4866 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 20 / Monday, January 31, 2022 / Notices 

authorizes, funds, or carries out is not 

likely to jeopardize the continued 

existence of any endangered or 

threatened species or result in the 

destruction or adverse modification of 

designated critical habitat. To ensure 

ESA compliance for the issuance of 

IHAs, NMFS consults internally 

whenever we propose to authorize take 

for endangered or threatened species 

No incidental take of ESA-listed 

species is proposed for authorization or 

expected to result from this activity. 

Therefore, NMFS has determined that 

formal consultation under section 7 of 

the ESA is not required for this action. 

Proposed Authorization 

As a result of these preliminary 

determinations, NMFS proposes to issue 

two consecutive IHA’s to BNSF for 

conducting maintenance of Bridge 6.3 in 

Kings County, WA from July 16, 2022 to 

July, 15, 2023 (Year 1) and July 16, 2023 

to July 15, 2024 (Year 2), provided the 

previously mentioned mitigation, 

monitoring, and reporting requirements 

are incorporated. Drafts of the proposed 

IHAs can be found at https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/ 

incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act. 

Request for Public Comments 

We request comment on our analyses, 

the proposed authorization, and any 

other aspect of this notification of 

proposed IHAs for the proposed action. 

We also request at this time comment on 

the potential Renewal of the proposed 

IHAs as described in the paragraph 

below. Please include with your 

comments any supporting data or 

literature citations to help inform 

decisions on the request for these IHAs 

or a subsequent Renewal IHA. 

On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may 

issue a one-time, one-year Renewal IHA 

following notice to the public providing 

an additional 15 days for public 

comments when (1) up to another year 

of identical or nearly identical activities 

as described in the Description of 

Proposed Activities section of this 

notification is planned or (2) the 

activities as described in the Description 

of Proposed Activities section of this 

notification would not be completed by 

the time the IHA expires and a Renewal 

would allow for completion of the 

activities beyond that described in the 

Dates and Duration section of this 

notification, provided all of the 

following conditions are met: 

• A request for renewal is received no 

later than 60 days prior to the needed 

Renewal IHA effective date (recognizing 

that the Renewal IHA expiration date 

cannot extend beyond one year from 

expiration of the initial IHA); 

• The request for renewal must 

include the following: 

(1) An explanation that the activities 

to be conducted under the requested 

Renewal IHA are identical to the 

activities analyzed under the initial 

IHA, are a subset of the activities, or 

include changes so minor (e.g., 

reduction in pile size) that the changes 

do not affect the previous analyses, 

mitigation and monitoring 

requirements, or take estimates (with 

the exception of reducing the type or 

amount of take); and 

(2) A preliminary monitoring report 

showing the results of the required 

monitoring to date and an explanation 

showing that the monitoring results do 

not indicate impacts of a scale or nature 

not previously analyzed or authorized. 

Upon review of the request for 

Renewal, the status of the affected 

species or stocks, and any other 

pertinent information, NMFS 

determines that there are no more than 

minor changes in the activities, the 

mitigation and monitoring measures 

will remain the same and appropriate, 

and the findings in the initial IHA 

remain valid. 

Dated: January 25, 2022. 

Kimberly Damon-Randall, 

Director, Office of Protected Resources, 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01833 Filed 1–28–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XB742] 

Taking and Importing Marine 

Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 

Incidental to Geophysical Surveys 

Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the 

Gulf of Mexico 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of issuance of letter of 

authorization. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Marine Mammal Protection Act 

(MMPA), as amended, its implementing 

regulations, and NMFS’ MMPA 

Regulations for Taking Marine 

Mammals Incidental to Geophysical 

Surveys Related to Oil and Gas 

Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, 

notification is hereby given that a Letter 

of Authorization (LOA) has been issued 

to TotalEnergies E&P USA, Inc. 

(TotalEnergies) for the take of marine 

mammals incidental to geophysical 

survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico. 

