Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 49447

State/location Community

No.

Effective date of

eligibility

Current effective

map date

Date certain

Federal assistance no longer

available in special flood hazard

areas

Region II

New York:

Brutus, town of, Cayuga County ............ 360104 Sept. 6, 1974, Emerg; April 16, 1979, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Gardiner, town of, Ulster County ........... 360856 June 26, 1974, Emerg; Sept. 30, 1982,

Reg; Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Region III

Pennsylvania:

Lock Haven, city of, Clinton County ...... 420328 Nov. 17, 1972, Emerg; Feb. 2, 1977, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Woodward, township of, Clinton County 420337 March 16, 1973, Emerg; Jan. 16, 1980,

Reg; Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Region V

Canal Winchester, village of, Franklin

County.

390169 Dec. 26, 1973, Emerg; June 4, 1980, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Franklin County, unincorporated areas 390167 April 19, 1973, Emerg; July 5, 1983, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Wisconsin: West Bend, city of, Washington

County.

550475 Aug. 15, 1975, Emerg; Aug. 2, 1982, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Region IX

Arizona: Apache County, unincorporated

areas.

040001 April 11, 1975, Emerg; July 5, 1982, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

California:

Dublin, city of, Alameda County ............ 060705 Feb. 3, 1971, Emerg; Apr. 15, 1981, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Livermore, city of, Alameda County ...... 060008 Dec. 1, 1972, Emerg; July 5, 1977, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Modoc County, unincorporated areas ... 060192 Feb. 19, 1976, Emerg; Sept. 24, 1984, Reg;

Sept. 17, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Region VI

Oklahoma: Marshall County, unincorporated

areas.

400511 Aug. 17, 1983, Emerg; May 28, 1985, Reg;

Sept. 30, 1997, Susp.

Sept. 30, 1997 .. Sept. 30, 1997.

Region VII

Nebraska: Howard County, unincorporated

areas.

310446 June 21, 1993, Emerg; Sept. 30, 1997,

Reg; Sept. 30, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Region VIII

Colorado: Broomfield, city of, Adams, Boulder, and Jefferson Counties.085073 Feb. 18, 1972, Emerg; Sept. 7, 1973, Reg;

Sept. 30, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Montana: Bull Creek, village of, Taney

County.

290916 Dec. 6, 1993, Emerg; Sept. 30, 1997 Reg;

Sept. 30, 1997, Susp.

......do ............... Do.

Code for reading third column: Emerg.-Emergency; Reg.-Regular; Rein.-Reinstatement; Susp.-Suspension.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.100, ‘‘Flood Insurance’’)

Issued: September 5, 1997.

Michael J. Armstrong,

Associate Director for Mitigation.

[FR Doc. 97–25103 Filed 9–19–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–05–P

FEDERAL EMERGENCY

MANAGEMENT AGENCY

44 CFR Part 64

[Docket No. FEMA–7671]

List of Communities Eligible for the

Sale of Flood Insurance

AGENCY: Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This rule identifies

communities participating in the

National Flood Insurance Program

(NFIP). These communities have

applied to the program and have agreed

to enact certain floodplain management

measures. The communities’

participation in the program authorizes

the sale of flood insurance to owners of

property located in the communities

listed.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The dates listed in the

third column of the table.

ADDRESSES: Flood insurance policies for

property located in the communities

listed can be obtained from any licensed

property insurance agent or broker

serving the eligible community, or from

the NFIP at: Post Office Box 6464,

Rockville, MD 20849, (800) 638–6620.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert F. Shea, Jr., Division Director,

Program Implementation Division,

Mitigation Directorate, 500 C Street SW.,
49448 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

room 417, Washington, DC 20472, (202)

646–3619.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NFIP

enables property owners to purchase

flood insurance which is generally not

otherwise available. In return,

communities agree to adopt and

administer local floodplain management

measures aimed at protecting lives and

new construction from future flooding.

Since the communities on the attached

list have recently entered the NFIP,

subsidized flood insurance is now

available for property in the community.

In addition, the Associate Director of

the Federal Emergency Management

Agency has identified the special flood

hazard areas in some of these

communities by publishing a Flood

Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) or Flood

Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The date of

the flood map, if one has been

published, is indicated in the fourth

column of the table. In the communities

listed where a flood map has been

published, Section 102 of the Flood

Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as

amended, 42 U.S.C. 4012(a), requires

the purchase of flood insurance as a

condition of Federal or federally related

financial assistance for acquisition or

construction of buildings in the special

flood hazard areas shown on the map.

