24284 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 93 / Monday, May 14, 2001 / Rules and Regulations

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.100, ‘‘Flood Insurance’’)

Dated: May 3, 2001.

Margaret E. Lawless,

Acting Executive Associate Director for

Mitigation.

[FR Doc. 01–12029 Filed 5–11–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–04–P

FEDERAL EMERGENCY

MANAGEMENT AGENCY

44 CFR Part 67

Final Flood Elevation Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: Base (1% annual chance)

flood elevations and modified base

flood elevations are made final for the

communities listed below. The base

flood elevations and modified base

flood elevations are the basis for the

floodplain management measures that

each community is required either to

adopt or to show evidence of being

already in effect in order to qualify or

remain qualified for participation in the

National Flood Insurance Program

(NFIP).

EFFECTIVE DATES: The date of issuance of

the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)

showing base flood elevations and

modified base flood elevations for each

community. This date may be obtained

by contacting the office where the maps

are available for inspection as indicated

on the table below.

ADDRESSES: The final base flood

elevations for each community are

available for inspection at the office of

the Chief Executive Officer of each

community. The respective addresses

are listed in the table below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Matthew B. Miller, P.E., Chief, Hazards

Study Branch, Mitigation Directorate,

Federal Emergency Management

Agency, 500 C Street SW., Washington,

DC 20472, (202) 646–3461, or (email)

matt.miller@fema.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA or Agency) makes final

determinations listed below of base

flood elevations and modified base

flood elevations for each community

listed. The proposed base flood

elevations and proposed modified base

flood elevations were published in

newspapers of local circulation and an

opportunity for the community or

individuals to appeal the proposed

determinations to or through the

community was provided for a period of

ninety (90) days. The proposed base

flood elevations and proposed modified

base flood elevations were also

published in the Federal Register.

This final rule is issued in accordance

with Section 110 of the Flood Disaster

Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. 4104,

and 44 CFR part 67.

The Agency has developed criteria for

floodplain management in floodprone

areas in accordance with 44 CFR part

60.

Interested lessees and owners of real

property are encouraged to review the

proof Flood Insurance Study and Flood

Insurance Rate Map available at the

address cited below for each

community.

The base flood elevations and

modified base flood elevations are made

final in the communities listed below.

Elevations at selected locations in each

community are shown.

National Environmental Policy Act

This rule is categorically excluded

from the requirements of 44 CFR part

10, Environmental Consideration. No

environmental impact assessment has

been prepared.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Acting Executive Associate

Director, Mitigation Directorate, certifies

that this rule is exempt from the

requirements of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act because final or modified

base flood elevations are required by the

Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973,

42 U.S.C. 4104, and are required to

establish and maintain community

eligibility in the NFIP. No regulatory

flexibility analysis has been prepared.

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.

Executive Order 12612, Federalism

This rule involves no policies that

have federalism implications under

Executive Order 12612, Federalism,

dated October 26, 1987.

Executive Order 12778, Civil Justice

Reform

This rule meets the applicable

standards of Section 2(b)(2) of Executive

Order 12778.

List of Subjects in 44 CFR Part 67

Administrative practice and

procedure, flood insurance, reporting

and recordkeeping requirements.

Accordingly, 44 CFR part 67 is

amended as follows:

PART 67—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 67

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.

§ 67.11 [Amended]

2. The tables published under the

authority of § 67.11 are amended as

follows:

Source of flooding and location

#Depth in

feet above

ground.

*Elevation

in feet

(NGVD)

ILLINOIS

LaSalle (City), LaSalle County

(FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Illinois River:

Approximately 0.82 mile downstream of State Route 351 ......... *463

Approximately 0.95 mile upstream

of Illinois Central Railroad .......... *465

Maps available for inspection at

the LaSalle City Hall, 745 Second

Street, LaSalle, Illinois.