DATES: The LOA is effective from April 

20, 2022, through April 19, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: The LOA, LOA request, and 

supporting documentation are available 

online at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ 

action/incidental-take-authorization-oiland-gas-industry-geophysical-surveyactivity-gulf-mexico. In case of problems 

accessing these documents, please call 

the contact listed below (see FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben 

Laws, Office of Protected Resources, 

NMFS, (301) 427–8401. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the 

MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct 

the Secretary of Commerce to allow, 

upon request, the incidental, but not 

intentional, taking of small numbers of 

marine mammals by U.S. citizens who 

engage in a specified activity (other than 

commercial fishing) within a specified 

geographical region if certain findings 

are made and either regulations are 

issued or, if the taking is limited to 

harassment, a notice of a proposed 

authorization is provided to the public 

for review. 

An authorization for incidental 

takings shall be granted if NMFS finds 

that the taking will have a negligible 

impact on the species or stock(s), will 

not have an unmitigable adverse impact 

on the availability of the species or 

stock(s) for subsistence uses (where 

relevant), and if the permissible 

methods of taking and requirements 

pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring 

and reporting of such takings are set 

forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible 

impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact 

resulting from the specified activity that 

cannot be reasonably expected to, and is 

not reasonably likely to, adversely affect 

the species or stock through effects on 

annual rates of recruitment or survival. 

Except with respect to certain 

activities not pertinent here, the MMPA 

defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of 

pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) 

has the potential to injure a marine 

mammal or marine mammal stock in the 

wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has 

the potential to disturb a marine 

mammal or marine mammal stock in the 

wild by causing disruption of behavioral 

patterns, including, but not limited to, 

migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, 

feeding, or sheltering (Level B 

harassment). 


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1For purposes of acoustic exposure modeling, the 

GOM was divided into seven zones. Zone 1 is not 

included in the geographic scope of the rule. 2For purposes of acoustic exposure modeling, 

seasons include Winter (December–March) and 

Summer (April–November). 

3The final rule refers to the GOM Bryde’s whale 

(Balaenoptera edeni). These whales were 

subsequently described as a new species, Rice’s 

whale (Balaenoptera ricei) (Rosel et al., 2021). 

On January 19, 2021, we issued a final 

rule with regulations to govern the 

unintentional taking of marine 

mammals incidental to geophysical 

survey activities conducted by oil and 

gas industry operators, and those 

persons authorized to conduct activities 

on their behalf (collectively ‘‘industry 

operators’’), in Federal waters of the 

U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM) over the 

course of 5 years (86 FR 5322; January 

19, 2021). The rule was based on our 

findings that the total taking from the 

specified activities over the 5-year 

period will have a negligible impact on 

the affected species or stock(s) of marine 

mammals and will not have an 

unmitigable adverse impact on the 

availability of those species or stocks for 

subsistence uses. The rule became 

effective on April 19, 2021. 

Our regulations at 50 CFR 217.180 et 

seq. allow for the issuance of LOAs to 

industry operators for the incidental 

take of marine mammals during 

geophysical survey activities and 

prescribe the permissible methods of 

taking and other means of effecting the 

least practicable adverse impact on 

marine mammal species or stocks and 

their habitat (often referred to as 

mitigation), as well as requirements 

pertaining to the monitoring and 

reporting of such taking. Under 50 CFR 

217.186(e), issuance of an LOA shall be 

based on a determination that the level 

of taking will be consistent with the 

findings made for the total taking 

allowable under these regulations and a 

determination that the amount of take 

authorized under the LOA is of no more 

than small numbers. 

Summary of Request and Analysis 

TotalEnergies plans to conduct a 3D 

ocean bottom node (OBN) survey within 

the North Platte field. The survey area 

is located in Garden Banks, Green 

Canyon, Keathley Canyon, and Walker 

Ridge lease areas with approximate 

water depths ranging from 725 to 2,180 

meters (m). See Figure 1 of the LOA 

application for a map of the area. 

TotalEnergies anticipates using two 

source vessels, each towing up to three 

airgun arrays operating in an alternating 

manner. Each source array will consist 

of up to 28 elements, with a total 

volume of 5,200 cubic inches (in3). 

Please see TotalEnergies’ application for 

additional detail. 

Consistent with the preamble to the 

final rule, the survey effort proposed by 

TotalEnergies in its LOA request was 

used to develop LOA-specific take 

estimates based on the acoustic 

exposure modeling results described in 

the preamble (86 FR 5322, 5398; January 

19, 2021). In order to generate the 

appropriate take number for 

authorization, the following information 

was considered: (1) Survey type; (2) 

location (by modeling zone 1); (3) 

number of days; and (4) season.2 The 

acoustic exposure modeling performed 

in support of the rule provides 24-hour 

exposure estimates for each species, 

specific to each modeled survey type in 

each zone and season. 

