12450 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2001 / Proposed Rules

NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006–

2334 (Counsel to petitioner).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Leslie K. Shapiro, Mass Media Bureau,

(202) 418–2180.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a

synopsis of the Commission’s Notice of

Proposed Rule Making, MM Docket No.

01–35; adopted January 31, 2001 and

released February 9, 2001. The full text

of this Commission decision is available

for inspection and copying during

normal business hours in the FCC

Reference Information Center (Room

CY–A257), 445 12th Street, SW.,

Washington, DC. The complete text of

this decision may also be purchased

from the Commission’s copy contractor,

International Transcription Service,

Inc., (202) 857–3800, 1231 20th Street,

NW., Washington, DC 20036.

Provisions of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act of 1980 do not apply to

this proceeding.

Members of the public should note

that from the time a Notice of Proposed

Rule Making is issued until the matter

is no longer subject to Commission

consideration or court review, all ex

parte contacts are prohibited in

Commission proceedings, such as this

one, which involve channel allotments.

See 47 CFR 1.1204(b) for rules

governing permissible ex parte contacts.

For information regarding proper

filing procedures for comments, see 47

CFR 1.415 and 1.420.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73

Radio broadcasting.

For the reasons discussed in the

preamble, the Federal Communications

Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR

part 73 as follows:

PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST

SERVICES

1. The authority citation for part 73

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334 and 336.

§ 73.202 [Amended]

2. Section 73.202(b), the Table of FM

Allotments under Georgia, is amended

by adding Young Harris, Channel 236A.

Federal Communications Commission.

John A. Karousos,

Chief, Allocations Branch, Policy and Rules

Division, Mass Media Bureau.

[FR Doc. 01–4728 Filed 2–26–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712–01–U

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS

COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[DA 01–334; MM Docket No. 00–210; RM–

9979]

Radio Broadcasting Services; Sonoita,

AZ

AGENCY: Federal Communications

Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; dismissal.

SUMMARY: This document dismisses a

petition filed on behalf of Santa Cruz

Broadcasting proposing the allotment of

FM Channel 263A to Sonoita, Arizona,

as that locality’s first local aural

transmission service. Petitioner

withdrew its interest in pursuing the

proposal. See 65 FR 67690, November

13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications

Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nancy Joyner, Mass Media Bureau, (202)

418–2180.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a

synopsis of the Commission’s Report

and Order, MM Docket No. 00–210,

adopted January 31, 2001, and released

February 9, 2001. The full text of this

Commission decision is available for

inspection and copying during normal

business hours in the FCC’s Reference

Information Center (Room CY–A257),

445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington,

DC. The complete text of this decision

may also be purchased from the

Commission’s copy contractor,

International Transcription Service,

Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW.,

Washington, DC 20036, (202) 857–3800.

Federal Communications Commission.

John A. Karousos,

Chief, Allocations Branch, Policy and Rules

Division, Mass Media Bureau.

[FR Doc. 01–4729 Filed 2–26–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712–01–U

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018–AG38

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

and Plants; Reopening of Public

Comment Period and Notice of

Availability of Draft Economic Analysis

for Proposed Critical Habitat

Determination for the Spruce-Fir Moss

Spider; Correction

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,

Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of

reopening of public comment period

and availability of draft economic

analysis; correction.

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife

Service, announced on February 12,

2001, the availability of the draft

economic analysis for the proposed

designation of critical habitat for the

spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura

montivaga). We also provided notice

that the public comment period for the

proposal is reopened to allow all

interested parties to submit written

comments on the proposal and the draft

economic analysis. However, the

proposed rule incorrectly stated that

comments would be accepted until

April 13, 2001. The close of comment

period should be March 14, 2001.

DATES: We will accept comments on the

proposal and the draft economic

analysis until March 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft

economic analysis are available on the

Internet at http://southeast.fws.gov/

hotissues/hot_index.html or by writing

to or calling the State Supervisor,

Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street,

Asheville, North Carolina 28801;

telephone 828/258–3939.

If you wish to comment, you may

submit your comments by any one of

several methods:

1. You may submit written comments

and information to the State Supervisor,

Asheville Field Office, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street,

Asheville, North Carolina 28801.

2. You may hand-deliver written

comments to our Asheville Field Office,

at the above address or fax your

comments to 828/258–5330.

3. You may send comments by

electronic mail (e-mail) to

john_fridell@fws.gov. For directions on

how to submit electronic filing of

comments, see the ‘‘Public Comments

Solicited’’ section.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2001 / Proposed Rules 12451

Comments and materials received, as

well as supporting documentation used

in preparation of this proposed rule,

will be available for public inspection,

by appointment, during normal business

hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John

A. Fridell, Fish and Wildlife Biologist

(see ADDRESSES section).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

February 12, 2001, we published a

proposed rule in the Federal Register

announcing the reopening of the public

comment period and notice of

availability of draft economic analysis

for the proposed critical habitat

determination for the spruce-fir moss

spider. The DATES caption stated that

comments should be submitted on or

before April 13, 2001. The correct date

for accepting comments from all

interested parties is on or before March

14, 2001.

