Alternatively, you can send your comments to Ms. Wieting by fax. NMFS has not granted the public a hearing on this issue, but it at least holds out the possibility. To get one, it is essential that you write or fax Ms. Wieting at NMFS by 3 April. LFA, like any complex issue, raises more than a few questions for discussion and debate-but don't feel that you have to comment on every aspect of the program. The fact is that NMFS, in making its decision, will probably put greater weight on comments that are thoughtful and detailed about a specific topic than on comments that are comprehensive but sketchy.
All comments are extremely valuable in demonstrating a strong public interest.
In general, comments should relate to the legal standards described above. Any comments you write, on just about any topic, would certainly benefit from reading the appropriate section of this impact statement. Alternatively, you can contact Marine Acoustics, Inc., the private contractor that helped prepare the document. Please be sure to put in your request as soon as possible, since the document could take more than one week to arrive. And, if you can, please copy us on any comments that you send.