No 3D OBN surveys were included in 

the modeled survey types, and use of 

existing proxies (i.e., 2D, 3D NAZ, 3D 

WAZ, Coil) is generally conservative for 

use in evaluation of 3D OBN survey 

effort, largely due to the greater area 

covered by the modeled proxies. 

Summary descriptions of these modeled 

survey geometries are available in the 

preamble to the proposed rule (83 FR 

29212, 29220; June 22, 2018). Coil was 

selected as the best available proxy 

survey type in this case, because the 

spatial coverage of the planned survey 

is most similar to the coil survey 

pattern. The planned 3D OBN surveys 

will each involve source vessels sailing 

along closely spaced survey lines 

approximately 50 km in length, 

completing 2–3 lines per day. The path 

taken by the vessels to cover these lines 

will mean that consecutive survey lines 

sailed will be 1,200 m apart. The coil 

survey pattern was assumed to cover 

approximately 144 kilometers squared 

(km2) per day (compared with 

approximately 795 km2, 199 km2, and 

845 km2 per day for the 2D, 3D NAZ, 

and 3D WAZ survey patterns, 

respectively). Among the different 

parameters of the modeled survey 

patterns (e.g., area covered, line spacing, 

number of sources, shot interval, total 

simulated pulses), NMFS considers area 

covered per day to be most influential 

on daily modeled exposures exceeding 

Level B harassment criteria. Although 

TotalEnergies is not proposing 

specifically to perform a survey using 

the coil geometry, its planned 3D OBN 

survey is expected to cover 

approximately 74 km2 per day, meaning 

that the coil proxy is most 

representative of the effort planned by 

TotalEnergies in terms of predicted 

Level B harassment exposures. 

In addition, all available acoustic 

exposure modeling results assume use 

of a 72-element, 8,000 in3 array. Thus, 

estimated take numbers for this LOA are 

considered conservative due to 

differences in both the airgun array (28 

elements, 5,200 in3) and the daily 

survey area planned by TotalEnergies 

(74 km2), as compared to those modeled 

for the rule. 

The survey will take place over 100 

days, including 65 days of sound source 

operation. The survey will occur within 

Zone 5. TotalEnergies expects that the 

survey would occur entirely within the 

Summer season. However, it is possible 

that the survey could occur within 

Winter and, therefore, the take estimates 

for each species are based on the season 

that produces the greater value for the 

species (i.e., winter or summer). 

Additionally, for some species, take 

estimates based solely on the modeling 

yielded results that are not realistically 

likely to occur when considered in light 

of other relevant information available 

during the rulemaking process regarding 

marine mammal occurrence in the 

GOM. Thus, although the modeling 

conducted for the rule is a natural 

starting point for estimating take, our 

rule acknowledged that other 

information could be considered (see, 

e.g., 86 FR 5322, 5442 (January 19, 

2021), discussing the need to provide 

flexibility and make efficient use of 

previous public and agency review of 

other information and identifying that 

additional public review is not 

necessary unless the model or inputs 

used differ substantively from those that 

were previously reviewed by NMFS and 

the public). For this survey, NMFS has 

other relevant information reviewed 

during the rulemaking that indicates use 

of the acoustic exposure modeling to 

generate a take estimate for certain 

marine mammal species produces 

results inconsistent with what is known 

regarding their occurrence in the GOM. 

Accordingly, we have adjusted the 

calculated take estimates for those 

species as described below. 

