        DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
         Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
        49 CFR Part 395
        [Docket No. FMCSA-2012-0183]
        Hours of Service of Drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles; Regulatory Guidance for Oil Field Exception

          AGENCY:
          Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

          ACTION:
          Notice of public listening session.

          SUMMARY:

          FMCSA announces that it will hold its third and final public listening session to receive comments on the Agency's June 5, 2012, notice concerning regulatory guidance on the applicability of the oilfield operations exceptions in the hours-of-service regulations. In an August 6, 2012, Federal Register notice, the Agency extended the deadline for public comments from August 6 to October 5, 2012. As with the previous sessions, the Dallas listening session will be open to the public and webcast in its entirety.

          DATES:
          This listening session will be held on September, 27, 2012, in Dallas, TX, at the Hyatt Regency DFW, 2334 North International Parkway, P.O. Box 619014, DFW Airport, Texas 75261, Telephone: (972) 453-1234, Fax: (972) 615-6826. The listening session will begin at 1:00 p.m., local time, and end at 5:30 p.m. local time, or earlier if all participants wishing to comment have expressed their views. Written comments to the docket must be received on or before October 5, 2012.

          ADDRESSES:

          The September 27, 2012, listening session will be held at the Hyatt Regency DFW, 2334 North International Parkway, P.O. Box 619014, DFW Airport, Texas 75261, Telephone: 972-453-1234, Fax: 972-615-6826.

            Internet Address for Alternative Media Broadcasts During and Immediately After the Listening Session. FMCSA will post specific information on how to participate via the Internet and telephone on the FMCSA Web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

          You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket Management System Number FMCSA-2012-0183 by any of the following methods:
          • Web site: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the Federal electronic docket site.
          • Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
          • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, Room W-12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
          • Hand Delivery: Ground Floor, Room W12-140, DOT Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

          All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number. For detailed instruction on submitting comments and additional information, see the “Public Participation” heading below. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the “Privacy Act” heading below.

            Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or to Room W12-140, DOT Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

            Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on December 29, 2010 (75 FR 82133), or you may visit www.regulations.gov.

            Public Participation: The www.regulations.gov Web site is generally available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You can obtain electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines under the “help” section of that Web site, and at DOT's http://docketsinfo.dot.gov Web site. If you want us to notify you that we received your comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments online.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          For the regulatory guidance issued on June 5, 2012, concerning oilfield hours-of-service exceptions: Mr. Thomas Yager, Chief, Driver and Carrier Operations Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, phone (202) 366-4325, email MCPSD@dot.gov. For the listening sessions: Ms. Shannon Watson, Senior Advisor to the Associate Administrator for Policy, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, phone (202) 385-2395, email shannon.watson@dot.gov.

          If you need sign language assistance to participate in a listening session, please contact Ms. Watson no later than 10 days prior to the listening session.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

        Background
        On June 5, 2012, FMCSA published a notice in the Federal Register concerning regulatory guidance about the “oilfield operations” exceptions in 49 CFR 395.1(d)(77 FR 33098). The regulatory guidance, effective June 5, 2012, was issued to ensure consistent understanding and application of the regulatory exceptions. Several groups or organizations have requested that the Agency extend the comment period and consider holding a listening session(s). On August 6, 2012, the FMCSA announced (1) an extension of the comment period for the submission of written comments in response to the June 5, 2012, notice, and (2) listening sessions on the regulatory guidance. The previous two listening sessions were held on August 17, 2012, in Denver, CO, and on August 21, 2012, in Pittsburgh, PA. This represents the third and final listening session on this issue.
        Listening Session
        The listening session is open to the public. Speakers are not required to preregister but should limit their remarks to 5 minutes. The public may submit material to the FMCSA staff at the session for inclusion in the docket, FMCSA-2012-0183.
        Alternative Media Broadcasts During and Immediately After the Listening Session

        FMCSA will provide webcast information for the listening session. Prior to the session, the Agency will post the Web address for the live webcast and instructions on how to participate at FMCSA's Web site, www.fmcsa.dot.gov. After the listening session, FMCSA will place a full transcript of the listening session in the docket referenced at the beginning of this notice.

          Issued on: September 11, 2012.
           Larry W. Minor,
          Associate Administrator for Policy.

      [FR Doc. 2012-22880 Filed 9-14-12; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P


        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        50 CFR Part 660
        [I.D. 030702C]
        RIN 0648-AM97
        Fisheries of West Coast States and in the Western Pacific;  Fishery Management Plan

          AGENCY:
          National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

          ACTION:
          Notice of availability of a fishery management plan; request for comments.

          SUMMARY:
          NMFS announces that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted a Coral Reef Ecosystems Fishery Management Plan for the Western Pacific Region (CREFMP) for Secretarial review under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).  The CREFMP, an ecosystem-based plan, is intended to conserve and manage the coral reef ecosystems and associated habitats in the U.S. exclusive economic zones (EEZ) around American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the remote U.S. Pacific island areas (PRIAs) in the Pacific Ocean.  Its goal is to maintain sustainable coral reef fisheries while protecting stocks, habitat, protected species, and coral reef ecosystems from adverse impacts.

          DATES:
          Comments on the CREFMP must be received no later than 5 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time May 17, 2002.

          ADDRESSES:
          Written comments should be sent to Dr. Charles Karnella, Administrator, Pacific Islands Area Office, NMFS, 1161 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 110, Honolulu, HI  96815.  Comments will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the Internet.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Ms. Kitty Simonds, Executive Director, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, at (808) 522-8220.  The CREFMP is available at the Council’s website, www.wpcouncil.org.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        As authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Council has developed and submitted for Secretarial review a CREFMP and associated amendments to the fishery management plans for western Pacific bottomfish and seamount groundfish fisheries (Amendment 7), crustacean fisheries (Amendment 11), precious coral fisheries (Amendment 5,) and pelagic fisheries (Amendment 10).  The CREFMP is an ecosystem-based fishery management plan that covers the coral reef ecosystems and adjacent marine habitats in the EEZ around American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii (main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands or NWHI), CNMI, and the mostly uninhabited PRIAs.  The PRIAs consist of Johnston and Palmyra Atolls, Kingman Reef, Jarvis, Howland, Baker and Wake Islands, and Midway Atoll.  The vast majority of the total area covered by coral reefs under U.S. jurisdiction is located in the western Pacific region and would be covered by this FMP.
        Development of the CREFMP began in 1996.  The Council held scoping hearings in June 1999 to obtain public input on a new fishery management plan.  On January 10, 2001, NMFS published a Notice of Availability (66 FR 1945) of a draft CREFMP.  Public meetings and hearings were held on the draft CREFMP between January 16 and February 5, 2001.  At its 110th meeting (June 21, 2001), the Council took final action on the FMP and approved its submission to NMFS for Secretarial review.

