Peer Review Plans

Title and Description:
Final Rule to Implement Speed Restrictions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with North Atlantic Right Whales
NMFS proposes to establish regulations to implement speed restrictions of no more than 10 knots applying to all vessels 65 ft (19.8 m) or greater in overall length in certain locations and at certain times of the year along the east coast of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. The purpose of the regulations is to reduce the likelihood of deaths and serious injuries to endangered North Atlantic right whales that result from collisions with ships.

ID:  44 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date:  3/31/2009
Contact Person:  Rebecca Rootes NOAA Locator

Date First Posted in Peer Review Agenda:  12/16/2005

Estimated Peer Review Start Date:  7/1/2006
Review type:  individual letters
Expected number of peer reviewers: 3 or fewer
Peer reviewers will be selected by:  the agency

Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers?  no

Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed?  yes

How?  Following publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement

When?  September, 2006

Will the agency provide significant and relevant public comments to the peer reviewers before they conduct their review?  yes

Primary disciplines or expertise needed in the review:  Reviewers will have background and understanding of large whale biology and conservation in the United States, and an understanding of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Comments on Peer Review:
ISI work product: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/fr/fr71-36299.pdf
Public Comments on work product: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/shipstrike/proposed_rule_public_comments.pdf
Charge statement to the peer reviewers: ID44_ChargeStmnt.doc
Final peer review report: ID44_PeerRevRpt_Wallmo.doc, ID44_PeerRevRpt_Brooks.pdf