Rice’s whales (formerly known as 

GOM Bryde’s whales) 3 are generally 

found within a small area in the 

northeastern GOM in waters between 

100–400 m depth along the continental 

shelf break (Rosel et al., 2016). Whaling 

records suggest that Rice’s whales 

historically had a broader distribution 

within similar habitat parameters 

throughout the GOM (Reeves et al., 

2011; Rosel and Wilcox, 2014), and a 

NOAA survey reported observation of a 

Rice’s whale in the western GOM in 

2017 (NMFS, 2018). Habitat-based 

density modeling identified similar 

habitat (i.e., approximately 100–400 m 

water depths along the continental shelf 

break) as being potential Rice’s whale 


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4However, note that these species have been 

observed over a greater range of water depths in the 

GOM than have killer whales. 

habitat (Roberts et al., 2016), although a 

‘‘core habitat area’’ defined in the 

northeastern GOM (outside the scope of 

the rule) contained approximately 92 

percent of the predicted abundance of 

Rice’s whales. See discussion provided 

at, e.g., 83 FR 29212, 29228, 29280 (June 

22, 2018); 86 FR 5322, 5418 (January 19, 

2021). 

Although it is possible that Rice’s 

whales may occur outside of their core 

habitat, NMFS expects that any such 

occurrence would be limited to the 

narrow band of suitable habitat 

described above (i.e., 100–400 m). 

TotalEnergies’ planned activities will 

occur in water depths of approximately 

725–2,180 m in the central GOM. Thus, 

NMFS does not expect there to be the 

reasonable potential for take of Rice’s 

whale in association with this survey 

and, accordingly, does not authorize 

take of Rice’s whale through this LOA. 

Killer whales are the most rarely 

encountered species in the GOM, 

typically in deep waters of the central 

GOM (Roberts et al., 2015; Maze-Foley 

and Mullin, 2006). The approach used 

in the acoustic exposure modeling, in 

which seven modeling zones were 

defined over the U.S. GOM, necessarily 

averages fine-scale information about 

marine mammal distribution over the 

large area of each modeling zone. NMFS 

has determined that the approach can 

result in unrealistic projections 

regarding the likelihood of encountering 

killer whales. 

As discussed in the final rule, the 

density models produced by Roberts et 

al. (2016) provide the best available 

scientific information regarding 

predicted density patterns of cetaceans 

in the U.S. GOM. The predictions 

represent the output of models derived 

from multi-year observations and 

associated environmental parameters 

that incorporate corrections for 

detection bias. However, in the case of 

killer whales, the model is informed by 

few data, as indicated by the coefficient 

of variation associated with the 

abundance predicted by the model 

(0.41, the second-highest of any GOM 

species model; Roberts et al., 2016). The 

model’s authors noted the expected 

non-uniform distribution of this rarelyencountered species (as discussed 

above) and expressed that, due to the 

limited data available to inform the 

model, it ‘‘should be viewed cautiously’’ 

(Roberts et al., 2015). 

NOAA surveys in the GOM from 

1992–2009 reported only 16 sightings of 

killer whales, with an additional three 

encounters during more recent survey 

effort from 2017–18 (Waring et al., 2013; 

www.boem.gov/gommapps). Two other 

species were also observed on less than 

20 occasions during the 1992–2009 

NOAA surveys (Fraser’s dolphin and 

false killer whale 4). However, 

observational data collected by 

protected species observers (PSOs) on 

industry geophysical survey vessels 

from 2002–2015 distinguish the killer 

whale in terms of rarity. During this 

period, killer whales were encountered 

on only 10 occasions, whereas the next 

most rarely encountered species 

(Fraser’s dolphin) was recorded on 69 

occasions (Barkaszi and Kelly, 2019). 

The false killer whale and pygmy killer 

whale were the next most rarely 

encountered species, with 110 records 

each. The killer whale was the species 

with the lowest detection frequency 

during each period over which PSO data 

were synthesized (2002–2008 and 2009– 

2015). This information qualitatively 

informed our rulemaking process, as 

discussed at 86 FR 5322, 5334 (January 

19, 2021), and similarly informs our 

analysis here. 

The rarity of encounter during seismic 

surveys is not likely to be the product 

of high bias on the probability of 

detection. Unlike certain cryptic species 

with high detection bias, such as Kogia 

spp. or beaked whales, or deep-diving 

species with high availability bias, such 

as beaked whales or sperm whales, 

killer whales are typically available for 

detection when present and are easily 

observed. Roberts et al. (2015) stated 

that availability is not a major factor 

affecting detectability of killer whales 

from shipboard surveys, as they are not 

a particularly long-diving species. Baird 

et al. (2005) reported that mean dive 

durations for 41 fish-eating killer whales 

for dives greater than or equal to 1 

minute in duration was 2.3–2.4 minutes, 

and Hooker et al. (2012) reported that 

killer whales spent 78 percent of their 

time at depths between 0–10 m. 