———

LaSalle County (Unincorporated

Areas) (FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Goose Creek:

At downstream corporate limits ...... *509

At upstream corporate limits .......... *516

Illinois River:

Approximately 2.5 miles downstream of State Route 251 ......... *462

Approximately 1.1 miles upstream

of South Main Street (State

Route 170) .................................. *497

Fox River:

At the confluence with the Illinois

River ........................................... *472

Approximately 850 feet downstream of confluence of Clear

Creek .......................................... *554

Prairie Creek:

At the confluence with the

Vermilion River ........................... *573

A point approximately 2,850 feet

upstream of Otter Creek Road ... *628

Vermilion River:

Upstream of Oakley Road .............. *567

Approximately 0.77 mile upstream

of Bridge Street .......................... *580

Clark Run Creek:

At confluence with Illinois River ..... *466

Approximately 625 feet upstream

of abandoned Illinois and Michigan Canal ................................... *473

Coal Run Creek:

Approximately 50 feet upstream of

South Otter Creek Road ............. *614

Approximately 585 feet upstream

of South Otter Creek Road ......... *615

Rat Run:

At the confluence with the Illinois

River ........................................... *494

At the Missouri, Kansas, Texas

Railroad ...................................... *501

Lake Holiday:

Entire shoreline within community *644

First Creek:

Approximately 970 feet upstream

of confluence with Little

Vermilion River ........................... *715

Approximately 250 feet upstream

of 6th Street ................................ *719

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 93 / Monday, May 14, 2001 / Rules and Regulations 24285

Source of flooding and location

#Depth in

feet above

ground.

*Elevation

in feet

(NGVD)

First Creek Tributary:

Approximately 350 feet upstream

of 17th Street .............................. *740

At 17th Street ................................. *740

South Branch Coal Run Creek:

Downstream side of South Otter

Creek Street ............................... *614

Approximately 425 feet upstream

of South Otter Creek Street ........ *615

Ponding Area:

Approximately 1,800 feet northwest

of intersection of West Church

Street and Johnson Street .......... #1

Maps available for inspection at

the LaSalle County Courthouse,

County Clerk’s Office, 707 Etna

Road, Ottawa, Illinois.

———

Marseilles (City), LaSalle County

(FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Illinois River:

Approximately 4,200 feet downstream of Main Street ................. *479

Approximately 15,500 feet upstream of Main Street ................. *492

Maps available for inspection at

the Marseilles City Hall, 209 Lincoln Street, Marseilles, Illinois.

———

Millington (Village), LaSalle County

(FEMA Docket No. 7307) 

Fox River:

Approximately 1.6 miles upstream

of Interstate 80 ........................... *553

Approximately 400 feet upstream

of confluence of Clear Creek ...... *555

Clear Creek:

At confluence with the Fox River ... *555

At the Burlington Northern Railroad *556

Maps available for inspection at

the Millington Village Hall, Walnut

Street, Millington, Illinois.

———

North Utica (Village), LaSalle

County (FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Clark Run Creek:

Approximately 0.46 mile downstream of crossing of the abandoned Illinois and Michigan

Canal .......................................... *466

Approximately 700 feet downstream of confluence of the

abandoned Illinois and Michigan

Canal .......................................... *466

Illinois River:

Approximately 0.38 mile downstream of State Route 178 ......... *466

Approximately 0.55 mile upstream

of State Route 178 ..................... *466

Maps available for inspection at

the North Utica Village Hall, 245

Mill Street, Utica, Illinois.

———

Ottawa (City), LaSalle County

(FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Goose Creek:

Approximately 400 feet downstream of Champlain Street ........ *472

Approximately 150 feet upstream

of Champlain Street .................... *475

Illinois River:

Approximately 0.4 mile downstream of Burlington Northern

Railroad ...................................... *471

Source of flooding and location

#Depth in

feet above

ground.

*Elevation

in feet

(NGVD)

Approximately 4,400 feet upstream

of confluence of Fox River ......... *473

Fox River:

Approximately 500 feet upstream

of confluence with the Illinois

River ........................................... *472

Approximately 0.98 mile upstream

of confluence of Goose Creek .... *474

Maps available for inspection at

the Ottawa City Hall, 301 West

Madison Street, Ottawa, Illinois.

———

Peru (City), LaSalle County (FEMA

Docket No. 7007)

Illinois River:

Approximately 7,350 feet downstream of State Route 251 ......... *462

A point approximately 2,600 feet

upstream of State Route 251 ..... *463

Maps available for inspection at

the Peru City Clerk’s Office, 1727

Fourth Street, Peru, Illinois.