        The conservation and management measures would:  (1) Establish no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) (where the harvest of any management unit species listed under any FMP is prohibited) within Federal waters from 0-50 fathoms (fm) (0-50 91.5 m) (around French Frigate Shoals and Laysan Island (NWHI), Rose Atoll (American Samoa), the north half of Midway Atoll,  Jarvis, Howland, and Baker Islands, and Kingman Reef (PRIAs), and from 0-10 fm throughout the remaining NWHI, except around Midway Atoll; (2) establish low-use MPAs (where the harvest of CREFMP management unit species is allowed on a case-by-case basis only after a review and determination that proposed activities would not harm the ecosystem) within Federal waters from 10-50 fm (18.3 m-91.5 m) around all other NWHI, and from 0-50 fm (0-91.5 m)   around Palmyra, Johnston, and Wake, and the south half of Midway Atoll; (3) require special permits for the harvesting of any CREFMP management unit species in low-use MPAs, and for the harvesting of Potentially Harvested Coral Reef Taxa throughout the EEZ, except for (a) Incidental harvests by other western Pacific fisheries management plan permit holders and, (b) any harvest within three nautical miles (nm) of the CNMI; (4) restrict the use of fishing gear types to allow only the following gears for the directed harvest of any CREFMP management unit species throughout the EEZ:  Hand harvest, spear, slurp gun, hand/dip net, hoop net for Kona crab, throw net, barrier net for aquarium fish, surround/purse net for targeted schools (e.g., akule, baitfish, weke) with a minimum of bycatch, hook-and-line (including powered and unpowered handlines, rod and reel, and trolling), traps (with conditions), and remote operating vehicles/submersibles; (5) prohibit nighttime spearfishing for CREFMP management unit species with SCUBA/hookah in the EEZ around the NWHI and PRIAs; (6) require that nets be attended at all times, except hoop nets for Kona crabs; (7) require that all traps on board a vessel must be permanently and legibly marked to identify the owner; (8) prohibit the take of live rock or live coral throughout the western Pacific EEZ, except for (a) incidental take by other fishery management plan permit holders, (b) take by indigenous people for traditional or ceremonial use, (c) use by aquaculture operations as seed stock, (d) science and management, and (e) bio-prospecting (note: takes of live coral or live coral under exceptions (b)-(e) require special permits); (9) require that all fishing vessels (including those permitted under fishery management plans for bottomfish/seamount ground fish, crustaceans, precious corals, pelagic) carry insurance as a condition for transiting or operating in all MPAs; (10) establish a no-anchoring zone on Guam’s offshore Southern banks by fishing vessels greater than 50 ft (15.24 m) in length; (11) establish Federal reporting requirements (daily reports on catch, effort, discards, etc.) for special permit holders and transhipment permit holders, as well as notification requirements for vessel operators prior to entering any low-use MPA, or landing CREFMP management unit species harvested from these low-use MPAs; and (12) establish CREFMP framework procedures to facilitate implementation of future regulatory amendments.
        The Council initially identified some measures for possible framework action:  (a) Designating zones in the U.S. EEZ where mooring buoys will be installed to protect essential fish habitat (EFH) from anchor damage; (b) requiring fishing vessels to carry remote electronic vessel monitoring systems as part of an effective monitoring and enforcement system for State and Federal agencies; (c) requiring permits to fish for Currently Harvested Coral Reef Taxa throughout the EEZ, in the event that regional management is determined to be inadequate to protect the species and/or ecosystem; (d) transferring CREFMP management unit species from the Potentially Harvested Coral Reef Taxa list to the Currently Harvested Coral Reef Taxa list when sufficient information has been gathered; and (e) designating a percentage of low-use MPA waters for sole use by indigenous people.
        The CREFMP also contains non-regulatory measures consistent with CREFMP objectives that would be undertaken by the Council outside of the regulatory regime.  These include a process and criteria for EFH consultations; formal plan team coordination to identify and to address coral reef ecosystem impacts from existing fishery management plan fisheries; a system to facilitate consistent state and territorial level management; and research and education efforts.
        [Note: Executive Order 13178 (December 4, 2000) and Executive Order 13196 (January 18, 2001) designated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (Reserve) in those ocean waters that lie within 50 nm of the NWHI, excluding state waters and waters within the boundaries of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.  In compliance with Executive Order 13178 and Executive Order 13196, within the Reserve, NOAA is implementing a comprehensive management regime to govern fishing and protect coral reef resources.  Because the CREFMP contains management measures governing activity in, among other areas, the same geographic area as the Reserve and several of those measures conflict with the management regime already existing pursuant to the NWHI Reserve established by  Executive Order 13178 and Executive Order 13196, the Secretary of Commerce is likely to partially disapprove those parts of the CREFMP that govern fishing in the NWHI.]
        Public comments on CREFMP must be received by May 17, 2002, to be considered by NMFS in the decision whether to approve the CREFMP.  A proposed rule to implement CREFMP has been submitted for Secretarial review and approval.  NMFS expects to publish and request comments on the proposed regulations to implement CREFMP in the near future.

          Authority:
          16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

          Dated: March 12, 2002.
          Bruce C. Morehead,
          Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

      [FR Doc. 02-6469  Filed 3-15-02; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE  3510-22-S


        DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
        Fish and Wildlife Service
        50 CFR Part 16
        RIN 1018-AG70
        Injurious Wildlife Species; Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus); Extension of Comment Period

          AGENCY:
          Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

          SUMMARY:

          We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, extend the comment period on a proposed rule to add all forms of live black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), including gametes and viable eggs, to the list of injurious fish under the Lacey Act and on the draft environmental assessment and draft economic analysis prepared in association with the proposed rule.