Similarly, Kvadsheim et al. (2012) 

reported data from a study of four killer 

whales, noting that the whales 

performed 20 times as many dives to 1– 

30 m depth than to deeper waters, with 

an average depth during those most 

common dives of approximately 3 m. 

In summary, killer whales are the 

most rarely encountered species in the 

GOM and typically occur only in 

particularly deep water. While this 

information is reflected through the 

density model informing the acoustic 

exposure modeling results, there is 

relatively high uncertainty associated 

with the model for this species, and the 

acoustic exposure modeling applies 

mean distribution data over areas where 

the species is in fact less likely to occur. 

NMFS’ determination in reflection of 

the data discussed above, which 

informed the final rule, is that use of the 

generic acoustic exposure modeling 

results for killer whales would result in 

high estimated take numbers that are 

inconsistent with the assumptions made 

in the rule regarding expected killer 

whale take (86 FR 5322, 5403; January 

19, 2021). 

In past authorizations, NMFS has 

often addressed situations involving the 

low likelihood of encountering a rare 

species such as killer whales in the 

GOM through authorization of take of a 

single group of average size (i.e., 

representing a single potential 

encounter). See 83 FR 63268, December 

7, 2018. See also 86 FR 29090, May 28, 

2021; 85 FR 55645, September 9, 2020. 

For the reasons expressed above, NMFS 

determined that a single encounter of 

killer whales is more likely than the 

model-generated estimates and has 

authorized take associated with a single 

killer whale group encounter (i.e., up to 

7 animals). 

Based on the results of our analysis, 

NMFS has determined that the level of 

taking authorized through the LOA is 

consistent with the findings made for 

the total taking allowable under the 

regulations. See Table 1 in this notice 

and Table 9 of the rule (86 FR 5322; 

January 19, 2021). 

Small Numbers Determination 

Under the GOM rule, NMFS may not 

authorize incidental take of marine 

mammals in an LOA if it will exceed 

‘‘small numbers.’’ In short, when an 

acceptable estimate of the individual 

marine mammals taken is available, if 

the estimated number of individual 

animals taken is up to, but not greater 

than, one-third of the best available 

abundance estimate, NMFS will 

determine that the numbers of marine 

mammals taken of a species or stock are 

small. For more information please see 

NMFS’ discussion of the MMPA’s small 

numbers requirement provided in the 

final rule (86 FR 5322, 5438; January 19, 

2021). 

The take numbers for authorization 

are determined as described above in 

the Summary of Request and Analysis 

section. Subsequently, the total 

incidents of harassment for each species 

are multiplied by scalar ratios to 

produce a derived product that better 

reflects the number of individuals likely 

to be taken within a survey (as 

compared to the total number of 

instances of take), accounting for the 

likelihood that some individual marine 

mammals may be taken on more than 

one day (see 86 FR 5322, 5404; January 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 20 / Monday, January 31, 2022 / Notices 4869 

19, 2021). The output of this scaling, 

where appropriate, is incorporated into 

an adjusted total take estimate that is 

the basis for NMFS’ small numbers 

determination, as depicted in Table 1. 

This product is used by NMFS in 

making the necessary small numbers 

determination, through comparison 

with the best available abundance 

estimates (see discussion at 86 FR 5322, 

5391; January 19, 2021). For this 

comparison, NMFS’ approach is to use 

the maximum theoretical population, 

determined through review of current 

stock assessment reports (SAR; 

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ 

marine-mammal-protection/marinemammal-stock-assessments) and modelpredicted abundance information 

(https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/ 

Duke/GOM/). For the latter, for taxa 

where a density surface model could be 

produced, we use the maximum mean 

seasonal (i.e., 3-month) abundance 

prediction for purposes of comparison 

as a precautionary smoothing of monthto-month fluctuations and in 

consideration of a corresponding lack of 

data in the literature regarding seasonal 

distribution of marine mammals in the 

GOM. Information supporting the small 

numbers determination is provided in 

Table 1. 

