; and on the west by

81°10.9’ W. long.

(xiv) Artificial Reef—G is bounded on

the north by 30°00.0’ N. lat.; on the

south by 30°58.0’ N. lat.; on the east by

80°56.8’ W. long.; and on the west by

80°59.2’ W. long.

(xv) Artificial Reef—F is bounded on

the north by 31°06.8’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°04.8’ N. lat.; on the east by

81°10.5’ W. long.; and on the west by

81°13.4’ W. long.

(xvi) Artificial Reef—J is bounded on

the north by 31°36.7’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°34.7’ N. lat.; on the east by

80°47.3’ W. long.; and on the west by

80°50.1’ W. long.

(xvii) Artificial Reef—L is bounded on

the north by 31°46.0’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°44.0’ N. lat.; on the east by

80°34.7’ W. long.; and on the west by

80°37.1’ W. long.

(xviii) Artificial Reef—KC is bounded

on the north by 31°51.2’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°49.2’ N. lat.; on the east by

80°45.3’ W. long.; and on the west by

80°47.7’ W. long.

* * * * *

(xl) Artificial Reef—ALT is bounded

on the north by 31°18.6’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°16.6’ N. lat.; on the east by

81°07.0’ W. long.; and on the west by

81°09.4’ W. long.

(xli) Artificial Reef—CAT is bounded

on the north by 31°40.2’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°38.2’ N. lat.; on the east by

80°56.2’ W. long.; and on the west by

80°58.6’ W. long.

(xlii) Artificial Reef—CCA is bounded

on the north by 31°43.7’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°41.7’ N. lat.; on the east by

80°40.0’ W. long.; and on the west by

80°42.3’ W. long.

(xliii) Artificial Reef—DRH is

bounded on the north by 31°18.0’ N.

lat.; on the south by 31°16.0’ N. lat.; on

the east by 80°56.6’ W. long.; and on the

west by 80°59.0’ W. long.

(xliv) Artificial Reef—DUA is

bounded on the north by 31°47.8’ N.

lat.; on the south by 31°45.8’ N. lat.; on

the east by 80°52.1’ W. long.; and on the

west by 80°54.5’ W. long.

(xlv) Artificial Reef—DW is bounded

on the north by 31°22.8’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°20.3’ N. lat.; on the east by

79°49.8’ W. long.; and on the west by

79°51.1’ W. long.

(xlvi) Artificial Reef—KBY is bounded

on the north by 30°48.6’ N. lat.; on the

south by 30°46.6’ N. lat.; on the east by

81°15.0’ W. long.; and on the west by

81°17.4’ W. long.

(xlvii) Artificial Reef—KTK is

bounded on the north by 31°31.3’ N.

lat.; on the south by 31°29.3’ N. lat.; on

the east by 80°59.1’ W. long.; and on the

west by 81°01.5’ W. long.

(xlviii) Artificial Reef—MRY is

bounded on the north by 30°47.5’ N.

lat.; on the south by 30°45.5’ N. lat.; on

the east by 81°05.5’ W. long.; and on the

west by 81°07.8’ W. long.

(xlix) Artificial Reef—SAV is bounded

on the north by 31°55.4’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°53.4’ N. lat.; on the east by

80°45.2’ W. long.; and on the west by

80°47.6’ W. long.

(l) Artificial Reef—SFC is bounded on

the north by 31°00.8’ N. lat.; on the

south by 30°59.8’ N. lat.; on the east by

81°02.2’ W. long.; and on the west by

81°03.4’ W. long.

(li) Artificial Reef—WW is bounded

on the north by 31°43.5’ N. lat.; on the

south by 31°42.2’ N. lat.; on the east by

79°57.7’ W. long.; and on the west by

79°59.3’ W. long.

* * * * *

(2) * * *

(v) In the SMZs specified in

paragraphs (e)(1)(xii) through

(e)(1)(xviii) and (e)(1)(xl) through

(e)(1)(li) of this section, the possession

of South Atlantic snapper-grouper taken

with a powerhead is limited to the bag

limits specified in § 622.39(d)(1).

* * * * *

4. In § 622.39, paragraph (a)(4) is

added to read as follows:

§ 622.39 Bag and possession limits.

(a) * * *

(4) Paragraph (a)(1) of this section

notwithstanding, a person aboard a

vessel for which a commercial permit

for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has

been issued must comply with the bag

limits specified in paragraph (d)(1) of

this section for South Atlantic snappergrouper taken with a powerhead,

regardless of where taken, when such

snapper-grouper are possessed in an

SMZ specified in § 622.35(e)(1)(xii)

through (e)(1)(xviii) or (e)(1)(xl) through

(e)(1)(li).

* * * * *

§§ 622.17 and 622.41 [Amended]

5. In addition to the amendments set

forth above, in 50 CFR part 622, remove

the telephone number, ‘‘813–570–

5344’’, and add in its place ‘‘727–570–

5344’’ in the following places:

(a) Section 622.17(b)(1) introductory

text; and

(b) Section 622.41(a)(4) introductory

text.

[FR Doc. 00–16773 Filed 6–30–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000627195–0195–01; I.D.

060500C]

RIN: 0648–AN94

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic

Zone Off Alaska; Seasonal Adjustment

of Closure Areas to Trawl Gear in the

Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of

Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes a regulatory

amendment to implement a seasonal

closure of a portion of the Central

Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

(GOA) to vessels using trawl gear.

Regulatory authority also is proposed