———

Seneca (Village), LaSalle County

(FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Illinois River:

Approximately 1.1 miles downstream of South Main Street

(State Route 170) ....................... *494

Approximately 400 feet upstream

of upstream county boundary ..... *497

Rat Run:

Approximately 2,750 feet downstream of Main Street (State

Route 170) .................................. *494

Approximately 1,000 feet downstream of Main Street (State

Route 170) .................................. *494

Maps available for inspection at

the Seneca Village Hall, 116 West

Williams Street, Seneca, Illinois.

———

Sheridan (Village), LaSalle County

(FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Fox River:

At the most downstream corporate

limits ............................................ *540

Approximately 1,725 feet upstream

of North 41st Road ..................... *545

Maps available for inspection at

the Sheridan Village Hall, Engineer’s Office, Robinson Street,

Sheridan, Illinois.

INDIANA

Decatur County (Unincorporated

Areas) (FEMA Docket No. D–7502)

Righthand Fork:

At confluence with Lake Santee .... *997

Approximately 1,850 feet upstream

of the confluence of Righthand

Fork Tributary ............................. *1,025

Righthand Fork Tributary:

At confluence with Righthand Fork *1,017

Approximately 1,003 feet upstream

of the confluence with Righthand

Fork ............................................. *1,023

Lake Santee:

For its entire shoreline within the

community .................................. *997

Source of flooding and location

#Depth in

feet above

ground.

*Elevation

in feet

(NGVD)

Maps available for inspection at

the Decatur County Area Planning

Commission Office, 150 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, Indiana.

MAINE

Wilton (Town), Franklin County

(FEMA Docket No. D–7506)

Butterfield Brook:

At U.S. Route 2/State Route 17 ..... *477

Approximately 0.64 mile upstream

of Butterfield Road ...................... *727

Cram Brook:

At confluence with Sevenmile

Stream ........................................ *611

At confluence of Ice Pond Brook ... *617

Ice Pond Brook:

At confluence with Cram Brook ..... *617

Approximately 230 feet upstream

of Gordon Road .......................... *638

Pine Brook:

At confluence with Wilson Stream *581

Approximately 85 feet upstream of

State Route 156 (Weld Road) .... *592

Potash Brook:

At U.S. Route 2/State Route 17 ..... *488

Approximately 120 feet upstream

of Cemetery Road ...................... *515

Sevenmile Stream:

At downstream U.S. Route 2/State

Route 17 crossing ...................... *520

At upstream corporate limits .......... *633

Temple Brook:

At confluence with Wilson Stream *635

Approximately 0.95 mile upstream

of State Road 156 (Weld Road) *775

Wilson Stream:

At confluence with Wilson Pond .... *576

Approximately 0.7 mile upstream of

Tobin Flats Road ........................ *726

Varnum Pond:

Approximately 1,250 feet west of

the intersection of Rupert Road

and Walker Hill Road .................. *758

Maps available for inspection at

the Wilton Town Hall, Code Enforcement Office, 158 Weld Road,

Wilton, Maine.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Durham (Town), Strafford County

(FEMA Docket No. D–7502)

Pettee Brook:

At confluence with Beard’s Creek .. *8

A point approximately 20 feet upstream of Durham Reservoir

Spillway ....................................... *84

College Brook:

Approximately 40 feet upstream of

the confluence with Oyster River *15

At Concord Road ........................... *69

Oyster River:

Approximately 1,500 feet upstream

of Mill Pond Dam ........................ *15

A point approximately 15 feet upstream of State Route 155A ....... *68

Lamprey River:

Approximately 40 feet upstream of

Wiswall Road .............................. *63

At upstream corporate limits .......... *64

Hamel Brook:

At the confluence with Oyster River *15

Approximately 1,600 feet upstream

of the confluence with Oyster

River ........................................... *15

24286 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 93 / Monday, May 14, 2001 / Rules and Regulations

Source of flooding and location

#Depth in

feet above

ground.

*Elevation

in feet

(NGVD)

Maps available for inspection at

the Durham Town Hall, 15 New

Market Road, Durham, New Hampshire.

