[Proposed Rules]
[Page 32071-320721
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:frl2jn97-28]

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 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 600
[I.D. 120996A]

 Magnuson Act Provisions; Essential Fish Habitat; Public Meeting; Extension of Comment Period

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

 ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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 SUMMARY: NMFS announces the extension of the public comment period on the proposed regulations containing guidelines for the description and identification of essential fish habitat (EFH) in fishery management plans. The public comment period is hereby extended to July 8, 1997, to give members of the public additional time to review and comment on the proposed regulation. NMFS also announces its intent to hold at least one additional public meeting at a date, time, and location to be announced in a future notice. This meeting is added to provide an additional opportunity for public comment on the EFH proposed regulations.

 DATES: Written comments will be accepted on or before July 8, 1997. The date of the additional meeting will be announced in a future notice.

 ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to office of Habitat

 [[Page 3207211]]

 Conservation, Attention: EFH, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; telephone: 301/713-2325. The location of the additional public meeting will be announced in a future notice.

 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Crockett, NMFS, 301/713-2325.

 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 Background

 NMFS issued proposed regulations containing guidelines for the description and identification of EFH in fishery management plans, adverse impacts on EFH, and actions to conserve and enhance EFH on April 23, 1997 (62 FR 19723). An extension of the comment period was published on May 19, 1997 (62 FR 27214). The regulations would also provide a process for NMFS to coordinate and consult with Federal and state agencies on activities that may adversely affect EFH. The guidelines are required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). The purpose of the rule is to assist fishery management councils in fulfilling the requirements set out by the Magnuson-Stevens Act to amend their fishery management plans to describe and identify EFH, minimize adverse effects on EFH, and identify other actions to conserve and enhance EFH. The purpose of the coordination and consultation provisions is to specify procedures for adequate consultation with NMFS on activities that may adversely affect EFH.

 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

 Dated: June 6, 1997.
James P. Burgess,
Director, Office of Habitat Conservation, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15360 Filed 6-6-97; 4:58 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F