          DATES:
          Comments must be submitted on or before December 16, 2005.

          ADDRESSES:

          The analyses are available from the Chief, Division of Environmental Quality, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 322, Arlington, Virginia 22203; FAX (703) 358-1800. They also are available on our Web page at http://contaminants.fws.gov/Issues/InvasiveSpecies.cfm. Comments may be hand-delivered, mailed, or sent by fax to the address listed above. Alternatively, you may send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to: BlackCarp@fws.gov. See the Public Comments Solicited section below for file format and other information about electronic filing.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Erin Williams, Division of Environmental Quality, Branch of Invasive Species, at (703) 358-2034 or erin_williams@fws.gov.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        Background

        In February 2000, we were petitioned to list black carp as an injurious wildlife species under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42). On July 30, 2002 (67 FR 49280), we published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to add all forms (diploid and triploid) of live black carp to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans under the Lacey Act. The comment period on the proposed rule closed on September 30, 2002. On June 4, 2003 (68 FR 33431), we reopened the comment period until August 4, 2003. We received 103 comments during the first two comment periods.
        On August 30, 2005 (70 FR 51326), we announced the availability for public comment of a draft environmental assessment and draft economic analysis for the proposed rule and reopened the comment period on the proposed rule. The purpose of the draft environmental assessment is to evaluate three alternatives associated with the proposed rule; the purpose of the draft economic analysis is to analyze the potential economic impact if the proposed rule were adopted as published. The comment period on the proposed rule, draft environmental assessment, and draft economic analysis is set to close October 31, 2005.

        Because of requests received from the public, we are hereby extending the comment period until December 16, 2005. As stated in the August 30, 2005, Federal Register document, we are particularly interested in data and comments on alternatively listing the diploid (fertile) form only. Please refer to that document for further information. Comments already submitted on the proposed rule need not be resubmitted as they will be fully considered in our decisionmaking.
        Public Comments Solicited
        Submit data and comments as identified in ADDRESSES. If you submit documentation by e-mail, please submit it as an ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters and encryption. Please include “Attn: [RIN 1018-AG70]” in your e-mail subject line and your name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your e-mail message, contact us directly by calling our office at telephone number 703-358-2148 during normal business hours. Please note that this e-mail address will be closed at the termination of the public comment period.

          Authority:
          18 U.S.C. 42.

          Dated: October 19, 2005.
          Paul Hoffman,
          Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

      [FR Doc. 05-21440 Filed 10-26-05; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 4310-55-P


        ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
        40 CFR Part 300
        [EPA-HQ-SFUND-1986-0005; FRL-9451-2]
        National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan National Priorities List: Deletion of the Pasley Solvents & Chemicals, Inc. Superfund Site

          AGENCY:
          Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule.

          SUMMARY:
          EPA, Region 2, is issuing a Notice of Intent to Delete the Pasley Solvents & Chemicals, Inc Superfund Site (Site) located in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this proposed action. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an Appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). EPA and the State of New York, through the Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.

          DATES:
          Comments must be received by September 12, 2011.

          ADDRESSES:
          Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-SFUND-1986-0005, by one of the following methods:
          • Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
          • E-mail: henry.sherrel@epa.gov.

          • Fax: To the attention of Sherrel Henry at 212-637-3966.

            Mail: Sherrel Henry, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, 290 Broadway, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866.
          • Hand delivery: Superfund Records Center, 290 Broadway, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866 (telephone: 212-637-4308). Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

            Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-SFUND-1986-0005. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the Docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or via e-mail. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comments. If you send comments to EPA via e-mail, your e-mail address will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the Docket and made available on the Web site. If you submit electronic comments, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comments and with any disks or CD-ROMs that you submit. If EPA cannot read your comments due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comments. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption and should be free of any defects or viruses.

            Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in the hard copy. Publicly available Docket materials can be viewed electronically at http://www.regulations.gov or obtained in hard copy at: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, Superfund Records Center, 290 Broadway, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866.

            Phone: 212-637-4308.

            Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
          Information for the Site is also available for viewing at the Site Administrative Record Repositories located at: Levittown Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown, New York 11756.

            Tel. (516) 731-5728.

            Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. through 9 p.m.

            Saturday: 9: a.m. through 5 p.m.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Sherrel D. Henry, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, 290 Broadway, 20th Floor, NY, NY 10007-1866, (212) 637-4273, by electronic mail at henry. sherrel@epa.gov.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        In the “Rules and Regulations” Section of today's Federal Register, we are publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Site without prior Notice of Intent to Delete because we view this as a noncontroversial revision and anticipate no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this deletion in the preamble to the direct final Notice of Deletion. If we receive no adverse comment(s) on this Notice of Intent to Delete or the direct final Notice of Deletion, we will not take further action on this Notice of Intent to Delete. If we receive adverse comment(s), we will withdraw the direct final Notice of Deletion and it will not take effect. We will, as appropriate, address all public comments in a subsequent final Deletion Notice based on this Notice of Intent to Delete. We will not institute a second comment period on this Notice of Intent to Delete. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time.

        For additional information, see the direct final Notice of Deletion, which is located in the “Rules” section of this Federal Register.

          List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300
          Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous waste, Hazardous substances, Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Superfund, Water pollution control, Water supply.

          Authority:
           33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 9601-9657; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193.

           Dated: August 5, 2011.
          Judith A. Enck,
          Regional Administrator, EPA, Region 2.

      [FR Doc. 2011-20588 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
        Coast Guard
        46 CFR Part 2
        [Docket No. USCG-2010-0245]
        RIN 1625-ZA28
        Updates to Vessel Inspection Fees

          AGENCY:
          Coast Guard, DHS.

          ACTION:
          Notice of inquiry; request for information.

