[Federal Register: September 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 172)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53146-53147]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07se05-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 635
[I.D. 051603C]
RIN 0648-AQ65
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendments to the Fishery
Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the
FMP for Atlantic Billfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Cancelling and changing the location and time of certain public
hearings.
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SUMMARY: Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is
cancelling two public hearings on the draft consolidated Highly
Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and proposed rule
that were scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange
Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, respectively. NMFS intends to
reschedule the September 6 Orange Beach and September 8 New Orleans
public hearings at a later date. In addition, NMFS has changed the
location and time of the public hearing that was scheduled to be held
in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on October 3, 2005, at the African American
Arts and Cultural Center Research Library. The draft consolidated HMS
FMP and the proposed rule describe a range of management measures that
could impact fishermen and dealers for all HMS fisheries.
DATES: The Fort Lauderdale public hearing will still be held on Monday,
October 3, 2005. However, the new time will be from 7 - 10 p.m. The
hearings scheduled for September 6 and September 8, 2005, in Orange
Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA, have been cancelled and will be
rescheduled at a later date.
ADDRESSES: The new location of the Fort Lauderdale public hearing will
be the Broward County Main Library, 100 South Andrews Avenue, Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Stirratt or Karyl Brewster-
Geisz at (301) 713-2347.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Atlantic HMS fisheries are managed under
the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention
Act (ATCA). The FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks,
finalized in 1999, and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, finalized in
1988, are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
On August 19, 2005 (70 FR 48804), NMFS published a proposed rule
that, among other things, announced the availability of the draft
consolidated HMS FMP. Included in this proposed rule was a list of 24
public hearings throughout September and October 2005. These hearings
are scheduled for NMFS to receive comments from fishery participants
and other members of the public regarding the proposed rule and draft
HMS FMP. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, NMFS is
cancelling two public hearings that were scheduled for September 6 and
September 8, 2005, in Orange Beach, AL, and New Orleans, LA,
respectively. NMFS intends to reschedule the public hearings once the
amount of damaged caused by Hurricane Katrina in the affected Gulf
region has been assessed and the appropriate locations can be
determined. NMFS may extend the comment period, if necessary, to ensure
adequate opportunities for public comment by constituents in the
affected Gulf region. Notification of the new dates and locations would
be published in the Federal Register.
In addition, NMFS has changed the location and time of the public
hearing that was scheduled to be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on
October 3, 2005, at the African American Arts and Cultural Center
Research Library (see DATES and ADDRESSES). This change was due to
concerns raised by a constituent regarding public safety. NMFS verified
these concerns with local law enforcement. The schedule for the other
public hearings remains unchanged.
The public is reminded that NMFS expects participants at the public
hearings to conduct themselves appropriately. At the beginning of each
public hearing, a NMFS representative will explain the ground rules
(e.g., alcohol is prohibited from the hearing room; attendees will be
called to give their comments in the order in which they registered to
speak; each attendee will have an equal amount of time to speak; and
attendees should not
[[Page 53147]]
interrupt one another). The NMFS representative will attempt to
structure the hearing so that all attending members of the public will
be able to comment, if they so choose, regardless of the controversial
nature of the subject(s). Attendees are expected to respect the ground
rules, and, if they do not, they will be asked to leave the hearing.
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to Heather Stirratt, (301) 713-2347,
at least 7 days prior to the hearing in question.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 1, 2005.
John H. Dunnigan,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17749 Filed 9-1-05; 4:03 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S