This page is current through March 21. For more recent notices, go here. For NEPA notices, go here.
Friday, March 21 (March 21 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS issues an inseason adjustment opening the B fishing
season for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA)
for 12 hours effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 20,
2003, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., March 20, 2003 (3/21, p. 13858)
- NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 24 hours (3/21, p. 13857-8)
- NMFS corrects June 21 rule implementing RPAs of 3/29/01 BiOp on pelagic longline fisheries the reasonable and prudent alternative
of the March 29, 2001, Biological Opinion (3/21, p. 13857)
- NMFS plans to renew EFPs for vessels participating in an observation program to monitor the incidental take of salmon and groundfish in the shore-based component of the Pacific whiting fishery (3/21, p. 13891)
- The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
(OCRM) announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Rhode
Island Coastal Resources Management Program and the Kachemak Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alaska (3/21, p. 13903)
Thursday, March 20 (March 20 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis, reopens comment period on proposal to designate critical habitat for Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus (Ventura marsh milk-vetch) (3/20, p. 13663-4)
- FWS, NMFS announce plans to revise 1991
recovery plan for the loggerhead sea turtle. Comments requested by May 5. (3/20, p. 13662-3)
- FWS receives Houston toad ITP application (3/20, p. 13718-9)
- FWS: Second revision of red-cockaded woodpecker recovery plan available (3/20, p. 13719-20)
- FWS will conduct public scoping and prepare an EIS re: the development of an HCP for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy
Plover in Oregon (3/20, p. 13720-1)
- FWS, CDFG are preparing a joint EIS/EIR to address the
potential impacts of the Initial Stewardship Project for the South Bay Salt Ponds in south San Francisco Bay, California. (3/20, p. 13721-4)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (3/20, p. 13635)
- NOAA releases Coral Reef Action Strategy (3/20, p. 13688)
Wednesday, March 19 (March 19 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, March 18 (March 18 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS designates critical habitat for two larkspurs, coastal California plants (3/18, p. 12834-63)
- FWS designates CH for Keck's checkermallow (California plant) (3/18, p. 12863-80)
- FWS issues ITP for Briargate Development, El Paso County, Colorado (Preble's meadow jumping mouse) (3/18, p. 12930-1)
- FWS designates CH for 41 of 51 listed species known historically from the Hawaiian island of Molokai (3/18, p. 12981-13141)
- OMB approves NMFS collection-of-information
requirement for a Gear Restricted Area Exemption Program for Northeastern Scup Fishery (3/18, p. 12814-5)
- NMFS, Pacific Fishery Management Council to prepare EIS for Amendment 16 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (3/18, p. 12888-9)
Monday, March 17 (March 17 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS reopens comment period on Canada lynx, in response to court order. Comments will be accepted until April 16 (3/17, p. 12611-2)
- FWS proposes to allow depredation of double-breasted cormorants (3/17, p. 12653-60)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for Mead's milkweed (3/17, p. 12710-1)
- FWS receives draft EA/HCP for ITP application for Long Point Subdivision on Kelleys Island, Erie County, Ohio. "The Lake Erie water snake and its habitat occur on the 15-acre tract. Within the HCP boundary, 7 acres will be cleared and 6.1 acres permanently maintained for the proposed development of the seven residential lots known as the Long Point Subdivision." (3/17, p. 12711-2)
- FWS, NMFS gathering info to prepare DEIS on an application for incidental take of salmon/steelhead resulting from Washington Forest Practice Rules (3/17, p. 12676-8)
- FWS receives ES, marine mammal permit applications (3/17, p. 12709-10)
- FWS issues marine mammal permit (3/17, p. 12712)
- NOAA submits ICR to OMB for approval (Atlantic Highly
Migratory Species Recreational Landings Reports.) (3/17, p. 12674-5)
- NMFS suspends haddock trip limit for the groundfish fishery for the remainder of the 2002 fishing year (3/17, p. 12612-3)
Friday, March 14 (March 14 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS proposes to designate 360 acres in Fremont County, Wyoming, as critical habitat for desert yellowhead, Y. xanthocephalus (3/14, p. 12326-36)
- FWS reopens comment period on proposed CH and draft economic analysis "for four vernal pool crustaceans and eleven vernal pool plants in 36 counties in California and one county in Oregon." (3/14, p. 12336-7)
- Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Planning
Advisory Committee to meet April 16 and May 29 (3/14, p. 12363)
- NMFS has "received four scientific research permit applications and two applications to modify existing permits related to Pacific salmon and steelhead. All of the proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the ESA and to help guide management and conservation efforts." (3/14, p. 12342-3)
- NMFS, acting through the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, has prepared Secretarial Amendment 2 to the Reef Fish Fishery
Management Plan that would establish a 10-year stock rebuilding plan for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico. (3/14, p. 12344-5)
Thursday, March 13 (March 13 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (3/13, p. 11994)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). (3/13, p. 11994-5)
- FWS Northeast Region applies for endangered species permit (3/13, p. 12098)
- Howard C. Rosenbaum, Ph.D. and Robert DeSalle, Ph.D., American Museum of Natural History, Molecular Systematics Laboratory, 79th St. & Central Park West, New York, New York 10024, has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 876-1402-00 to extend the expiration date through June 30, 2003. (3/13, p. 12042)
Wednesday, March 12 (Feb. 12 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, March 11 (Feb. 14 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS says listing not warranted for Lower Kootenai River Burbot (Lota lota) because it is not a distinct population segment (DPS) "and, therefore, is not a listable entity" (12-month finding) (3/11, p. 11574-9)
- FWS plans to accept the transfer of 3,315 acres of land from the Bureau of Reclamation on April 8, 2003, to establish the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in Alamosa County, Colorado. (3/11, p. 11579)
- NMFS decides to focus on bycatch strategy instead of rulemaking, as requested in petition by Oceana. "NMFS has decided not to initiate rulemaking immediately, but instead to update and renew its commitment to a National Bycatch Strategy, which may eventually result in rulemaking for some fisheries." (3/11, p. 11501-18)
- NMFS considers proposing incidental take regulations to allow Navy missile launch operations from San Nicolas Island, Calif., to harass "small numbers of pinnipeds." Harassment would be allowed under a Letter of Authorization (3/11, p. 11527-33)
Monday, March 10 (March 10 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS proposes granting 30-year permits for Safe Harbor Agreement , in Lee County, Alabama, for the endangered ovate clubshell mussel (Pleurobema perovatum) and southern clubshell mussel (Pleurobema decisum), and the threatened fine-lined pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis altilis)
(3/10, p. 11405-6)
- NMFS proposes specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery for the 2003 fishing year, which is May 1, 2003, through April 30, 2004 (3/10, p. 11346-9)
Friday, March 7 (March 7 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, March 6 (March 6 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, March 5 (March 5 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, March 4 (March 4 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS receives recovery permit applications for T&E species (California (3/4, p. )
- FWS receives permit applications (scientific research, recovery and interstate commerce) (3/4, p. 10263-4)
- FWS receives recovery permit applications to take T&E species (California, Idaho, Hawaii). (3/4, p. 10261-2)
- NMFS has submitted an amendment to correct Amendment 14 to the FMP for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 14) and South Atlantic and Amendment 20 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 20) for review, approval, and implementation by the agency. (3/4, p. 10180-1)
- NMFS issues this final rule to implement approved measures contained in Amendment 13 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea
Bass Fishery Management Plan (3/4, p. 10181-4)
- NMFS releases EA to assess the impacts of issuing the International Whaling Commission (IWC) subsistence quota for bowhead whales to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC) for the years 2003 through 2007. (3/4, p. 10207-8)
- NMFS proposes to amend Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan regulations "to identify gear modifications that sufficiently reduce the risk of entanglement to western North Atlantic right whales under the Dynamic Area Management (DAM) program and, as such, would allow NMFS to utilize the option of allowing gear with certain modifications within a DAM zone. Specifically, NMFS proposes to identify Seasonal Area Management anchored gillnet and lobster trap/pot gear as gear that could be allowed within a DAM zone." (3/4, p. 10195-9)