          SUMMARY:
          The Coast Guard seeks public comment on updating vessel inspection fees. The Coast Guard, by regulation, establishes inspection fees for U.S. commercial vessels required to maintain a Certificate of Inspection and foreign tankships and mobile offshore drilling units required to maintain a Certificate of Compliance. This includes overseas inspection and examination fees. The Coast Guard is considering options for updating and/or restructuring these inspection fees to ensure their adequacy and equity, and for adapting to changes that have occurred since they were last modified in 1998. The Coast Guard seeks information on factors to consider when updating these fees.

          DATES:

          Comments and related material must either be submitted to our online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before March 1, 2011 or reach the Docket Management Facility by that date.

          ADDRESSES:
          You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2010-0245 using any one of the following methods:
          (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
            http://www.regulations.gov.

          (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
          (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington DC 20590-0001.
          (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

          To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the “Request for Information” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          If you have questions on this notice of inquiry, call or e-mail Lieutenant Commander Alan Moore, U.S. Coast Guard, at telephone: 202-372-1231 or e-mail: Alan.H.Moore@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call  Ms. Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, at telephone: 202-366-9826.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

        Request for Information

        We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided.

          Submitting comments and information: If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice of inquiry (USCG-2010-0245), and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.
        To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, enter “USCG-2010-0245” in the “Keyword” box, and click “Search.” Then, click on the “Submit a Comment” link. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period.

          Viewing comments and documents: To view comments, and other documents available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, enter “USCG-2010-0245” in the “Keyword” box, and click “Search.” If you do not have access to the Internet, you may view the docket by visiting the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

          Privacy Act: Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).
        Background and Purpose
        In the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508, November 5, 1990) Congress amended 46 U.S.C. 2110 by removing long-standing prohibitions against imposing certain inspection fees. Congress also directed the Coast Guard to establish inspection fees to recover costs associated with providing Coast Guard vessel inspection services.
        On December 18, 1991, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) (56 FR 65786) on Direct User Fees for Inspection or Examination of U.S. and Foreign Commercial Vessels. A correction to the proposed rule (56 FR 66766) was issued on December 24, 1991, adding Appendix A, a summary of the preliminary Regulatory Evaluation. Following publication of the NPRM, the Coast Guard received 1,092 written comments and 176 statements from participants at public meetings. All segments of the maritime industry generally objected to the proposed imposition of any inspection fees for the inspection of their vessels.
        On March 13, 1995, the Coast Guard published a final rule on Direct User Fees for Inspection or Examination of U.S. and Foreign Commercial Vessels (60 FR 13550). Through this final rule, Coast Guard added a new subpart 2.10, Fees, to Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 2.
        On April 21, 1997, as required by the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996, the Coast Guard published an interim rule titled Vessel Inspection User Fees (62 FR 19229) that reduced annual vessel inspection fees for small passenger vessels and excluded publicly owned ferries from payment of vessel inspection fees. The interim rule also revised the existing discretionary exemption criteria to allow additional vessels to qualify for exemptions from the annual fee. The Coast Guard published the final rule (63 FR 59472) on November 4, 1998, adding several new definitions and amending the exemptions section to exclude inspection fees for qualifying vessels owned or operated by certain non-profit organizations.
        Currently, the Coast Guard collects inspection fees to recover the costs of providing vessel inspection services in support of commercial vessels required to have Certificates of Inspection (COIs) (for U.S. vessels) or Certificates of Compliance (COCs) (for foreign vessels) in order to meet statutory and regulatory requirements. Additional fees are required for inspections and examinations conducted at overseas locations.
        The inspection fee amounts have not been updated since 1998. Office of Management and Budget Circular Number A-25 directs a biennial review of inspection fees. The Coast Guard completed its last review on May 30, 2008. That review, which is available in the docket, accounted for various inflations and revealed that the cost associated with marine inspection services exceeds the inspection fees collected, which have not been adjusted since 1998. Based on this review, the Coast Guard is considering adjusting its vessel inspection fees.
        Because there have been many changes since the last update to 46 CFR part 2, subpart 2.10, Fees, both in the maritime industry and in the Coast Guard's commercial vessel inspection program, the Coast Guard is seeking public input on any such update. This notice of inquiry and request for information seeks public comment and information to aid the Coast Guard in updating and/or restructuring vessel inspection fees.
        With some exceptions, the current vessel inspection fees are assigned based on vessel service and length. The Coast Guard designed this fee structure based on these factors to offset the Coast Guard's cost of providing vessel inspection services. The vessel inspection and fee categories were derived from inspection activity data during the years 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990, and included the contemporary program costs associated with conducting vessel inspection and examination activities by Coast Guard personnel. The current annual vessel inspection fee structure is shown in the table below, as set forth in 46 CFR 2.10-101. Section 2.10-101 covers U.S. vessel inspection fees plus other fees charged for foreign tankships and foreign mobile offshore drilling units trading in U.S. ports. Subpart 2.10 also sets forth fees for inspections conducted at overseas locations.
        Certain inspection fees have been capped by statute; the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 limited the amount of fees that may be charged to small passenger vessels as defined in Title 46 CFR 2.10-25, and the Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1990 limited the annual vessel inspection fee for non-self propelled tank barges. In any update to 46 CFR part 2, subpart 2.10, the Coast Guard does not intend to make any changes to these capped fees or to any currently excluded or exempted category vessels despite being required to maintain a COI. For convenience, the table in 46 CFR 2.101 listing inspection fees has been reproduced below.