TABLE 1—TAKE ANALYSIS

Species Authorized 

take Scaled take 1 Abundance 2 Percent 

abundance 

Rice’s whale ..................................................................................................... 0 n/a 51 n/a 

Sperm whale .................................................................................................... 1,710 723.2 2,207 32.8 

Kogia spp ......................................................................................................... 3 646 230.5 4,373 5.3 

Beaked whales ................................................................................................ 7,546 762.1 3,768 20.2 

Rough-toothed dolphin .................................................................................... 1,297 372.4 4,853 7.7 

Bottlenose dolphin ........................................................................................... 6,148 1,764.4 176,108 1.0 

Clymene dolphin .............................................................................................. 3,651 1,047.8 11,895 8.8 

Atlantic spotted dolphin ................................................................................... 2,456 704.8 74,785 0.9 

Pantropical spotted dolphin ............................................................................. 16,568 4,755.0 102,361 4.6 

Spinner dolphin ................................................................................................ 4,439 1,274.1 25,114 5.1 

Striped dolphin ................................................................................................. 1,426 409.3 5,229 7.8 

Fraser’s dolphin ............................................................................................... 410 117.7 1,665 7.1 

Risso’s dolphin ................................................................................................. 1,073 316.4 3,764 8.4 

Melon-headed whale ....................................................................................... 2,399 707.6 7,003 10.1

Pygmy killer whale ........................................................................................... 565 166.5 2,126 7.8 

False killer whale ............................................................................................. 898 264.9 3,204 8.3 

Killer whale ...................................................................................................... 7 n/a 267 2.6

Short-finned pilot whale ................................................................................... 694 204.7 1,981 10.3

1Scalar ratios were applied to ‘‘Authorized Take’’ values as described at 86 FR 5322, 5404 (January 19, 2021) to derive scaled take numbers 

shown here. 2Best abundance estimate. For most taxa, the best abundance estimate for purposes of comparison with take estimates is considered here to 

be the model-predicted abundance (Roberts et al., 2016). For those taxa where a density surface model predicting abundance by month was 

produced, the maximum mean seasonal abundance was used. For those taxa where abundance is not predicted by month, only mean annual 

abundance is available. For the killer whale, the larger estimated SAR abundance estimate is used. 3 Includes 34 takes by Level A harassment and 612 takes by Level B harassment. Scalar ratio is applied to takes by Level B harassment only; 

small numbers determination made on basis of scaled Level B harassment take plus authorized Level A harassment take. 

Based on the analysis contained 

herein of TotalEnergies’ proposed 

survey activity described in its LOA 

application and the anticipated take of 

marine mammals, NMFS finds that 

small numbers of marine mammals will 

be taken relative to the affected species 

or stock sizes and therefore is of no 

more than small numbers. 

Authorization 

NMFS has determined that the level 

of taking for this LOA request is 

consistent with the findings made for 

the total taking allowable under the 

incidental take regulations and that the 

amount of take authorized under the 

LOA is of no more than small numbers. 

Accordingly, we have issued an LOA to 

TotalEnergies authorizing the take of 

marine mammals incidental to its 

geophysical survey activity, as 

described above. 

Dated: January 26, 2022. 

Kimberly Damon-Randall, 

Director, Office of Protected Resources, 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01918 Filed 1–28–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XB668] 

Pacific Fishery Management Council; 

Public Meetings and Hearings 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of opportunities to 

submit public comments. 

SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery 

Management Council (Council) has 

begun its annual preseason management 

process for the 2022 ocean salmon 

fisheries off the U.S. West Coast. This 

notice informs the public of 

opportunities to provide comments on 

the development of 2022 ocean salmon 

management measures. 

DATES: Written comments on the salmon 

management alternatives adopted by the 

Council at its March 2022 meeting, as 

described in its Preseason Report II, 

received electronically or in hard copy 

by 5 p.m. Pacific Time, April 5, 2022, 

will be considered in the Council’s final 

recommendation for the 2022 

management measures. 

ADDRESSES: Documents will be available 

from the Pacific Fishery Management 

Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, 

Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384, 

and will be posted on the Council’s 

website at http://www.pcouncil.org. You 

may submit comments by any one of the 

following methods: 

• Written comments should be sent 

electronically to Mr. Marc Gorelnik, 

Chair, Pacific Fishery Management 


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