Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2001 / Proposed Rules 12755

pools supporting the Riverside fairy

shrimp have occurred throughout these

areas due to urban and water

development, flood control, highway

and utility projects, as well as the

conversion of wildlands to agricultural

and other human uses.

The species was Federally listed as

endangered throughout its range on

August 3, 1993 (58 FR 41384), and its

continued survival is reduced by habitat

loss and degradation. On September 21,

2000, the Fish and Wildlife Service

published a rule proposing critical

habitat for the Riverside fairy shrimp in

the Federal Register (65 FR 57136). We

proposed designation of approximately

4,880 hectares (12,060 acres) as critical

habitat for the Riverside fairy shrimp

pursuant to the Endangered Species Act

of 1973, as amended (Act). Proposed

critical habitat is in Los Angeles,

Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and

Ventura Counties, California, as

described in the proposed rule.

Section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that

the Secretary shall designate or revise

critical habitat based upon the best

scientific and commercial data available

and after taking into consideration the

economic impact of specifying any

particular area as critical habitat. Based

upon the previously published proposal

to designate critical habitat for the

Riverside fairy shrimp and comments

received during previous comment

period, we have prepared a draft

economic analysis of the proposed

critical habitat designation, which is

available at the above Internet and

mailing address.

Public Comment Solicited

We have reopened the comment

period at this time in order to accept the

best and most current scientific and

commercial data available regarding the

proposed critical habitat and the draft

economic analysis. Previously

submitted written comments on this

critical habitat proposal need not be

resubmitted. The current comment

period on this proposal closes on March

30, 2001. Written comments may be

submitted to the Service office in the

ADDRESSES section.

Author

The primary author of this notice is

Douglas Krofta (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

The authority for this action is the

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Dated: February 20, 2001.

David Patte,

Acting Manager, California/Nevada

Operations.

[FR Doc. 01–4844 Filed 2–27–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[I.D. 022001A]

New England Fishery Management

Council; Public Meeting

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Public meeting.

SUMMARY: The New England Fishery

Management Council (Council) will

hold a 2-day Council meeting, on March

14 and 15, 2001, to consider actions

affecting New England fisheries in the

exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

DATES: The meeting will be held on

Wednesday and Thursday, March 14

and 15, at 9 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.,

respectively.

ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at

the Radisson Hotel New London, 35

Governor Winthrop Boulevard, New

London, CT, 06320; telephone (860)

443–7000. Requests for special

accommodations should be addressed to

the New England Fishery Management

Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2,

Newburyport, MA 01950; telephone

(978) 465–0492.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul

J. Howard, Executive Director, New

England Fishery Management Council

(978) 465–0492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Wednesday, March 14, 2001

After introductions, the meeting will

begin with a report from the Council’s

Groundfish Committee on alternatives

for draft Amendment 13 to the

Northeast Multispecies Fishery

Management Plan (FMP). Prior to that

discussion, the Council will receive two

reports. The first will summarize fishing

industry comments on the social

impacts of groundfish management

measures since 1994. The second will

present information on changes in

groundfish vessel gross revenues since

1994. A discussion of the biological

objectives for the amendment is also

scheduled. The alternatives discussion

will be based on the broad concepts of

refinements to the status quo measures,

area-based management and sector

allocation by gear type.

12756 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 40 / Wednesday, February 28, 2001 / Proposed Rules

Thursday, March 15, 2001

The second day of the Council

meeting will begin with reports on

recent activities from the Council

Chairman, Executive Director, the

NMFS Regional Administrator,

Northeast Fisheries Science Center and

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management

Council liaisons, NOAA General

Counsel and representatives of the Coast

Guard, NMFS Enforcement and the

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries

Commission. These reports will be

followed by a brief period for public

comments on any topic relevant to

Council business. The Council will

revisit its priorities for 2001 in view of

the need to develop a Red Crab FMP.

Based on Council approval of a change

in priorities, the Red Crab Committee

will be prepared to recommend goals

and objectives for the Red Crab FMP.

The Scallop Committee will seek

approval of goals and objectives for

Amendment 10 to the Scallop FMP as

well as a draft outline of management

alternatives. The Council meeting will

adjourn after addressing any other

outstanding business.

Although other non-emergency issues

not contained in this agenda may come

before this Council for discussion, those

issues may not be the subjects of formal

action during this meeting. Council

action will be restricted to those issues

specifically listed in this notice and any

issues arising after publication of this

notice that require emergency action

under section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and

Management Act, provided the public

has been notified of the Council’s intent

to take final action to address the

emergency.

The Council will consider public

comments at a minimum of two Council

meetings before making

recommendations to the NMFS Regional

Administrator on any framework

adjustment to a fishery management

plan. If she concurs with the adjustment

proposed by the Council, the Regional

Administrator has the discretion to

publish the action either as proposed or

final regulations in the Federal Register.

Documents pertaining to framework

adjustments are available for public

review 7 days prior to a final vote by the

Council.

Special Accommodations

This meeting is physically accessible

to people with disabilities. Requests for

sign language interpretation or other

auxiliary aids should be directed to Paul

J. Howard (see ADDRESSES) at least 5

days prior to the meeting date.

Dated: February 22, 2001.

Richard W. Surdi,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 01–4893 Filed 2–27–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S