        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        50 CFR Part 622
        [Docket No. 191011-0061]
        RIN 0648-BJ01
        Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Spiny Lobster Trap Fishery of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI); Control Date

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

          ACTION:
          Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; consideration of a control date.

          SUMMARY:
          This notice announces the establishment of a control date of September 1, 2017, that the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) may use if it decides to create restrictions limiting participation in the spiny lobster trap fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off St. Thomas and St. John, or St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Persons entering the fishery in either area after the control date will not be assured of future access should a management regime that limits participation in the fishery be prepared and implemented. NMFS invites comments on the establishment of this control date.

          DATES:
          Written comments must be received by November 18, 2019.

          ADDRESSES:
          You may submit comments identified by “NOAA-NMFS-2019-0070” by either of the following methods:
          • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0070, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
          • Mail: Submit written comments to Sarah Stephenson, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

            Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Sarah Stephenson, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, or email: sarah.stephenson@noaa.gov.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        The spiny lobster trap fishery is managed under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the USVI. However, NMFS notes that the Council is in the process of transitioning Federal fisheries management in the U.S. Caribbean from four species-based FMPs for Puerto Rico and the USVI to three island-based FMPs (Puerto Rico FMP, St. Thomas and St. John FMP, and St. Croix FMP). The island-based FMPs would manage multiple species, including spiny lobster, within the EEZ defined for each island management area (appendix E to part 622).
        Currently in the U.S. Caribbean, which includes Puerto Rico and the USVI, there is no Federal permit for the spiny lobster trap fishery. However, the territorial governments of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix issue commercial fishing licenses for their territorial waters.
        At their August 2018 meeting, the Council recommended a control date of September 1, 2017, for the spiny lobster trap fishery off the USVI. The control date would apply to persons who have entered or are contemplating entering this fishery after September 1, 2017. The control date would be applicable under the current FMP and it is the Council's intent that is would also be applicable under the island-based FMPs, if approved.

        Previously, the Council established a control date of February 10, 2011 (78 FR 20496, April 5, 2013), for the commercial spiny lobster trap fishery in the U.S. Caribbean operating in Federal waters off Puerto Rico and the USVI. At their August 2018 meeting, the Council discussed modifying the previous control date for the spiny lobster trap fishery off the USVI to address more recent concerns presented at that meeting by spiny lobster trap fishermen and the USVI government. Specifically, with the planned implementation of the island-based FMPs, potential increases in annual catch limits for spiny lobster in the EEZ off the USVI could increase fishing effort that would affect the fishery, which historically has been small-scale and market-driven. Both spiny lobster trap fishermen and the USVI government were concerned that, in the future, new participants may establish large-scale operations for harvesting spiny lobster that would impact the ecosystem (i.e., more traps deployed), historical participants, and fishing communities.
        In order to preserve and protect the economically and culturally important spiny lobster trap fishery in the USVI, the Council decided to update the previous control date of February 10, 2011, and establish a September 1, 2017, control date for the spiny lobster trap fishery around the USVI. The Council selected September 1, 2017, as the control date because, soon thereafter, Hurricanes Maria and Irma severely curtailed fishing activities in the USVI. Therefore, the Council determined the period prior to September 1, 2017, best represents historic participation in the spiny lobster trap fishery in the USVI. The control date enables the Council to inform current and potential participants that it may consider creating restrictions to limit participation or other measures in the spiny lobster trap fishery around St. Thomas and St. John, or St. Croix, USVI.