NEW JERSEY

Chatham (Borough), Morris County

(FEMA Docket No. D–7500)

Passaic River:

Approximately 125 feet downstream of Main Street ................. *180

Approximately 300 feet upstream

of Stanley Avenue ...................... *205

Maps available for inspection at

the Chatham Borough Hall, 54

Fairmount Avenue, Chatham, New

Jersey.

———

Chatham (Township), Morris County (FEMA Docket No. D–7500)

Passaic River:

Approximately 0.38 mile downstream of Mount Vernon Avenue *205

Approximately 1,520 feet upstream

of Snyder Avenue ....................... *212

Maps available for inspection at

the Chatham Township Hall, 58

Meyersville Road, Chatham, New

Jersey.

———

Frenchtown (Borough), Hunterdon

County (FEMA Docket No. D–

7504)

Delaware River:

At downstream corporate limit ....... *124

At upstream corporate limit ............ *127

Nishisakawick Creek:

At confluence with Delaware River *125

A point approximately 450 feet upstream of Kingswood Avenue

(State Route 12) ......................... *126

Little Nishisakawick Creek:

At confluence with Delaware River *125

Approximately 760 feet upstream

of State Route 29 (Trenton Avenue) ............................................. *126

Maps available for inspection at

the Frenchtown Borough Hall, 29

Second Street, Frenchtown, New

Jersey.

———

Phillipsburg (Town), Warren County (FEMA Docket No. D–7504)

Delaware River:

At downstream corporate limits ...... *183

Approximately 50 feet upstream of

U.S. Route 22/Memorial Parkway ............................................. *196

Lopatcong Creek:

At confluence with Delaware River *188

Approximately 1,600 feet upstream of CONRAIL ................ *188

Maps available for inspection at

the Phillipsburg Town Hall, 675

Corliss Avenue, Phillipsburg, New

Jersey.

NEW YORK

Champlain (Town), Clinton County

(FEMA Docket No. D–7502

Great Chazy River:

Confuence with Lake Champlain ... *102

Source of flooding and location

#Depth in

feet above

ground.

*Elevation

in feet

(NGVD)

Approximately 275 feet downstream from I–87 bridge ............. *130

Maps available for inspection at

the Champlain Town Hall, 729

Rougt 9, Champlain, New York.

———

Champlain (Village), Clinton

County (FEMA Docket No. D–7502)

Great Chazy River:

Approximately 3,580 feet downstream of Elm Street bridge ....... *103

Approximately 3,300 feet upstream

of U.S. Route 9 bridge ................ *127

Maps available for inspection at

the Champlain Village Hall, 1104

Route 9 Main Street, Champlain,

New York.

———

North Elba (Town), Essex County

(FEMA Docket No. D–7502)

West Branch Ausable River:

Approximately 50 feet downstream

of State Route 86 ....................... *1,644

Approximately 170 feet upstream

of State Route 73 ....................... *1,680

Chubb River, Reach 1:

At the confluence with West

Branch Ausable River ................. *1,664

Approximately 0.76 mile upstream

of confluence with West Branch

Ausable ....................................... *1,668

Chubb River, Reach 2:

Approximately 20 feet downstream

of CONRAIL ................................ *1,727

Approximately 0.46 mile upstream

of Old Military Road .................... *1,738

Maps available for inspection at

the North Elba Town Clerk’s Office,

301 Main Street, Lake Placid, New

York.

OHIO

Brooklyn Heights (Village), Cuyahoga County (FEMA Docket No.

D–7502)

Cuyahoga River:

At downstream corporate limit ....... *597

At upstream corporate limit ............ *602

Maps available for inspection at

the Western Reserve Engineering

Company, 5605 Valley Belt Road,

Independence, Ohio.

———

Cuyahoga Heights (Village), Cuyahoga County (FEMA Docket

No. D–7502)

Cuyahoga River:

Approximately 800 feet downstream side of Harvard Denison

Bridge ......................................... *588

Approximately 1,700 feet upstream

side of Interstate 77 .................... *606

Maps available for inspection at

the Cuyahoga Heights Village Hall,

4863 East 71st Street, Cuyahoga

Heights, Ohio.