The Associate Director finds that the

delayed effective dates would be

contrary to the public interest. The

Associate Director also finds that notice

and public procedure under 5 U.S.C.

553(b) are impracticable and

unnecessary.

National Environmental Policy Act

This rule is categorically excluded

from the requirements of 44 CFR part

10, Environmental Considerations. No

environmental impact assessment has

been prepared.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Associate Director certifies that

this rule will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities in accordance

with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5

U.S.C. 601 et seq., because the rule

creates no additional burden, but lists

those communities eligible for the sale

of flood insurance.

Regulatory Classification

This final rule is not a significant

regulatory action under the criteria of

section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 of

September 30, 1993, Regulatory

Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule does not involve any

collection of information for purposes of

the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.

3501 et seq.

Executive Order 12612, Federalism

This rule involves no policies that

have federalism implications under

Executive Order 12612, Federalism,

October 26, 1987, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp.,

p. 252.

Executive Order 12778, Civil Justice

Reform

This rule meets the applicable

standards of section 2(b)(2) of Executive

Order 12778, October 25, 1991, 56 FR

55195, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 309.

List of Subjects in 44 CFR Part 64

Flood insurance, Floodplains.

Accordingly, 44 CFR part 64 is

amended as follows:

PART 64—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for Part 64

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.,

Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978, 3 CFR,

1978 Comp., p. 329; E.O. 12127, 44 FR 19367,

3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 376.

§ 64.6 [Amended]

2. The tables published under the

authority of § 64.6 are amended as

follows:

State/location Community

No. Effective date of eligibility Current effectivemap date

New Eligibles—Emergency Program

Minnesota: Herman, city of, Grant County .................... 270576 July 2, 1997.

North Carolina: Oakboro, town of, Stanly County ......... 370493 July 9, 1997.

Montana: Belgrade, city of, Gallatin County .................. 300105 ......do.

Illinois: Wyoming, city, of Stark County ......................... 170615 July 11, 1997 ................................................................ Mar. 10, 1978.

Kansas: Burdett, city of, Pawnee County ...................... 200396 ......do ............................................................................ Mar. 26, 1976.

Michigan: Homer, township of, Midland County ............ 260989 July 14, 1997.

South Dakota: Jackson County, unincorporated areas 460240 July 18, 1997.

Georgia: Grayson, city of, Gwinnett County .................. 130325 July 22, 1997 ................................................................ July 11, 1975.

Kentucky: Grant County, unincorporated areas ............ 210337 July 25, 1997.

Michigan:

Alcona, township of, Alcona County ....................... 260996 ......do.

Quincy, township of, Branch County ...................... 260997 ......do.

Minnesota:

Graceville, city of, Big Stone County ...................... 270026 ......do.

Waubun, city of, Mahnomen County ...................... 270772 ......do.

North Carolina: Franklinton, town of, Franklin County .. 370497 July 30, 1997.

Maine: Edgecomb, town of, Lincoln County .................. 230217 Aug. 5, 1997 ................................................................. July 28, 1978.

Oregon: Warm Springs Reservation, Jefferson and

Wasco Counties.

410291 Aug. 11, 1997.

Minnesota:

McGregor, city of, Aitkin County ............................. 270773 Aug. 12, 1997.

Freeport, city of, Stearns County ............................ 270446 Aug. 19, 1997.

North Dakota: Spirit Lake Reservation, Benson County 380700 ......do.

Michigan:

Eau Claire, village of, Berrien County .................... 260999 Aug. 20, 1997.

Monterey, township of, Allegan County .................. 261000 ......do.

Colorado: Hudson, town of, Weld County ..................... 080249 ......do.

Michigan: California, township of, Branch County ......... 260998 Aug. 22, 1997.

Kentucky: Livingston County, unincorporated areas ..... 210146 Aug. 25, 1997.

Tennessee:

Putnam County, unincorporated areas ................... 470149 Aug. 27, 1997 ............................................................... Oct. 21, 1977.

White County, unincorporated areas ...................... 470365 ......do ............................................................................ Dec. 2, 1977.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 49449

State/location Community

No. Effective date of eligibility Current effectivemap date

New Eligibles—Regular Program

Missouri: West Alton, city of, St. Charles County .......... 290924 July 8, 1997 .................................................................. Aug. 2, 1996.

Washington: Mill Creek, city of, Snohomish County.1 ... 530330 July 9, 1997 .................................................................. Sep. 30, 1992.

California: Chino Hills, city of, San Bernardino County 060754 July 11, 1997 ................................................................ Jan. 17, 1997.

Louisiana: Pioneer, village of, West Carroll Parish ....... 220244 ......do ............................................................................ NSFHA.