        The Council requested that this control date be published in the Federal Register to notify fishermen that if they entered the fishery after September 1, 2017, they may not be assured of future access if the Council or NMFS decide to limit entry or impose other measures to manage the spiny lobster trap fishery around St. Thomas and St. John, or St. Croix, USVI.
        Establishment of this control date does not commit the Council or NMFS to any particular management regime or criteria for entry into the spiny lobster trap fishery around St. Thomas and St. John, or St. Croix, USVI. Fishermen are not guaranteed future participation in the trap fishery regardless of their level of participation before or after the control date. The Council may recommend a different control date or it may recommend a management regime that does not involve a control date. Other criteria, such as documentation of landings or fishing effort, may be used to determine eligibility for participation in a limited access fishery. The Council or NMFS also may choose to take no further action to control entry or access to the fishery, in which case the control date may be rescinded. Any action by the Council will be taken pursuant to the requirements for fishery management plan and amendment development established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
        This notification also gives the public notice that interested participants should locate and preserve records that substantiate and verify their participation in the spiny lobster trap fishery in the EEZ off St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix, USVI.

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

          Dated: October 15, 2019.
          Samuel D. Rauch, III,
          Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

      [FR Doc. 2019-22780 Filed 10-17-19; 8:45 am]
       BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        50 CFR Part 226
        [Docket No. 09022432-91321-03]
        RIN 0648-XT72
        Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Critical Habitat Designation for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

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

          ACTION:
          Notice of public hearings.

          SUMMARY:
          On December 2, 2009, NMFS published a proposal to designate critical habitat for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. As part of that proposal, NMFS announced a public comment period to end on February 1, 2010, which was extended to March 3, 2010. NMFS has received requests for public hearings on this issue. In response, NMFS is announcing that hearings will be held at four locations in Alaska to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input.

          DATES:
          Written comments must be received by March 3, 2010.

          ADDRESSES:
          Send comments to Kaja Brix, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. You may submit comments, identified by “RIN 0648-XT72”, by any one of the following methods:

          • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal website at http://www.regulations.gov

          • Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802
          • Fax: 907-586-7557
          • Hand delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK.

          No comments will be posted for public viewing until after the comment period has closed. All comments received are part of the public record and will be generally posted to http://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
          NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Mandy Migura, NMFS, 222 West 7th Avenue, Box 43, Anchorage, AK 99517, (907) 271-5006; Kaja Brix, NMFS, (907) 586-7235; or Marta Nammack, (301) 713-1401.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        Background
        Section 4(a)(3) of the ESA requires NMFS to designate critical habitat for threatened and endangered species. NMFS published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking and a request for information on April 14, 2009 (74 FR 17131). On December 2, 2009, NMFS published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale (74 FR 63080). On January 12, 2010, NMFS extended the public comment period to March 3, 2010 (75 FR 1852).
        Public Hearings
        Joint Commerce-Interior ESA implementing regulations state that the Secretary of Commerce shall promptly hold at least one public hearing if any person requests one within 45 days of publication of a proposed regulation to list a species or to designate critical habitat (see 50 CFR 424.16(c)(3)). In past ESA rulemakings, NMFS has conducted traditional public hearings, consisting of recorded oral testimony from interested individuals. This format, although providing a means of public input, does not provide opportunities for dialogue and information exchange. NMFS believes that the traditional public hearing format can be improved upon by also including a brief presentation on what may be considered topics of interest.
        The preferred means for providing public comment to the official record is via written testimony prepared in advance of the meeting, which may also be presented orally. Blank “comment sheets” will be provided at the meetings for those without prepared written comments, and opportunity will also be provided for additional oral testimony. There is no need to register for these hearings.

        In scheduling these public hearings, NMFS has anticipated that many affected stakeholders and members of the public may prefer to discuss the proposed critical habitat designation directly with staff during the public comment period. These public meetings are not the only opportunity for the public to provide input on this proposal. The public and stakeholders are encouraged to continue to comment and provide input to NMFS on the proposal (via correspondence, e-mail, and the Internet; see ADDRESSES, above) up until the scheduled close of the comment period on March 3, 2010.
        Hearing Dates & Locations
        Public hearings will be held in Anchorage, Wasilla, Soldotna, and Homer, Alaska. The specific dates and locations of these meetings are listed below:
        (1) Soldotna: February 3, 2010, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers, George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration Building, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK.
        (2) Homer: February 4, 2010, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, 95 Sterling Highway #1, Homer, AK.
        (3) Wasilla: February 11 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Best Western, Lake Lucille Inn, Iditarod Room, 1300 West Lake Lucille Drive, Wasilla, AK.
        (4) Anchorage: February 12 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the Loussac Public Library, Wilda Marston Room, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK.
        References

        The proposed rule, economic analysis, maps, status reviews, and other materials relating to the proposed critical habitat designation can be found on the NMFS Alaska Region website www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.