———

Glouster (Village), Athens County

(FEMA Docket No. D–7504)

Mud Fork:

Confluence with West Branch Sunday Creek ................................... *687

Source of flooding and location

#Depth in

feet above

ground.

*Elevation

in feet

(NGVD)

Approximately 2,300 feet upstream

of Oak Street .............................. *694

Sunday Creek:

Approximately 2,960 feet downstream of Oak Street .................. *684

Downstream side of State Route

78 ................................................ *691

West Branch Sunday Creek:

Confluence with Sunday Creek ...... *687

Approximately 2,200 feet upstream

of Embrey Street ........................ *687

Maps available for inspection at

the Glouster Village Hall, 16 1/2

Front Street, Glouster, Ohio.

———

Independence (City), Cuyahoga

County (FEMA Docket No. D–7502)

Cuyahoga River:

At downstream corporate limits ...... *602

At Pleasant Valley Road ................ *620

Maps available for inspection at

the City of Independence Building

Department, 6335 Selig Drive,

Independence, Ohio.

VIRGINIA

Danville (City), Pittsylvania County

(FEMA Docket No. 7307)

Apple Branch:

At confluence with Dan River ......... *418

Approximately 25 feet upstream of

Northmont Boulevard .................. *535

Dan River:

At downstream corporate limits ...... *396

Approximately 970 feet downstream of upstream corporate

limits ............................................ *458

Sandy Creek:

At confluence with Dan River ......... *424

At downstream side of U.S. Route

58 ................................................ *424

Sandy River:

At confluence with Dan River ......... *427

Just downstream of old U.S. Route

58 ................................................ *427

Pumpkin Creek:

At confluence with Dan River ......... *401

750 feet upstream of State Route

265 .............................................. *401

Jackson Branch:

At confluence with Dan River ......... *403

Approximately 1,725 feet upstream

of Goodyear Boulevard (Whitmell

Street) ......................................... *403

Fall Creek:

At confluence with Dan River ......... *404

100 feet downstream of Halifax

Street .......................................... *404

Maps available for inspection at

the Department of Community Development, 427 Patton Street,

Danville, Virginia.

———

Pittsylvania County (Unincorporated Areas) (FEMA docket

No. D–7502)

Dan River:

At State boundary .......................... *396

Approximately 3.0 miles downstream of Southern Railway ....... 458

Maps available for inspection at

the Pittsylvania County Zoning Officer, 53 North Main Street, Chatham, Virginia.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 93 / Monday, May 14, 2001 / Rules and Regulations 24287

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No.

83.100, ‘‘Flood Insurance’’)

Dated: May 3, 2001.

Margaret E. Lawless,

Acting Executive Associate, Director for

Mitigation.

[FR Doc. 01–12028 Filed 5–11–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6718–04–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 223

[Docket No. 010409084–1084–01; I.D.

030601A]

RIN 0648–AP16

Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp

Trawling Requirements

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Interim final rule.

SUMMARY: The National Marine

Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues an

interim final rule to add the double

cover flap Turtle Excluder Device (TED)

to the list of hard TEDs approved for use

by shrimp trawlers operating in the

Atlantic Ocean off the southeastern

United States and in the Gulf of Mexico

and as a TED approved for use without

modification in a closed portion of the

leatherback conservation zone. NMFS is

adding this TED to these lists because

upon completion of the testing protocols

the TED has been found to meet all

criteria for approval. The intent of this

rule is to provide an additional option

by which fishermen can comply with

the requirement that all nets rigged for

fishing in the Atlantic or Gulf Areas

have an approved TED installed for use.

DATES: This interim final rule is

effective May 14, 2001.Comments on

this interim final rule are requested, and

must be received by June 13, 2001.

Comments sent by email or the internet

will not be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this action

should be addressed to the Chief,

Endangered Species Division, Office of

Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD

20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Hoffman, 727–570–5312.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

All sea turtles that occur in U.S.

waters are listed as either endangered or

threatened under the Endangered

Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The Kemp’s

ridley (Lepidochelys kempii),

leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and

hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) are

listed as endangered. The loggerhead

(Caretta caretta) and green turtle

(Chelonia mydas) are listed as

threatened, except for breeding

populations of green turtles in Florida

and on the Pacific coast of Mexico,

which are listed as endangered.