Monday, March 3 (March 3 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval (Alaska Subsistence Household Survey) (3/3, p. 10024-6)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (3/3, p. 10026-7)
- FWS receives endangered species and marine
mammal permit applications (3/3, p. )
- FWS receives scientific research/enhancement of survival of endangered species permit applications. (3/3, p. 10027)
- FWS updates application instructions for grants under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (3/3, p. 10027-8)
- FWS issues marine mammal permits (3/3, p. 10029)
- North American Wetlands Conservation Council to meet March 4 (3/3, p. 10029)
- NMFS announces final 2003 harvest specifications, prohibited species catch allowances, and associated management measures for
the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (3/3, p. 9907-24)
- NMFS announces final 2003 harvest specifications for
groundfish, reserves and apportionments thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and associated management measures for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (3/3, p. 9924-42)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher processor vessels using pot gear and catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) and longer using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (3/3, p. 9942-3)
- NMFS amends portions of the regulations governing the halibut fishery under the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program (3/3, p. 9902-5)
- NMFS publishes revised 2003 commercial quotas for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. (3/3, p. 9905-7)
- NMFS corrects scoping meeting date re: New England Fishery Management Council's effort to prepare EIS on potential effects on the human environment of alternative measures for managing the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) fishery (3/3, p. 9968-9)
- NMFS extends comment period on an ANPR that announces that the agency is considering revisions to the national standard guidelines for national standard 1 that specify criteria for determining overfishing and establishing
rebuilding schedules. (3/3, p. 9967-8)
- MMS asks NMFS for authorization to harass small numbers of marine mammals, principally the sperm whale, incidental to conducting seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico (3/3, p. 9991-6)
- Jeff Schmid, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Naples, Fla., has been issued a modification to scientific research permit No. 1316 (Kemp's Ridley turtle) (3/3, p. 9997)
Friday, Feb. 28 (Feb. 28 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS final rule implements Framework 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (2/28, p. 9580-8)
- NMFS: North Pacific Fishery Management Council has
submitted Amendment 75 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area. This amendment would delay the effective date of requirements for 100-percent retention and utilization of rock sole and yellowfin sole from Jan. 1, 2003, until June 1, 2004 (2/28, p. 9630-1)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFPs that would allow up to 10 vessels to test the effectiveness of a 5.5-inch (13.97-cm) square mesh extension escapement panel for reducing bycatch of scup and retain Loligo squid inside the Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs), and up to 15 additional vessels to conduct fishing operations otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States (2/28, p. 9629-30)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFP that would exempt one vessel from the minimum mesh size requirements for the Gulf of Maine Regulated Mesh Area (RMA); regulations pertaining to the GOM Rolling Closure Areas II, III, IV, and V; days-at-sea (DAS) restrictions; and minimum fish size requirements. The experiment proposes to conduct a study to target cod and flounder using a modified trawl net constructed with a changeable inner mesh size codend surrounded by a small mesh codend cover to determine the selectivity of various square mesh sizes and mesh types. (2/28, p. 9628-9)
- NMFS extends ESA marine mammal permit (2/28, p. 9640-1)
- NMFS' National Marine Mammal Laboratory at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center receives permit to collect, import/export species from marine mammals for purposes of scientific research. (2/28, p. 9641)
Thursday, Feb. 27 (Feb. 27 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS designates critical habitat for 83 of the 95 species known historically from the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Niiha (2/27, p. 9115-9479)
- FWS releases CCP for Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Ellsworth, NE (2/27, p. 9092-3)