          Authority:
          16 U.S.C. 1533

          Dated: January 13, 2010.
          James H. Lecky,
          Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

      [FR Doc. 2010-997 Filed 1-19-10; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


        DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
        Internal Revenue Service
        26 CFR Part 1
        [REG-115057-20]
        RIN 1545-BP98
        Mandatory 60-Day Postponement of Certain Tax-Related Deadlines by Reason of a Federally Declared Disaster; Hearing

          AGENCY:
          Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule; notice of hearing.

          SUMMARY:
          This document provides a notice of public hearing on proposed regulations relating to the new mandatory 60-day postponement of certain time-sensitive tax-related deadlines by reason of a Federally declared disaster.

          DATES:
          The public hearing is being held on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. The IRS must receive speakers' outlines of the topics to be discussed at the public hearing by Monday, March 15, 2021. If no outlines are received by March 15, 2021, the public hearing will be cancelled.

          ADDRESSES:

          The public hearing is being held by teleconference. Individuals who want to testify (by telephone) at the public hearing must send an email to publichearings@irs.gov to receive the telephone number and access code for the hearing. The subject line of the email must contain the regulation number [REG-115057-20] and the word TESTIFY. For example, the subject line may say: Request to TESTIFY at Hearing for REG-115057-20. The email must include the name(s) of the speaker(s) and title(s). Send outline submissions electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov (IRS REG-115057-20). The email must be received by March 15, 2021.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Concerning the proposed regulations, William V. Spatz at (202) 317-5461; concerning submissions of comments, the hearing, and the access code to attend the hearing by teleconferencing, Regina Johnson at (202) 317-5177 (not toll-free numbers) or publichearings@irs.gov. If emailing please put Attend, Testify, or Agenda Request and [REG-115057-20] in the email subject line.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

        The subject of the public hearing is the notice of proposed rulemaking REG-115057-20 that was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 86 FR 2607.
        The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who wish to present oral comments telephonically at the hearing that previously submitted written comments by March 15, 2021, must submit an outline on the topics to be addressed and the amount of time to be devoted to each topic by March 15, 2021.

        A period of 10 minutes is allotted to each person for presenting oral comments. After the deadline for receiving outlines has passed, the IRS will prepare an agenda containing the schedule of speakers. Copies of the agenda will be made available by emailing your request to publichearings@irs.gov. Please put “REG-115057-20” Agenda Request” in the subject line of the email.

        Individuals who want to attend (by telephone) the public hearing must also send an email to publichearings@irs.gov to receive the telephone number and access code for the hearing. The subject line of the email must contain the regulation number [REG-115057-20] and the word ATTEND. For example, the subject line may say: Request to ATTEND Hearing for REG-115057-20. The email requesting to attend the public hearing must be received by 5:00 p.m. two (2) business days before the date that the hearing is scheduled.

        The telephonic hearing will be made accessible to people with disabilities. To request special assistance during the telephonic hearing please contact the Publications and Regulations Branch of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Administration) by sending an email to publichearings@irs.gov (preferred) or by telephone at (202) 317-5177 (not a toll-free number) at least three (3) days prior to the date that the telephonic hearing is scheduled.

        Any questions regarding speaking at or attending a public hearing may also be emailed to publichearings@irs.gov.

          Crystal Pemberton,
          Senior Federal Register Liaison, Publications and Regulations Branch, Legal Processing Division, Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure and Administration).

