Your comments are invited

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) are proposing to develop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Amendments for the Northeast Multispecies complex (groundfish) and Atlantic Sea Scallop (scallop) under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The FMPs will evaluate Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) designations as well as impacts to EFH from fishing and non-fishing activities.

Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for the proposed groundfish and scallop FMPs will analyze the impacts of EFH management alternatives on both the physical and human environment. You will have an opportunity to comment on any aspect of the EFH components of the Draft EISs, including the range of management alternatives to be addressed which minimize, to the extent practicable, adverse effects of fishing activities on EFH. The EFH designations will also be re-evaluated.

Why is NMFS proposing to take action?

There are 15 groundfish species that comprise the Northeast Multispecies complex and one species under the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP. Under the MSA, an FMP must describe and identify EFH, minimize to the extent practicable adverse effects on EFH caused by fishing, and identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH. These EFH components were originally presented in Amendment 11 to the groundfish FMP and Amendment 9 to the scallop FMP. Those FMP amendments, also known as the EFH Omnibus Amendment, were approved by the Secretary of Commerce on March 3, 1999.

In response to a U.S. District Court order, the EFH components originally developed as part of the Omnibus Amendment must be re-evaluated and a range of alternatives to minimize adverse effects on EFH from fishing must be analyzed. These analyses will be presented individually or incorporated into EISs currently being developed by NMFS and the Council (e.g. Amendment 13 for groundfish or Amendment 10 for scallops). EISs will be prepared according to the requirements specified by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

What is the process?

The publication of this scoping document and an announcement in the Federal Register of our intent to prepare the FMPs/EISs initiates the formal FMP/EIS development process. Information collected during previous scoping processes for FMP amendments currently under development, including Amendment 10 for scallops and Amendment 13 for groundfish, may be incorporated.

After gathering information during the scoping period, NMFS and the Council will select a range of management alternatives to be considered in the Draft EISs and public hearing documents. NMFS and the Council will distribute the Draft EISs and public hearing documents containing management alternatives and an impact analysis of the alternatives for public review. During a 45-day public hearing and comment period, you may comment on any aspect of a draft EIS, including the alternatives under consideration and the analysis of the impacts. Following a review of public comments, NMFS and the Council will choose management measures for submission to the Secretary of Commerce within an FMP Amendment.

Why should I comment?

NMFS needs your input both to identify EFH management issues and develop alternatives to minimize, to the extent practicable, adverse effects of fishing on EFH. Your comments early in the development process will help us address issues of concern to you in a thorough and appropriate manner.

How do I comment?

You may submit written comments by March 3, 2001 to:

Louis A. Chiarella, Essential Fish Habitat Coordinator
National Marine Fisheries Service
1 Blackburn Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: 978-281-9277
FAX: 978-281-9301

Additionally, there will be a public scoping meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2001, from 3-5pm at the NMFS Northeast Regional Office, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA, Conference Room.

What action is NMFS considering?

NMFS is considering the need to revise EFH designations for groundfish and scallops based upon any available new scientific information, and is considering potential designations of Habitat Areas of Particular Concern. NMFS will consider a range of alternatives to minimize adverse effects of fishing activities on EFH.