- FWS receives application (Tindall) for incidental take of
the Houston Toad (2/27, p. 9093-4)
- FWS reopens comment period on the draft Multiple Species HCP, draft Implementing Agreement, and Draft EIS for an incidental take permit for 146 species in western Riverside County, California (2/27, p. 9093)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator proposes to grant EFP to allow two vessels to conduct a supplemental finfish survey, and up to 15
additional vessels to conduct fishing operations otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States (2/27, p. 9044-5)
- NMFS plans to prepare EIS to identify and analyze a range of alternatives for fishing experiments to test methods of reducing the incidental take and mortality of threatened and endangered sea turtles by Pacific longline fisheries, as well as the issuance of any permits necessary for the conduct of this activity. (2/27, p. 9062-4)
- FWS provides an update on its intentions to revise and make available for public comment the following documents: (1) Draft karst feature survey guidance; (2) draft endangered karst invertebrate survey guidance; (3) draft preserve design to conserve endangered karst invertebrates guidance; and (4) draft recommendations for protection of water quality of the Edwards Aquifer. (2/27, p. 9094-5)
Wednesday, Feb. 26 (Feb. 26 Table of Contents from GPO)
- CWA enforcement: DOJ files proposed consent decree in case involving release of hazardous substances from a tanker truck into the Clinch River in Tazewell County, Virginia. Natural resource damages total $3.8 million, which will pay for restoring destroyed mussel habitat (U.S. v. Certus Inc., 02-95, W.D. Va.) (2/26, p. 8927)
- Wetlands enforcement: DOJ concent decree proposes $10,000 fine for filling wetlands (U.S. v. Hammond, 01-5559, N.D. Ill.). The proposed CD also requires Hammond to remove the fill material, restore the affected wetland, and place a deed restriction on the property. (2/26, p. 8927)
- FWS makes minor adjustment to Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Boundary (2/26, p. 8922-3)
- NMFS makes positive prelim. determination re: proposed EFP, which "would support research to test a dual panel single Nordmore grate system for commercial northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis, in the Gulf of Maine (2/26, p. 8872-3)
- NMFS plans to grant EFP allowing for experimentation with three different black sea bass escape vent sizes, and for compensation fishing to fund the research. (2/26, p. 8871-2)
Tuesday, Feb. 25 (Feb. 25 Table of Contents from GPO)
Monday, Feb. 24 (Feb. 24 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Feb. 21 (Feb. 21 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Feb. 20 (Feb. 20 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Feb. 19 (Feb. 19 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS designates critical habitat for Rio Grande silvery minnow (2/19, p. 8087-8135)
- FWS releases NRDA assessment plan for Ashtabula River and Harbor Site, which have been exposed to hazardous substances released by industrial activity at the Fields Brook Superfund Site and at the river and harbor (2/19, p. 8043-4)
- NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers-Jacksonville District for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to deepening the Dodge-Lummus Island Turning Basin in Miami, Fla. (Turning Basin) to a depth of 44 ft (2/19, p. 7984-6)
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, NMFS, NOAA,
Seattle, WA 98115-0070, (Dr. Sue Moore, Principal Investigator (PI)) has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 782-1438. (2/19, p. 7986-7)
Tuesday, Feb. 18 (Feb. 18 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Feb. 14 (Feb. 14 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval: Special Use Permit Application Form for Alaska Refuges (2/14, p. 7578-9)
- FWS releases Availability of a Draft National Management Plan for the Genus Eriocheir (2/14, p. 7579-80)
- FWS issues negative 12-month finding on petition to list the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) (2/14, p. 7580-608)
- Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel to meet Feb. 26-27 in Pensacola Beach, Fla. (2/14, p. 7608-9)
- NMFS publishes ANPR: The agency is considering revisions to the national standard guidelines for national standard 1 that specify criteria for determining overfishing and establishing rebuilding schedules. (2/14, p. 7492)
- Michael Moore, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass., has been issued a permit to collect, import and export parts from all cetaceans and pinniped species (excluding walrus) for purposes of scientific
research. (2/14, p. 7509)