      [FR Doc. 2021-02183 Filed 2-2-21; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 4830-01-P


        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        50 CFR Part 635
        RIN 0648-BA17.e
        Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures

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

          ACTION:
          Notice of Intent; control date for Atlantic shark landings; request for comments.

          SUMMARY:
          This notice announces the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) intent to prepare an EIS and FMP Amendment that would consider catch shares for the Atlantic shark fisheries. NMFS published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on September 20, 2010, that provided background information and requested public comment on potential adjustments to the regulations governing the U.S. Atlantic shark fisheries to address several specific issues currently affecting management of the shark fisheries and to identify specific goals for management of the fisheries in the future. NMFS received comments on a variety of modifications to the existing management structure for the Atlantic shark fisheries, including programs such as catch shares, limited access privilege programs (LAPPs), individual fishing quotas (IFQs), and/or sectors. The purpose of this Notice of Intent (NOI) is to establish a control date for eligibility to participate in an Atlantic shark catch share program, announce the availability of a white paper describing design elements of catch share programs in general and issues specific to the Atlantic shark fisheries, announce a catch share workshop at the upcoming HMS Advisory Panel meeting, and request public comment on the implementation of catch shares in the Atlantic shark fisheries.

          DATES:
          Written comments regarding the issues in this NOI must be received no later than 5 p.m. on March 1, 2012.

          Topics included in this NOI will be discussed on September 22, 2011, at the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP). Additional workshops will be announced in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register. Please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this NOI for more specifics regarding the HMS Advisory Panel meeting.

          ADDRESSES:
          The workshop at the HMS Advisory Panel will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910. You may submit comments, identified by “0648-BA17”, by any one of the following methods:
          • Electronic submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.

          • Fax: 301-713-1917, Attn: Margo Schulze-Haugen.
          • Mail: NMFS SF1, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

            Instructions: All comments received are part of the public record and generally will be posted to portal http://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

          Related documents, including the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its amendments and the 2010 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report are available upon request at the mailing address noted above or on the HMS Management Division's Web page at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Karyl Brewster-Geisz, LeAnn Southward Hogan, Guý DuBeck, or Michael Clark at 301-427-8503 or fax at 301-713-1917.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        The Atlantic shark fisheries are managed under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). In 1999, NMFS revised the 1993 Shark FMP and included swordfish and tunas in the 1999 FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks (1999 FMP). The 1999 FMP was amended in 2003, and in 2006, NMFS consolidated the 1999 FMP and its amendments—and the Atlantic Billfish FMP and its amendments—into the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS FMP. The 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP was amended in 2008 and 2010 to address management needs in the Atlantic shark fisheries.
        As outlined in the September 20, 2010, ANPR (75 FR 57235), sharks have been federally managed since 1993. Since that time, there have been numerous changes to the regulations and major rules related to sharks, either through FMP amendments or regulatory amendments, in order to respond to results of stock assessments, changes in stock status, and other fishery fluctuations. Despite these modifications, the Atlantic shark fisheries, particularly the large coastal shark (LCS) portion, has experienced problems such as commercial landings that exceed the quotas, declining numbers of fishing permits since limited access was implemented, complex regulations, “derby” fishing conditions due to small quotas and short seasons, increasing numbers of regulatory discards, and declining market prices. The objective of the ANPR was to describe and seek public comment on alternative management strategies that might better address these issues in the Atlantic shark fisheries.

        Comments were sought on several themes that would affect management of the shark fisheries and to identify goals for future actions. The themes presented in the ANPR included: quota structure, permit structure, and catch shares. Six public meetings were held which included one at the Atlantic HMS AP meeting in Silver Spring, MD on September 21-23, 2010. NMFS received comments on a variety of possible modifications to the existing management structure for Atlantic sharks. The public commented that changes in quota structure addressed issues associated with species complexes/quotas, regions, and retention limits, while comments on changes in the permit structure addressed issues associated with permit stacking and “use it or lose it” permits. NMFS received comments from environmental groups that supported our initiative to address a number of serious problems facing shark populations in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. NMFS also received comments about concerns for better tracking of landings and mortality of sharks by recreational fishermen. Comments in support of and opposed to catch shares were received in addition to comments on methods for determining individuals' initial allocation if catch shares were implemented for the Atlantic shark fisheries. A summary of all the comments received can be obtained from HMS Management Division Web site (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/sharks/catchshares.htm).