          Table 2.10-101—Annual Vessel Inspection Fees for U.S. And Foreign Vessels Requiring a Certificate of Inspection

            Any inspected vessel not listed in this table
            $1,030

            Freight barges:

            Length not greater than 150 feet
            495

            More than 150 feet but not more than 300 feet
            610

            More than 300 feet
            955

            Freight ships:

            Length not greater than 100 feet
            1,425

            More than 100 feet but not more than 300 feet
            1,870

            More than 300 feet
            5,410

            Industrial Vessels:

            Length not greater than 200 feet
            1,435

            More than 200 feet
            2,550

            Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs):

            Drill ship MODUs
            6,710

            Submersible MODUs
            4,695

            Self-elevating MODUs
            4,695

            Semi-submersible MODUs
            8,050

            Nautical School Vessels:

            Length not greater than 100 feet
            835

            More than 100 feet but not more than 200 feet
            1,450

            More than 200 feet
            7,205

            Oceanographic Research Vessels:

            Length not greater than 170 feet
            840

            More than 170 feet but not more than 240 feet
            1,980

            More than 240 feet
            3,610

            Offshore Supply Vessels:

            Length not greater than 140 feet
            1,135

            More than 140 feet
            1,470

            Offshore Supply Vessels: Alternate Reinspection Program

            Length not greater than 140 feet
            940

            More than 140 feet
            1,260

            Passenger Barges:

            Less than 100 gross tons and:

            Less than 65 feet in length
            300

            65 feet or more in length
            600

            100 gross tons or more and:

            Certified for fewer than 150 passengers
            2,215

            Certified for 150 or more passengers
            2,525

            Passenger Ships:

            Length not greater than 250 feet:

            Certified for fewer than 150 passengers
            3,600

            Certified for 150 or more passengers
            4,050

            More than 250 feet but not more than 350 feet
            5,330

            More than 350 feet but not more than 450 feet
            6,835

            More than 450 feet
            14,650

            Sailing School Vessels:

            Length not greater than 30 feet
            530

            More than 30 feet but not more than 65 feet
            560

            More than 65 feet
            980

            Sea-going Towing Vessels
            2,915

            Small Passenger Vessels:

            Less than 65 feet in length
            300

            65 feet or more in length
            600

            Tank Barges
            500

            Tankships:

            Length not greater than 100 feet
            1,295

            More than 100 feet but not more than 300 feet
            2,310

            More than 300 feet
            5,805

            Liquefied Gas Tankships
            12,120

        Fees generated by 46 CFR part 2, subpart 2.10 are deposited in the general fund of the U.S. Treasury as offsetting receipts of the Department of Homeland Security and are assigned generally to Coast Guard activities. The Coast Guard does not directly benefit from the collection of inspection fees. The Coast Guard's intent, during any update to subpart 2.10, is to consider viable options for updating and/or restructuring the inspection fees listed above to ensure their adequacy and equity, plus to adapt to changes that have occurred since inspection fee amounts were last modified in 1998. It is expected that any update to subpart 2.10 will ensure a more comprehensive, equitable, and current inspection fee structure.
        Request for Information
        Through this notice of inquiry, the Coast Guard asks for comments and information to consider in updating vessel inspection fees. Please consider the following questions when preparing comments:
        • Should the Coast Guard restructure the current vessel inspection fees?
        • What factors, such as length, tonnage, type of vessel, inspection time, type of service, number of crew, number of passengers, or length of operating season, should be considered in restructuring the vessel inspection fees?
        • How often or at what frequency should inspection fees be adjusted?
        • Should the fee be indexed based on economic measures?
        • Should the fee be a direct bill based on the inspection type and frequency (to include and not be limited to separate fees for annual inspections, periodic inspections, re-examinations, hull examinations, and deficiency follow-ups) based on program costs and Coast Guard personnel hours incurred?
        • Should the Coast Guard impose fees on a vessel based upon the number of visits to complete the inspection or examination?
        • Should vessel owners or operators apply annually for exemptions and waivers?
        • Should the Coast Guard apply inspection fees to new construction vessels and associated plan review?
        • Should the Coast Guard apply inspection fees to vessels undergoing major alterations where new plan review and onsite verification is required?

        • Should separate fees be developed for vessels enrolled in the Alternate Compliance and Streamlined Inspection Programs under Title 46 CFR Part 8—Vessel Inspection Alternatives?
        This notice of inquiry is issued under authority of 46 U.S.C. 3305, 46 U.S.C. 3306, Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

          Dated: September 10, 2010.
          Kevin S. Cook,
          Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Prevention Policy.

      [FR Doc. 2010-30151 Filed 11-30-10; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        50 CFR Part 648
        [I.D. 102006A]
        New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils; Public Hearings

          AGENCY:
          National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

          ACTION:
          Notice of public hearings; request for comments.

          SUMMARY:
          The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) will convene public hearings and seek public comment on a draft amendment to all the fishery management plans (FMPs) under their purview. The omnibus amendment would establish standardized bycatch reporting methodology (SBRM) for each FMP, as required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

          DATES:

          The public hearings will be on November 14, 2006, in Gloucester, MA, and December 12, 2006, in New York City, NY. Written comments must be received at the appropriate address, e-mail address, or fax number (see ADDRESSES) by 5 p.m., local time, on December 29, 2006.

          ADDRESSES:

          NMFS and the Councils will accept comments at two public hearings. For specific locations, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. You may submit comments on the draft amendment by any of the following methods:
          • E-mail: SBRMcomment@noaa.gov

          • Through the Federal eRulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Reference I.D. 102006A.
          • Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries Service, Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope: “Comments on SBRM Amendment.”
          • Fax: (978) 281-9135, Attention: Patricia A. Kurkul.

          Copies of the draft SBRM amendment and the public hearing document may be obtained by contacting the NMFS Northeast Regional Office at the above address. The documents are also available via the internet at: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs/com.html.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Michael Pentony, Senior Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-6283.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        Section 303(a)(11) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires each FMP to include provisions establishing “a standardized reporting methodology to assess the amount and type of bycatch occurring in the fishery.” The Councils and NMFS are considering an omnibus amendment to establish an SBRM or modify existing SBRMs under every Northeast Region FMP. The purpose of the amendment is to explain the methods and processes by which bycatch is currently monitored and assessed for Northeast Region fisheries, to determine whether these methods and processes need to be modified and/or supplemented, to establish standards of precision for bycatch estimation for all Northeast Region fisheries and, thereby, to document the SBRM established for all fisheries managed through the FMPs of the Northeast Region. The scope of the omnibus amendment is limited to those fisheries prosecuted in the Federal waters of the Northeast Region and managed through an FMP developed by either the Mid-Atlantic or New England Council.
        Alternatives under consideration in the omnibus SBRM amendment address bycatch reporting and monitoring mechanisms, analytical techniques and allocation of at-sea fishery observers, establishment of a target level for precision of bycatch estimates, and requirements for reviewing and reporting on the efficacy of the SBRM. NMFS and the Councils will consider all comments received on the draft SBRM amendment and the alternatives for incorporation into the final document until the end of the comment period on December 29, 2006. The public will have several additional opportunities to comment on the SBRM. The final amendment will be considered for approval by the Councils at public meetings in February of 2007. Once submitted to NMFS, the final SBRM Amendment will be made available for public review and comment, and regulations will be proposed for review and comment in March 2007.
        Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations
        The public hearings have been scheduled to coincide with the date and location of New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meetings.
        Tuesday, November 14, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. - Tavern on the Harbor, 30 Western Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930, telephone: (978) 283-4200.
        Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at 7 p.m. - Skyline Hotel, 725 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019, telephone: (212) 586-3400.
        Special Accommodations

