[Federal Register: September 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 189)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 52760-52761] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30se99-45] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [I.D. 092499A] Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) off the West Coast AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an EIS; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NOAA announces its intention to prepare an EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act for the proposed FMP for HMS fisheries off the West Coast. The NMFS and Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will jointly hold public scoping hearings in California, Oregon, and Washington on management issues and alternatives to be analyzed under the FMP and associated EIS. DATES: Written comments on the intent to prepare the EIS will be accepted on or before November 1, 1999. Public scoping meetings are scheduled for October 12 and 13 and October 18 and 19, 1999 (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). ADDRESSES: Written comments on suggested alternatives and potential impacts should be sent to Larry D. Six, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 2130 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 224, Portland, OR 97201; and to Svein Fougner, Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Six, at 503-326-6352. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dates and Times The following locations and times have been set for scoping meetings: 1. California - San Pedro Hilton Hotel, Madeo Ristorante and Banquet Center, 2800 Via Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, October 12, 1999, beginning at 7:00 P.M.; 2. California - Hilton Monterey, Vista del Mar Banquet Room, 1000 Aguajito Road, Monterey, October 13, beginning at 7:00 P.M.; [[Page 52761]] 3. Washington - Driftwood Room, Islander Motel, 421 Westhaven Drive, Westport, October 18, 1999, beginning at 1:00 P.M.; and 4. Oregon - Hatfield Marine Science Center, Room 9, Newport, October 19, 1999, beginning at 7:00 P.M. A summary of a background information document on HMS fisheries off the West Coast and on initial issues to be considered will be presented, as well as potential conservation and management actions that might be included in the FMP. Comments will be solicited from the public on these and any other issues and management alternatives the public cares to offer. Management measures that may be adopted in the FMP for HMS Fisheries off the West Coast include permit and reporting requirements for commercial and recreational harvest of HMS resources, time and/or area closures to minimize gear conflicts or bycatch, adoption or confirmation of state regulations for HMS fisheries, and allocations of some species to non-commercial use. The FMP is likely to include a framework management process to add future new measures, including the potential for collaborative management efforts with other Regional Fishery Management Councils with interests in HMS resources. It would also include essential fish habitat and habitat areas of particular concern, including fishing and non-fishing threats, as well as other components of FMPs required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). The proposed FMP, and its associated EIS, would be the Council's fourth FMP for the exclusive economic zone off the West Coast. Development of the FMP is timely, considering the new mandates under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, efforts by the United Nations to promote conservation and management of HMS resources through domestic and international programs, and the increased scope of activity of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in HMS fisheries in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Public Information Meetings The planning process for the FMP will involve many meetings of the Council Plan Team, and these meetings are open to the public. The Council also will frequently discuss progress on the FMP at regular Council meetings. All Plan Team and Council meetings will be advertised in the Federal Register and local newspapers. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Larry Six, (see ADDRESSES), 503- 326-6352 (voice) or 503-326-6831 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 27, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-25462 Filed 9-27-99; 4:56 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F