        Furthermore, NMFS received a proposal from regional stakeholders to implement a catch share program for the Atlantic shark fisheries, particularly the LCS portion, in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). These fishermen would prefer to replace the current management structure for LCS with an individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. The regional stakeholders continue to hold deliberations related to this IFQ proposal and some of the details have yet to be finalized. Regional stakeholders have expressed that they would like this IFQ program to be integrated into existing catch share programs in the GOM for reef fish (i.e., red snapper, red grouper, and tilefish) and employ some of the same infrastructure for monitoring and reporting as well as some of the same design and management elements associated with these Council-designed catch share programs in the GOM. The proposal would include non-sandbar LCS, sandbar sharks, and small coastal sharks (SCS). Under the industry proposal, the eligible participants in the IFQ program would include all fishermen with a valid federal directed or incidental limited access shark permit and state-water fishermen, and the initial share of the IFQ program would be distributed to current Federal directed and incidental permit holders based on their catch history in logbooks from 2002-2009. The allocation for the state-water fishermen would be based on dealer landings from the same qualifying years as the Federal permit holders. In the industry-proposed IFQ program, state-water permit holders would fish under an established state quota and be managed under state-specific rules. The qualifying years for initial allocation for each species has multiple options in the proposal. The non-sandbar LCS allocation would be based on variety of number of years during a time period of 2002-2011. Participants would be able to select the best number of years out of the total number of qualifying years. For example, if the qualifying years were 2002-2009, then participants would be able to select the best 5 out of the 8 years for their allocation. The proposal would also establish an allocation for sandbar sharks in order to allow a sandbar shark allocation that can be easily and quickly incorporated into the IFQ program once the species is rebuilt. The stakeholders are considering that the qualifying years for this allocation would be 2002-2007 or 2005-2007. SCS were also included in the proposal, but the qualifying years for allocation have yet to be proposed. The other details of the IFQ proposal, including duration of the program, transferability, IFQ share caps, IFQ allocation caps, and cost recovery fees are consistent with the existing GOM IFQ programs (red snapper, grouper, and tilefish). Additional details on the proposal received from GOM participants for the Atlantic shark fisheries can be found on the HMS Management Division Web site (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/sharks/catchshares.htm).

        In light of the comments received on the ANPR concerning catch shares and the more specific interest in a catch share program for Atlantic Sharks in the GOM submitted by regional stakeholders, NMFS is considering implementation of catch shares for the Atlantic shark fisheries. Consistent with the objectives described in the ANPR on the Future of the Atlantic Shark Fishery, written comments, and comments at public hearings and Advisory Panel meetings, implementing a catch share program for the Atlantic shark fisheries may be an effective means of lengthening seasons and providing participants more autonomy concerning timing of fishing activities, reducing regulatory discards, improving economic performance by allowing fishermen the opportunity to harvest sharks when conditions are most favorable, addressing intraregional differences in shark distribution that may lead to difficulty timing seasons when sharks are locally available, reducing latent effort in the fishery, reducing bycatch, simplifying regulations, and ensuring that overfishing does not occur to maintain target rebuilding timeframes for sharks.