        These hearings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids at the Gloucester, MA, meeting should be directed to Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Requests for such services at the New York, NY, meeting should be directed to M. Jan Saunders, (302) 674 2331 extension 18. Requests for accessibility accommodations must be received at least at least 5 days prior to the meeting dates.

          Authority:
          16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

          Dated: October 25, 2006.
          Alan D. Risenhoover,
          Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

      [FR Doc. E6-18286 Filed 10-30-06; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        50 CFR Part 660
        [I.D. 092004A]
        Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings

          AGENCY:
          National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

          ACTION:
          Notice of public meetings and hearings.

          SUMMARY:
          The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 124th meeting to consider and take actions on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.  A meeting of the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will also be held.

          DATES:

          The 87th SSC meeting will be held on October 5-7, 2004. The 124th Council meeting and public hearings will be held on October 12-15, 2004.  For specific times, and the agenda, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

          ADDRESSES:
          The 87th SSC meeting will be held at the Western Pacific Fishery Council Conference room, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI.  The 124th Council meeting and public hearings will be held at the Pagoda Hotel, 1525 Rycroft Street, Honolulu, HI; telephone:  808-943-6611.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; telephone: (808) 522-8220.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        In addition to the agenda items listed here, the SSC and Council will hear recommendations from other Council advisory groups.  Public comment periods will be provided throughout the agenda.  The order in which agenda items are addressed may change.  The SSC and Council will meet as late as necessary to complete scheduled business.
        Schedule and Agenda for SSC
        9 a.m. Tuesday,October 5, 2004
        1.  Introductions
        2.  Approval of draft agenda and assignment of rapporteurs
        3.  Approval of the minutes of the 86th meeting
        4.  SEDAR approach to stock assessment
        5.  Insular fisheries
        A.  Final action on Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) bottomfish management
        B.  Initial action on recreational data bottomfish pilot project
        C.  Honolulu restaurant survey
        D.  2004 NWHI lobster cruise and charter plans
        E. NWHI lobster Multi-FAN stock assessment
        F. Current precious coral research
        G. Initial action on black coral management measures
        H. Deep sea coral management
        6.  Ecosystem and habitat
        A.  Mariana Archipelago fishery ecosystem plan pilot project
        B.  Initial action on geographic fishery ecosystem plans
        C.  NWHI sanctuary alternatives
        1. National Ocean Service (NOS) goals, objectives and alternatives
        2. Initial action on bottomfish measures
        3. Initial action on crustaceans measures
        4. Initial action on precious corals measures
        5. Initial action on coral reef ecosystems measures
        6. Initial action on pelagics measures
        8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct 6, 2004
        A.  Final action on pelagic squid management
        B.  Final action on seabird measures
        C.  American Samoa and Hawaii longline fisheries
        1.  Quarterly reports
        D.  International issues
        1.  Bigeye tuna management measures
        2.  17th standing Committee on Tuna and Billfish
        3.  Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) technical consultation on turtles
        4.  Sapporo meeting on fishing capacity
        5.  Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Preparatory Conference 7
        6.  NMFS Highly Migratory Species Summit
        7.  Fishing experiments workshop
        8.  3rd International Fishers Forum
        E.  Pelagic Plan Team recommendations
        8.  Protected species
        A.  Sea turtles
        1.  Hawaiian green sea turtle de-listing workshop
        2.  Turtle fibropapilloma workshop
        B.  Marine mammals
        1.  False killer whale workshop and list of fisheries
        2.  Council advisory committee on marine mammals
        C.  Endangered Species Act (ESA)jeopardy workshop
        8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct 7, 2004
        9. Other business
        A.  88th SSC meeting
        Schedule and Agenda for Council Standing Committee Meetings
        Tuesday, October 12, 2004
        1.  8a.m. - 10 a.m. Enforcement/Vessel Monitoring Systems Standing Committee
        2.  8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Ecosystem and Habitat Standing Committee
        3.  10 a.m. - Noon Pelagic and International Standing Committee
        4.  10 a.m. - Noon Bottomfish Standing Committee
        5.  1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Precious Corals/Crustaceans Standing Committee
        6.  1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Indigenous Rights Standing Committee
        7.  3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.  Executive/Budget and Program Standing Committee
        Schedule and Agenda for Public Hearings
        Thursday, October 14, 2004
        9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.  Initial action on a framework adjustment to measures in the Fishery Management Plan for the Precious Corals Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region (Precious Corals FMP) to revise the requirements for the minimum harvest size of black corals.
        11:30 a.m. - 12 Noon.  Final Action on measures to manage CNMI bottomfish and initial action on options to collect Hawaii recreational bottomfish data.
        5 p.m. - 6 p.m.  Initial action on ecosystem approaches for developing geographic fishery ecosystem plans, and initial action on management measures for NWHI bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, pelagic and coral reef ecosystem fisheries, pursuant to the proposed designation of the NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve as a national marine sanctuary.
        Friday, October 15, 2004
        10 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Final action on management measures for pelagic squid and seabirds.
        The agenda during the full Council meeting will include the items listed here.
        For more information on public hearing items, see BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
        Schedule and Agenda for Council Meeting
        8:30 a.m - 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 13, 2004
        1.  Introductions
        2.  Approval of agenda
        3.  Approval of 123rd meeting minutes
        4.  Island reports
        A.  American Samoa
        B.  Guam
        C.  Hawaii
        D.  CNMI
        5.  Reports from fishery agencies and organizations
        A.  Department of Commerce
        a.  NMFS
        i.  Pacific Islands Regional Office
        ii. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
        b.  National Marine Sanctuary Program
        i.  Pacific Sanctuaries update
        c.  NOAA General Counsel Southwest Region
        B.  The Department of Interior - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
        C.  State Department
        D.  Report from the Nature Conservancy
        6.  Enforcement/vessel monitoring systems  A.  US Coast Guard activities
        B.  NMFS activities
        C.  Enforcement activities of local agencies
        D.  Status of violations
        E.  Update on electronic logbooks regulatory amendment
        F.  NWHI enforcement strategy workshop
        7.  Observer programs
        A.  Report on the NWHI bottomfish observer program
        B.  Report on the native observer program
        C.  Report on the Hawaii longline observer program
        D.  Report on the American Samoa observer program
        8.  Fishery rights of indigenous peoples
        A.  Community Demonstration Projects Program (2nd solicitation)
        B.  Update on Guam Community Development Plan
        C.  Secretariat of the Pacific community and Council coastal fisheries management workshop
        D. Marine Conservation Plans (MCP)
        1.   Guam MCP
        2.   American Samoa MCP
        9.  Pacific Islands Region Strategic Plan
        Fisher's Forum: Recreational Fisheries Data and Pacific Islands Region Strategic Plan (6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.)
        8:30 a.m.   5 p.m. Thursday, October 14, 2004
        10.  Insular fisheries