Kentucky: Gallatin County, unincorporated areas ......... 210281 July 20, 1997 ................................................................ Aug. 19, 1997.

Georgia: Bleckley County, unincorporated areas .......... 130280 July 22, 1997 ................................................................ Sep. 6, 1996.

Oklahoma: Martha, town of, Jackson County ................ 400307 Aug. 8, 1997 ................................................................. NFSHA.

South Carolina: Marlboro County, unincorporated

areas.

450146 Aug. 11, 1997 ............................................................... Nov. 6, 1991.

Georgia: Crawford County, unincorporated areas ......... 130302 Aug. 12, 1997 ............................................................... Sept. 6, 1996.

Ohio: Tremont City, village of, Clark County ................. 390064 Aug. 13, 1997 ............................................................... May 17, 1990.

Louisiana: Oak Grove, town of, West Carroll Parish ..... 220342 Aug. 18, 1997 ............................................................... NFSHA.

Tennessee: Rutherford, town of, Gibson County .......... 470061 Aug. 27, 1997 ............................................................... Sept. 30, 1983.

Watauga, city of, Carter County .................................... 470331 ......do ............................................................................ Oct. 16, 1996.

Reinstatements

Iowa: Moville, city of, Woodbury County ....................... 190293 Feb. 23, 1976, Emerg; Sept. 1, 1986, Reg; Sept. 1,

1986, Susp; July 30, 1997, Rein.

Sept. 1, 1986.

Maine: Appleton, town of, Knox County ........................ 230073 July 22, 1975, Emerg; Dec. 4, 1985, Reg; Dec. 4,

1985, Susp; Aug. 5, 1997, Rein.

Dec. 4, 1985.

Alabama: Lamar County, unincorporated areas ............ 010271 Mar. 16, 1976, Emerg; June 4, 1990, Reg; June 4,

1990, Susp; Aug. 9, 1997, Rein.

June 4, 1990.

Illinois: Joppa, village of, Massac County ...................... 170757 Aug. 16, 1982, Emerg; Mar. 2, 1983, Reg; July 3,

1990, Susp; Aug. 13, 1997 Rein.

Mar. 2, 1983.

Pennsylvania: Murrysville, city of, Westmoreland County.421207 May 23, 1974, Emerg; Feb. 17, 1982, Reg; Aug. 5,

1997, Susp; Aug. 15, 1997, Rein.

Aug. 5, 1997.

Pennsylvania:

Hunker, borough of, Westmoreland County ........... 420880 Nov. 14, 1975, Emerg; Nov. 19, 1986, Reg; Aug. 5,

1997, Susp; Aug. 18, 1997, Rein.

Aug. 5, 1997.

Manor, borough of, Westmoreland County ............ 420886 Aug. 29, 1973, Emerg; Sept. 1, 1977, Reg; Aug. 5,

1997, Susp; Aug. 18, 1997, Rein.

Do.

Regular Program Conversions

Region VI

Louisiana: Lake Charles, city of, Calcasieu Parish ....... 220040 July 3, 1997; Suspension Withdrawn ........................... July 3, 1997.

Region IX

Arizona:

Graham County, unincorporated areas .................. 040032 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Safford, city of, Graham County ............................. 040124 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

California: Saratoga, city of, Santa Clara County .......... 060351 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region VI

Arkansas:

Charleston, city of, Franklin County ....................... 050080 July 17, 1997; Suspension Withdrawn ......................... July 17, 1997.

Franklin County, unincorporated areas .................. 050432 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Ozark, city of, Franklin County ............................... 050358 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

New Mexico: Silver City, town of, Grant County ........... 350022 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region VII

Kansas:

Olathe, city of, Johnson County ............................. 200173 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Overland Park, city of, Johnson County ................. 200174 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region VIII

Colorado: Larimer County, unincorporated areas ......... 080101 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region IX

California:

Amador County, unincorporated areas ................... 060015 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Jackson, city of, Amador County ............................ 060448 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region II

New York:

Mount Kisco, village of, Westchester County ......... 360918 Aug. 5, 1997; Suspension Withdrawn .......................... Aug. 5, 1997.

New Castle, town of, Westchester County ............. 360921 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region III

Pennsylvania:

Allegheny, township of, Westmoreland County ...... 420869 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Arnold, city of, Westmoreland County .................... 420870 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Arona, borough of, Westmoreland County ............. 420871 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Avonmore, borough of, Westmoreland County ...... 420872 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Bell, township of, Westmoreland County ................ 422185 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Delmont, borough of, Westmoreland County ......... 422177 ......do ............................................................................ Do.
49450 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

State/location Community

No. Effective date of eligibility Current effectivemap date

Derry, borough of, Westmoreland County .............. 420874 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Derry, township of, Westmoreland County ............. 421205 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Donegal, township of, Westmoreland County ........ 422187 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

East Huntingdon, township of, Westmoreland

County.

