[Federal Register: July 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 145)] [Notices] [Page 41134-41135] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29jy99-92] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska; Dungeness Crab Commercial Fishery Interim Compensation Program for Processors AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Glacier Bay National Park application procedures for the Dungeness crab commercial fishery interim compensation program for processors. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Section 123(c) of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 1999 (``the Act''), as amended by Section 501 of the 1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, Pub. L. 106-31 (05/21/99), authorizes compensation for fish processors, fishing vessel crew members, communities, and others negatively affected by congressionally-directed restrictions on commercial fishing in the marine waters of Glacier Bay National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) and the State of Alaska recently announced a framework for completing the compensation program within the next 2 years. The closure of designated wilderness areas to commercial fishing (implemented by NPS on June 15, 1999) and the pending closure of Glacier Bay proper to commercial fishing for Dungeness crab (September 30, 1999) will adversely affect some Dungeness crab fishermen and processors this year, before the compensation program can be completed. NPS is a currently compensating qualifying Dungeness crab commercial fishermen under a specific compensation program authorized by Section (b) of the Act (See 64 FR 32888 [June 18, 1999.]) To address 1999 economic impacts to Dungeness crab processors, NPS, with concurrence of the State of Alaska, intends to provide interim compensation to those processors who meet qualifying criteria similar to those described for commercial fishermen under Section (b) of the Act. An interim compensation payment will be made to Dungeness crab processors who have purchased Dungeness crab harvested from either the Beardslee Island or Dundas Bay wilderness areas in the park for at least six years during the period 1987-1998. This interim payment is intended to mitigate 1999 income losses for qualifying Dungeness crab processors until the compensation program under Section (c) of the Act--and appropriate eligibility criteria, priorities and levels of compensation for [[Page 41135]] processors--can be developed and implemented. This Federal Register notice serves to provide application instructions for licensed Dungeness crab buyer/processors who believe they qualify for interim compensation. Applications must be provided to the Superintendent, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, on or before October 1, 1999. DATES: Applications for the Dungeness crab commercial fishery processor interim compensation program will be accepted on or before October 1, 1999. ADDRESSES: Applications for the Dungeness crab commercial fishery processor interim compensation program should be submitted to the Superintendent, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, Alaska 99826. A delivery address is located at 1 Park Road, in Gustavus. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the Dungeness crab commercial fishery compensation program, please contact Tomie Lee, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, P. O. Box 140, Gustavus, Alaska 99826. Phone: (907) 697-2230. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Act, as amended, requires Dungeness crab fishermen to provide certain information sufficient to determine their eligibility for compensation. NPS will require similar corroborating documentation from Dungeness crab buyers/processors making application to NPS for 1999 interim compensation as described in this notice. Dungeness crab processors must provide the following information to the Superintendent: (1) Full name, mailing address, and a contact phone number. (2) A sworn and notarized personal affidavit from the owner of the processing business attesting to the applicant's history of buying Dungeness crab harvested from either the Beardslee Island or Dundas Bay wilderness areas of the park as a licensed buyer/processor for at least 6 of 12 years during the period of 1987 through 1998. (3) A copy of the business's current State of Alaska license for buying/processing Dungeness crab. (4) Any available corroborating information--including documentation of Dungeness crab landed/purchased from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game shellfish statistical units that include wilderness areas in the Beardslee Islands or Dundas Bay and/or sworn and notarized affidavits of witnesses--that can assist in a determination of eligibility for compensation. The Superintendent, with the concurrence of the State of Alaska, will make a written determination on eligibility for compensation based on the documentation provided by the applicant. The Superintendent, with the concurrence of the State of Alaska, will also make a written determination on the amount of 1999 interim compensation to be paid to an eligible applicant. NPS intends to complete payment of interim compensation to processors meeting the above eligibility criteria by December 1, 1999. Receipt of compensation for 1999 losses will not prejudice any opportunity the applicant may have to seek any additional compensation that may be provided for in the Act, as amended. If an application for compensation is denied, the Superintendent will provide the applicant the reasons for the denial in writing. Denial of interim compensation as a Dungeness crab processor will not affect consideration for future compensation for processors under the Act, as amended. Dated: July 20, 1999. Paul R. Anderson, Acting Regional Director, Alaska. [FR Doc. 99-19450 Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P