        A.  Precious corals fisheries
        a.  Black coral management measures (initial action)
        b.  Current precious coral research
        c.  Deep sea coral management
        B.  Crustaceans fisheries
        a.  2004 NWHI cruise and charter plans
        b.  Multi-FAN stock assessment
        C.  Bottomfish fisheries
        a.  CNMI bottomfish management measures (final action)
        b.  Honolulu restaurant survey
        c.  Recreational data (initial action)
        D.  Ecosystem and habitat
        a.  Mariana Archipelago fishery ecosystem plan pilot project
        b.  Geographic fishery ecosystem plan (initial action)
        c.  NWHI Sanctuary alternatives (initial action)
        i.  NOS goals, objectives and alternatives
        ii. Bottomfish management measures
        iii. Crustacean management measures
        iv. Precious corals management measures
        v. Pelagic management measures
        vi. Coral reef ecosystems management measures
        8:30 a.m.   5 p.m., Friday, October 15, 2004
        11.  Pelagic fisheries
        A.  Pelagic squid management (final action)
        B.  Seabird measures (final action)
        C.  Sea turtles
        a. Hawaiian green sea turtle delisting workshop
        b. Turtle fibropapilloma workshop
        D.  Marine mammals
        a.  False killer whale workshop and list of fisheries
        b.  Update on Council Advisory Committee on marine mammal
        c.  ESA jeopardy workshop
        F.  American Samoa and Hawaii longline fisheries quarterly workshop
        G.  International issues
        a.  Bigeye tuna management measures
        b.  17th Standing Committee on Tuna and Billfish
        c.  FAO technical consultation on turtles
        d.  Sapporo meeting on fishing capacity
        e.  Prepatory Conference 7” write “Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Preparatory Conference 7
        f.  Highly Migratory Species Summit
        g.  Fishing experiments workshop
        h.  3rd International Fishers Forum
        12. Program planning
        A   Update on Federal and local fishery-related legislation
        B.  Status of Hawaii $5 million disaster funds for Federal fisheries
        C.  WPacFIN
        D.  National Environmental Policy Act Activities
        a.  Fishery Ecosystem Plan Scoping
        b.  Upcoming actions
        E. Programmatic Grants report
        F. Joint Pacific and Western Pacific Council Meeting
        13. Administrative matters
        A. Financial reports
        B. Administrative report
        C. Meetings and workshops
        D.  Advisory group changes
        a.   Marine mammal working group
        b.   Fishery ecosystem plan advisory group
        E. Statement of Organization Practices and Policies (SOPP) changes
        14.  Other business
        A.   Election of officers
        Background Information
        1.  Initial Action on a Change in the Black Coral Harvest Minimum Size (initial action)

        A public hearing will be held on initial action to implement a framework adjustment to the Precious Corals FMP to revise the minimum harvest size for black corals (Antipathes sp.) due to the effects of Carijoa
          riisei on black corals in the Main Hawaiian Islands.  Based on comments received during Precious Coral Plan Team meetings, as well as subsequent SSC, Council, and public working group meetings, the Council developed an options document that includes: (1) Removing the exemption allowing harvest of black corals with a minimum base diameter of   inch(1.905 cm)or minimum height of 36 inches(0.9144 m) by persons who reported harvest to the State of Hawaii within five years prior to April 17, 2002; (2) Establishing a 48-inch(1.2192 m)height minimum requirement for harvest of black coral colonies; and (3) eliminating any minimum base diameter requirement. At its 124th meeting, the Council may take initial action to identity and support a range of alternatives, including selection of a preliminary preferred alternative, to be further analyzed in a framework amendment to the Precious Coral FMP.
        2. CNMI Bottomfish Management Amendment (final action)
        A public hearing will be held to solicit comments on alternatives to manage the bottomfish fishery around the CNMI.  Based on comments received during public scoping meetings held in CNMI, the Council developed preliminary options including limiting the harvest of bottomfish, reporting requirements, establishing area closures, gear and vessel restrictions, and other control measures expressed by the public during the scoping meetings.  At its 123nd meeting, the Council endorsed the range of alternatives to be further developed and analysis for final consideration.  At the 124th meeting, the Council may take final  action on a preferred alternative and direct staff to finalize an amendment to the Bottomfish FMP for regulatory action.
        3.  Initial Action on Developing Geographic Fishery Ecosystem Plans
        A public hearing will be held to solicit comments on initial action for ecosystem approaches in developing geographic fishery ecosystem plans.  At its 122nd  meeting, the Council endorsed the development of fishery ecosystem plans on an archipelagic-basis and initiation of the process to develop alternative approaches for ecosystem-based fisheries management.  At the 124th meeting, the Council may take initial action to develop a range of alternative approaches for ecosystem-based fisheries management on a geographic basis.
        4.  Initial Action on NWHI Sanctuary Alternatives
        A public hearing will be held to solicit comments on management measures for NWHI bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, pelagic and coral reef ecosystem fisheries, pursuant to the proposed designation of the NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve as a national marine sanctuary.  At the 124th meeting, the Council will review the National Marine Sanctuary Program's fishery goal, objectives, alternatives and analyses and relevant NWHI fisheries information, and may take initial action to select preliminary preferred alternatives for these fisheries.
        5. Final Action on Pelagic Squid Management
        A public hearing will be held to solicit comments on alternatives to manage the US pelagic squid fisheries. Following public scoping meetings held in the Main Hawaiian Islands, CNMI, Guam and American Samoa, the Council developed preliminary options to establish appropriate monitoring and management mechanisms for the domestic harvest of pelagic squid in the Pacific Ocean (excluding vessels subject to other Councils' jurisdictions).
        At its 123nd meeting, the Council endorsed the range of alternatives to be further developed and analysis for final consideration.  At the 124th meeting, the Council may take final  action on a preferred alternative and direct staff to finalize an amendment to the Pelagics FMP for regulatory action.
        6.  Final Action on Seabird Measures