422188 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

East Vandergrift, borough of, Westmoreland

County.

420875 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Export, borough of, Westmoreland County ............ 420876 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Fairfield, township of, Westmoreland County ......... 422189 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Greensburg, city of, Westmoreland County ........... 420877 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Hempfield, township of, Westmoreland County ..... 420878 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Hyde Park, borough of, Westmoreland County ...... 422179 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Irwin, borough of, Westmoreland County ............... 420881 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Jeannette, city of, Westmoreland County ............... 420882 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Latrobe, borough of, Westmoreland County .......... 420883 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Ligonier, borough of, Westmoreland County .......... 422180 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Ligonier, township of, Westmoreland County ......... 420884 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Loyalhanna, township of, Westmoreland County ... 422190 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Lower Burrell, city of, Westmoreland County ......... 420885 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Monessen, city of, Westmoreland County .............. 420887 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Mount Pleasant, township of, Westmoreland

County.

420888 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

New Florence, borough of, Westmoreland County 420890 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

New Kensington, city of, Westmoreland County .... 420891 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

New Stanton, borough of, Westmoreland County .. 420892 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

North Huntingdon, township of, Westmoreland

County.

420893 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

North Irwin, borough of, Westmoreland County ..... 422641 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Penn, borough of, Westmoreland County .............. 420895 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Penn, township of, Westmoreland County ............. 422183 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Rostraver, township of, Westmoreland County ...... 422184 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Salem, township of, Westmoreland County ........... 422192 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Scottdale, borough of, Westmoreland County ........ 420896 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Sewickley, township of, Westmoreland County ...... 422193 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Smithton, borough of, Westmoreland County ........ 420899 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

South Huntingdon, township of, Westmoreland

County.

422194 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Southwest Greensburg, borough of, Westmoreland County.420901 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

St. Clair, township of, Westmoreland County ......... 422191 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Sutersville, borough of, Westmoreland County ...... 420902 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Trafford, borough of, Westmoreland County .......... 420903 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Upper Burrell, township of, Westmoreland County 422195 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Vandergrift, borough of, Westmoreland County ..... 420904 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Washington, township of, Westmoreland County ... 422196 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

West Leechburg, borough of, Westmoreland

County.

420905 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

West Newton, borough of, Westmoreland County 420906 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Youngwood, borough of, Westmoreland County .... 420908 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region VI

New Mexico:

Chama, village of, Rio Arriba County ..................... 350050 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Rio Arriba County, unincorporated areas ............... 350049 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Oklahoma: Davidson, town of, Tillman County ............. 400204 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Texas: Eastland, city of, Eastland County ..................... 480204 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region I

Maine:

Cutler, town of, Washington County ....................... 230310 Aug. 19, 1997; Suspension Withdrawn ........................ Aug. 19, 1997.

Perry, town of, Washington County ........................ 230319 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

New Hampshire: Tilton, town of, Belknap County ......... 330009 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region III

Pennsylvania:

Benton, borough of, Columbia County ................... 421543 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

West Brunswick, township of, Schuylkill County .... 422028 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Virginia:

Grundy, town of, Buchanan County ....................... 510025 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region IV

Georgia: Talbot County, unincorporated areas ............. 130396 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region V

Illinois: Wood Dale, city of, DuPage County .................. 170224 ......do ............................................................................ Do.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 183 / Monday, September 22, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 49451

State/location Community

No. Effective date of eligibility Current effectivemap date

Michigan: Meyer, township of, Menominee County ....... 260458 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

Region IX

Arizona: Santa Cruz County, unincorporated areas ...... 040090 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

California: Hemet, city of, Riverside County .................. 060253 ......do ............................................................................ Do.

1The City of Mill Creek has adopted the Snohomish County (CID #535534) Flood Insurance Rate Map dated September 30, 1992.

Code for reading third column: Emerg.—Emergency; Reg.—Regular; Rein.—Reinstatement; Susp.—Suspension; With.—Withdrawn; NSFHA—

Non Special Flood Hazard Area.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.100, ‘‘Flood Insurance’’)

Issued: September 11, 1997.

Michael J. Armstrong,

Associate Director for Mitigation.

[FR Doc. 97–25104 Filed 9–19–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–05–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 697

[Docket No. 970829213–7213–01; I.D.