The incidental take and mortality of

sea turtles as a result of trawling

activities has been documented in the

Gulf of Mexico and along the Atlantic

seaboard. Under the ESA and its

implementing regulations, taking sea

turtles is prohibited, with exceptions

identified in 50 CFR 223.206. The

incidental taking of turtles during

shrimp or summer flounder trawling is

exempted from the taking prohibition of

section 9 of the ESA if the conservation

measures specified in the sea turtle

conservation regulations (50 CFR part

223) are followed. The regulations

require most shrimp trawlers and

summer flounder trawlers operating in

the southeastern United States (Atlantic

Area, Gulf Area, and summer flounder

sea turtle protection area) to have a

NMFS–approved TED installed in each

net that is rigged for fishing to provide

for the escape of sea turtles. TEDs

currently approved by NMFS include

single-grid hard TEDs and hooped hard

TEDs conforming to a generic

description, two types of special hard

TEDs (the flounder TED and the Jones

TED), and one type of soft TED–the

Parker soft TED.

TEDs incorporate an escape opening,

usually covered by a webbing flap, that

allows sea turtles to escape from trawl

nets. To be approved by NMFS, a TED

design must be shown to be 97 percent

effective in excluding sea turtles during

experimental TED testing. Most

approved hard TEDs are described in

the regulations (50 CFR 223.207(a))

according to generic criteria based upon

certain parameters of TED design,

configuration, and installation,

including height and width dimensions

of the TED opening through which the

turtles escape. In the Atlantic Area, the

opening must be at least 35 inches (89

cm) in width and 12 inches (30 cm) in

height. In the Gulf Area, the opening

must be at least 32 inches (81 cm) in

width and 10 inches (25 cm) in height.

Leatherback Contingency Plan

NMFS, in cooperation with the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, South

Carolina Wildlife & Marine Resources

Department, Georgia Department of

Natural Resources, and Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

developed the Leatherback Contingency

Plan to reduce leatherback mortality in

shrimp trawls and, in 1995, NMFS

established the leatherback conservation

zone regulations to implement the

Leatherback Contingency Plan (60 FR

25620, May 12, 1995). Leatherback

turtles are too large to fit through the

standard size TED opening; when

mature they can weigh between 600 and

1300 pounds (273 and 591 kg). The

Leatherback Contingency Plan includes

procedures to identify when and where

TEDs with larger escape openings

should be used to protect leatherbacks

during their annual, spring migration

along the Atlantic seaboard. The

leatherback conservation zone is the

waters north of Cape Canaveral, FL, to

the North Carolina–Virginia border.

Within this zone, weekly aerial surveys

for leatherback sightings are conducted

from January 1 through June 30 of each

year. If sightings, in replicate surveys,

exceed 10 leatherback turtles per 50

nautical miles (nm)(92.6 km) of

trackline, NMFS closes, for a 2-week

period, waters within 1°lat. of the

trackline to shrimp trawlers unless they

use a TED modified with the

leatherback exit opening. There is

currently one approved leatherback

modification for hard TEDs and one for

the Parker soft TED.

Double Cover Flap TED

In June 2000 NMFS tested the new

double cover flap TED design. This

design includes the use of a split flap.

This TED has an escape opening with a

width of 56 inches (142 cm), covered

with a split flap composed of two equal

size rectangular panels. Each panel must

be no less than 58 inches (147 cm) wide

and must not overlap each other by

more than 15 inches (38 cm). The panels

may only be sewn together along the

leading edge of the cut. The edge of the

panels may be attached 6 inches (15 cm)

behind the posterior edge of grid, and

the end of each panel must not extend

more than 6 inches (15 cm) past the

center of the bottom of the grid.

Double Cover Flap TED Testing

A total of ten turtles were exposed to

a double cover flap TED in the bottom

opening configuration. Five of these

turtles were exposed to a double cover

flap TED with the flap extending 24

inches (61 cm) past the grid and the

other five were exposed to a TED with

the flap extending 3 inches (8 cm) past

the grid frame. All ten turtles escaped,

but escape from the short flap TED was

faster by an average of 33 seconds. The

long flap in this configuration also had

trouble maintaining its integrity during