        In November 2000, the USFWS issued a BiOp which contained reasonable and prudent measures for minimizing interactions with the endangered shorttail albatross.  The BiOp recognized that the Hawaii-based longline fishery at that time comprised two segments, namely a deep-setting tuna-targeting segment, and a shallow-setting swordfish targeting segment.  All longline vessels fishing above 23° N' lat. were required to use thawed blue dyed bait and employ strategic offal discards when setting and hauling the longline.  Vessels setting deep to catch tuna were also required to use a line setting machine with weighted branch lines.  Vessels setting shallow to target swordfish were required to begin setting the longline at least 1 hour after local sunset and complete the setting process by local sunrise, using only the minimum vessel lights necessary.
        The Council recommended a regulatory amendment to require these measures and a final rule was published in May 2002.  However, the final rule did not include a requirement for night setting due to an earlier closure of the swordfish segment of the Hawaii-based fishery in early 2001, under separate rule making in compliance with a March 2001, BiOp issued by NMFS regarding sea turtles.  The Council recently completed a regulatory amendment that re-opened the swordfish-targeting segment of the Hawaii longline fishery in April 2004, which included the night setting requirement.  During 2002 and 2003, additional seabird mitigation research field tests were conducted with underwater setting chutes, blue dyed bait and side setting.  Side setting, as the term implies, means setting the longline from the side, rather than from the stern of the vessel.  While all measures worked well, side setting was the only method which virtually reduced the interaction rate between longline and seabirds to zero.  However, side setting is not included within the suite of measures required in the USFWS BiOp, nor in the regulations for the Hawaii-based fishery.
        At its 122nd meeting, the Council, discussed the potential for amending its requirements for seabird mitigation above 23° N' lat. to include side setting, an underwater setting chute or towed deterrent as measures that fishermen may elect to use in place of blue dyed bait, strategic offal discards and night setting.  The Council directed the staff to prepare a regulatory amendment to the Pelagics FMP that examines a range of alternatives for seabird mitigation which included the choices for longline fishermen of either the use of side setting, use of an underwater setting chute, or other acceptable measures.
        At its 123rd meeting, the Council took initial action and select a preferred alternative and directed staff to complete a regulatory amendment in order to take final action at its next meeting. The preferred alternative would require shallow setting boats in all areas to use current mitigation measures, excluding the requirement to use blue-dyed bait, or use side setting or use an underwater setting chute or use a tori line. The preferred alternative would also require deep setting boats fishing north of 23° N. Lat., use current mitigation measures, excluding the requirement to use blue-dyed bait, or use side setting or use an underwater setting chute or use a tori line), in conjunction with a line shooter and weighted branchlines.
        At the 124th meeting the Council will review the regulatory amendment document, and may take final action with a recommendation that the regulatory amendment document be finalized and transmitted to NMFS for review and approval.
        Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before the Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal Council action during this meeting.  Council action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any issue arising after publication of this document that requires emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency.
        Special Accommodations
        These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522-8220 (voice) or (808) 522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

          Authority:
          16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

          Dated: September 20, 2004.
          John H. Dunnigan,
          Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

      [FR Doc. 04-21554 Filed 9-24-04; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


        FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
        47 CFR Part 4
        [PS Docket No. 15-80; Report No. 3179; FRS 39529]
        Petition for Reconsideration of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding

          AGENCY:
          Federal Communications Commission.

          ACTION:
          Petition for Reconsideration.

          SUMMARY:
          A Petition for Reconsideration (Petition) has been filed in the Commission's rulemaking proceeding by Ian P. Culver, on behalf of California Public Utilities Commission.

          DATES:
          Oppositions to the Petition must be filed on or before August 13, 2021. Replies to an opposition must be filed on or before August 23, 2021.

          ADDRESSES:
          Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Saswat Misra, Attorney-Advisor, Cybersecurity & Communications Reliability Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-0944 or via email at Saswat.Misra@fcc.gov.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

        This is a summary of the Commission's document, Report No. 3179, released July 19, 2021. The full text of the Petition can be accessed online via the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System at: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. The Commission will not send a Congressional Review Act (CRA) submission to Congress or the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the CRA, 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A), because no rules are being adopted by the Commission.

        Subject: In the Matter of Amendments to Part 4 of the Commission's Rules Concerning Disruptions to Communications, published at 86 FR 22796, April 29, 2021, in PS Docket No. 15-80. This document is being published pursuant to 47 CFR 1.429(e). See also 47 CFR 1.4(b)(1) and 1.429(f), (g).

          Number of Petitions Filed: 1.

          Federal Communications Commission.
          Marlene Dortch,
          Secretary, Office of the Secretary.

      [FR Doc. 2021-16126 Filed 7-28-21; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 6712-01-P