091696A]

RIN 0648–AJ15

Atlantic Coast Weakfish Fishery;

Change in Regulations for the

Exclusive Economic Zone

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: NMFS is issuing regulations

for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

offshore from Maine through Florida

that impose a minimum size limit of 12

inches (30.5 cm) (total length);

minimum mesh sizes in the EEZ of 3 1/

4–inch (8.3 cm) square stretch mesh or

3 3/4–inch (9.5 cm) diamond stretch

mesh for trawls, and 2 7/8–inch (7.3 cm)

stretch mesh for gill nets; a bycatch

possession limit of 150 lb (67 kg) for

fisheries using smaller mesh sizes for

any one day or trip, whichever is longer;

a prohibition on the use of flynets in a

closed area of the EEZ off North

Carolina, south of Cape Hatteras from 3

nm to about 40 nm offshore; a

prohibition on the possession of any

weakfish in the closed area of the EEZ

off North Carolina when using shrimp

trawls or crab trawls; and a requirement

that weakfish harvested for commercial

purposes in the EEZ be landed only in

the following states: Massachusetts,

Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,

New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland,

Virginia, or North Carolina. In addition,

weakfish fishing must be in accordance

with the laws of the state where

weakfish are landed if the state’s

regulations are more restrictive than the

Federal regulations. The intent of the

regulations is to provide protection to

the overfished stock of weakfish, ensure

the effectiveness of state regulations,

and aid in the rebuilding of the stock.

DATES: Effective October 22, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Copies of supporting

documents, including a Final

Supplemental Environmental Impact

Statement and Regulatory Impact

Review (FSEIS/RIR), are available from

Richard H. Schaefer, Chief, Staff Office

for Intergovernmental and Recreational

Fisheries, NMFS, 8484 Georgia Avenue,

Suite 425, Silver Spring, MD 20910–

3282.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas Meyer/Anne Lange, 301–427–

2014.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The background and rationale for this

rule were contained in the preamble to

the proposed rule, published in the

Federal Register on February 14, 1997

(62 FR 6935), and are not repeated here.

Additional background for this rule is

available and contained in a FSEIS/RIR

prepared by NMFS for this rule (see

ADDRESSES).

Comments and Responses

NMFS received written comments

from 17 agencies, states and

organizations and five individuals, and

held four public hearings attended by 74

individuals, to gather public comments

on the proposed rule. Details of both the

written comments and the public

hearings are provided in the FSEIS/RIR

published in the Federal Register on

July 3, 1997 (62 FR 36062). Written and

public hearing comments are

summarized here.

Each of the State and Federal agencies

and conservation organizations

supported the proposed rule and found

its measures to be compatible with state

and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries

Commission (Commission) fishery

management plans for weakfish. The

U.S. Coast Guard suggested changes to

clarify current language and to address

several enforcement issues. The U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service fully

supported the proposed rule and urged

the earliest possible adoption of both

the weakfish rule and a proposed rule

to implement a program to certify

specific Bycatch Reduction Devices

(BRDs) for shrimp trawls (final rule

published in the Federal Register on

April 16, 1997 (62 FR 18536)). The MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council

supported the proposed rule and, based

on its comments, an additional public

hearing was held in North Carolina to

address industry concerns related to the

impact of the proposed rule on other

fisheries conducted in the closed area

off North Carolina.

1. Comment: One agency commented

that language, consistent with

regulations requiring the use of Turtle

Excluder Devices (TEDs) in the summer

flounder fishery, should be included in

the prohibitions (§ 697.7) to require use

of TEDs by vessels using nets in the EEZ

north of Cape Hatteras.

Response: Under the requirements of

section 7 of the Endangered Species Act,

NMFS has evaluated the impact the

weakfish fishery may have on turtles.

Based on the Biological Opinion issued

by NMFS, reasonable and prudent

measures will be taken to minimize the

impact of the weakfish fishery on sea

turtles. This will include development

of an effective TED for flynets and a

schedule for implementation in flynet

gear during the times and areas as

required for summer flounder (50 CFR

217.12 and 227.72). In addition, an

Incidental Take Statement has been

issued by NMFS, anticipating

documented lethal or non-lethal takes in

the weakfish fishery of a maximum total

of 20 loggerhead turtles and two Kemp’s

ridleys in flynet, bottom trawl, or gillnet

gear. Should these levels be exceeded,

consultations must be reinitiated.

2. Comment: Several commenters

suggested that the proposed closed area

line should be modified to be consistent

with the line in the North Carolina

regulations, which proceeds in a

southeasterly direction from Cape