Accordingly, make the following

correction to FR Doc. 01–2270

published at 66 FR 9806, on February

12, 2001:

On page 9807, in column one, correct

the DATES caption to read as follows:

DATES: Interested parties must submit

comments on or before March 14, 2001.

Dated: February 14, 2001.

Sam D. Hamilton,

Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 01–4718 Filed 2–26–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 600

[I.D. 021501A]

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;

General Provisions for Domestic

Fisheries; Application for Exempted

Fishing Permits (EFPs)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Notification of a proposal for

EFPs to conduct experimental fishing;

request for comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the

Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS

(Regional Administrator), has made a

preliminary determination to issue an

EFP that would allow one vessel to

conduct fishing operations otherwise

restricted by the regulations governing

the fisheries of the Northeastern United

States. The Haskin Shellfish Research

Laboratory submitted a complete

application for the issuance of an EFP

to one commercial fishing vessel. The

EFP would allow one federally

permitted vessel to conduct side-by-side

tows with the R/V Albatross using a 6-

cm codend mesh. No species will be

targeted by the study, since the vessel

will be following the random survey

protocol used by the R/V Albatross.

However, the nets will be fished to

maximize the catch of summer flounder,

scup and black sea bass on Leg I, and

silver hake on Leg II. The purpose of

this study is to provide information on

the relative catchability of the two

platforms and gears fished during the

NMFS Spring Trawl Survey.

Regulations under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and

Management Act require publication of

this notification to provide interested

parties the opportunity to comment on

applications for proposed EFPs.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be

received at the appropriate address or

fax number (see ADDRESSES) on or before

March 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should

be sent to Patricia Kurkul, Regional

Administrator, NMFS, Northeast

Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive,

Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside

of the envelope ‘‘Comments on EFP

Proposal.’’ Comments may also be sent

via facsimile (fax) to (978) 281–9135.

Comments will not be accepted if

submitted via e-mail or Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Allison Ferreira, Fishery Management

Specialist, 978–281–9103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory

submitted an industry cooperative

proposal on February 2, 2001, for one

EFP to conduct side-by-side tows

between the R/V ALBATROSS and a

fishing vessel during the NMFS Spring

Trawl Survey. The study addresses the

concern that the spring survey may not

adequately assess the proportion of large

fish in the population.

The study will occur on Legs I and II

of the NMFS Spring Trawl Survey. Leg

I of the spring survey is scheduled to

begin on February 26, 2001. The study

will take place during the first 4 to 5

days of the cruise when the R/V

Albatross will occupy about 34 stations

on the outer shelf and the shelf edge

from Hudson Canyon to just north of

Cape Hatteras. Some of these stations

may occur inside the Southern Gear

Restricted Area (GRA). Leg II is

scheduled to begin on March 15, 2001.

On this Leg, the study will take place

when the R/V Albatross occupies

stations south of Long Island and

Massachusetts, on the outer half of the

shelf. This part of the study will occupy

19 stations and last about 3 days.

Because the spring survey is conducted

24 hours a day, the industry vessel will

have a minimum of four science

personnel working two 12-hour shifts of

two individuals each.

This study involves Haskin Shellfish

Research Laboratory, with funding

provided by the NFI Scientific

Monitoring Committee. The objective of

the study is to conduct side-by-side

tows between an industry vessel and the

R/V Albatross to provide information on

the relative catchability of the two

platforms and gears fished during the

spring survey. The potential outcomes

of the study include: (1) An improved

assessment of the population size

frequency for many commercial species,

(2) a boundary condition on the value

used as an estimation of catchability in

fisheries models, (3) improved estimates

of the size-dependency of catchability

for the survey gear, (4) improved

estimates of spawning stock biomass

(SSB) from understanding the bias in

catchablity in the survey, (5) an

increased number of samples for lengthweight and length-at-age studies for key

species, and (6) potential groundwork

for using industry vessels to increase the

number of stations occupied in the

survey for those species presently

sampled with inadequate intensity.

In order to accomplish the objectives

of this study, a trawl with a 6-cm

codend mesh will be towed in unison

and parallel to the survey trawls being

conducted by the R/V Albatross. In

areas where there is a large depth

gradient, the industry vessel will tow aft

of the R/V Albatross. To keep the survey

program on schedule, tow times, not

tow distances, will remain the same

between the two vessels, since it is

likely that the towing speed for the R/

VAlbatross will exceed that of the

industry vessel.

Since the primary objective of the

study is to improve size frequency

information, the project aims to take

length measurements of all fish caught

using standard observer protocols.

However, species will be measured in

order of importance (i.e., summer

flounder, scup, squid, black sea bass,

and whiting), or subsampled by size, if

the limited number of crews are unable

to measure all fish. Individual weight

measurements and samples for aging

will not be taken, but NMFS may

establish certain target species for which

weight measurements and aging

samples should be taken. These fish will

be segregated and transferred to the

R/V Albatross, when appropriate.