        NMFS has prepared a white paper that provides more detail concerning some of the potential design elements for catch share programs and provides the public with additional information regarding some of the issues in the Atlantic shark fisheries that NMFS is interested in obtaining feedback on, including, but not limited to: eligibility (directed and/or incidental permit holders), specification of the resource unit (species and regions to include), initial allocation (based on catch history and/or other means), and catch share management. The white paper is available on the HMS Management Division Web site (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/sharks/catchshares.htm). Implementation of any program to restrict access in the Atlantic shark fisheries would also require preparation of an amendment to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, which would include the NOI and white paper for public comment during the scoping period, a predraft of FMP amendment outlining options for consideration, a proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement that analyzes alternatives for design and management of a catch share program and identifies the Agency's preferred alternatives, and issuance of a final implementing rule.
        Control Date
        NMFS is establishing September 16, 2011, as a control date. If NMFS takes future action to implement catch shares in the Atlantic shark fisheries, the control date would affect eligibility to participate in and receive an initial allocation of quota in the Atlantic shark fisheries. Unless NMFS changes the control date in the future, to be eligible for the Atlantic shark fisheries catch share program, participants must be in possession of a valid federal directed or incidental limited access shark permit on September 16, 2011. The Agency may or may not make use of this control date as part of the qualifying criteria for participation in any future catch share or other management program. Fishermen are not guaranteed future participation in a fishery regardless of their entry date or intensity of participation in the fishery before or after the control date under consideration.
        Requests for Landings History
        Through the proposed rulemaking process, NMFS will consider, among other things, methods of determining initial allocations. At this time, to reduce duplicate work and minimize confusion, NMFS is requesting that permit holders not submit data requests for their logbook landings history. There will be ample opportunity for all permit holders to review the landings data that NMFS has on file, the Agency will provide detailed information on a process for petitioning any discrepancies at a future date.

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

          Dated: September 13, 2011.
          Emily H. Menashes,
          Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

      [FR Doc. 2011-23877 Filed 9-15-11; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


        DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
        Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
        49 CFR Parts 191 and 192
        [Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023]
        RIN 2137-AE72
        Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipelines

          AGENCY:
          Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOT.

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

          SUMMARY:
          On April 8, 2016, (81 FR 20722) PHMSA published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled: “Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipelines” seeking comments on changes to the pipeline safety regulations for gas transmission and gathering pipelines. PHMSA has received several requests to extend the comment period. PHMSA is granting these requests and extending the comment period from June 7, 2016, to July 7, 2016.

          DATES:
          The closing date for filing comments is extended from June 7, 2016, to July 7, 2016.

          ADDRESSES:
          Comments should reference Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023 and may be submitted in the following ways:
          • E-Gov Web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. This site allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any agency.
          • Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
          • Mail: DOT Docket Management System: U.S. DOT, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
          • Hand Delivery: U.S. DOT Docket Management System; West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

            Instructions: You should identify the Docket No. PHMSA-2011-0023 at the beginning of your comments. If you submit your comments by mail, please submit two copies. To receive confirmation that PHMSA received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit comments to the Docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

          Note:
          Comments are posted without changes or edits to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. There is a privacy statement published on http://www.regulations.gov.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          For further information contact Mike Israni at 202-366-4571 or by email at mike.israni@dot.gov.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        Background
        On April 8, 2016, PHMSA issued a NPRM that would make amendments to the pipeline safety regulations for gas transmission and gathering pipelines. Since the issuance of the NPRM, PHMSA has received comment extension requests from the following entities:

        • American Gas Association
        • American Petroleum Institute
        • American Public Gas Association
        • California Public Utilities Commission
        • Consol Energy Inc.
        • Gas Processors Association
        • Independent Petroleum Association of American
        • Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
        • Marcellus Shale Coalition
        • National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives
        • National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
        • New York State Public Service Commission
        • Texas Pipeline Association

        PHMSA believes that extension of the comment period is warranted based on the information provided in these requests. Therefore, PHMSA has extended the comment period from June 7, 2016, to July 7, 2016.

          Issued in Washington, DC, on May 9, 2016, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
          Alan K. Mayberry,
          Acting Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.

      [FR Doc. 2016-11240 Filed 5-12-16; 8:45 am]
       BILLING CODE 4910-60-P