- NMFS has received an application for an incidental take permit from Dr. Anne Rudloe, Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories Inc. (sea turtles) (2/14, p. 7505-6)
- NMFS announces the issuance of an exempted fishing permit for the South Carolina Aquarium, located in Charleston, S.C. The EFP would authorize the applicant, with certain conditions, to collect for public display annually, for 2 years, an average of 25 specimens each of numerous species of marine invertebrates and marine fish from federal waters off South Carolina. This EFP is similar to the previous EFP issued to the applicant that expired on Dec. 31, 2002. (2/14, p. 7508-9)
- NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 24 hours (Feb. 13-14) (2/14, p. 7448)
Thursday, Feb. 13 (Feb. 13 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (2/13, p. 7323-4)
- NMFS: At its 21st meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, Oct. 21 to Nov. 1, 2002, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, of which the U.S. is a member, adopted conservation measures, pending members' approval, pertaining to fishing in the CCAMLR Convention Area in Antarctic waters (2/13, p. 7348-50)
- FWS receives application from the Urban Wildlands Group for a Safe Harbor permit designed to "enhance survival" of the El Segundo blue
butterfly (2/13, p. 7385-7)
Wednesday, Feb. 12 (Feb. 12 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS, FS establish regulations for seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during the 2003 regulatory year (2/12, p. 7275-93)
- FWS, FS: This provides notice of the Federal Subsistence Board's change in harvest limits to protect moose populations in Units 21(D) and 24,
muskox populations in Unit 26(C), and caribou populations in Units 17(A) and (C) (2/12, p. 7298-300)
- FWS, FS propose a rule to establish regulations for fishing seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during the 2004-05 regulatory year. (2/12, p. 7294-7)
- NMFS extends public comment period through March 24, 2003, for an interim final rule published Dec. 24, 2002. The purpose of the interim rule is to prohibit fishing with drift gillnets in the California/Oregon (CA/OR) thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet fishery in U.S. waters off southern California, south of Point
Conception (34 degrees 27'N.) and west to the 120 degrees W., from Aug. 15 through Aug. 31, and Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, when the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries publishes a notice that El Nino conditions are present (2/12, p. 7080)
Tuesday, Feb. 11 (Feb. 11 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS proposes to issue Experimental Fishing Permit to support research to design, develop and test a soft species separation system for commercial flatfish trawls in the Gulf of Maine (2/11, p. 6863-4)
- FWS reopens comment period until May 12 on proposal to designate CH for the Klamath River and Columbia River distinct population segments of bull trout (2/11, p. 6863)
- FWS extends until March 29 the comment period on draft recovery plan for three of the five Distinct Population Segments of Bull Trout (2/11, p. 6932-4)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (2/11, p. 6931)
- FWS receices endangered species permit applications (2/11, p. 6931-2)
- FWS issues marine mammal permit (2/11, p. 6934)
- FWS issues marine mammal permit (2/11, p. 6934-5)
- NMFS issues final rule to implement Amendment 69 to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutians Area (FMP). This final rule will allow an American Fisheries Act (AFA) inshore cooperative to contract with a non-member vessel to harvest a portion of the cooperative's pollock allocation (2/11, p. 6833-7)
- NMFS proposes to increase the percentage of pollock roe that may be retained by operators of catcher/processors and motherships processing pollock harvested in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. (2/11, p. 6865-7)
Monday, Feb. 10 (Feb. 10 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Feb. 7 (Feb. 7 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS makes minor modification to the boundary of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge in the State of Alaska (2/7, p. 6496-7)
- FWS says listing of Mount Ashland lupine and Henderson's
horkelia is not warranted. (2/7, p. 6498-500)
- FWS says there is "insufficient evidence to indicate that the
western population of sage grouse is a valid subspecies or a Distinct Population Segment." (2/7, p. 6500-4)
- NMFS closes the commercial run-around gillnet fishery for
king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern Florida west coast subzone. (2/7, p. 6360-1)
- U.S. Air Force, Vandenberg A.F.B., receives permit to take California sea lions, northern elephant seals, northern fur seals, and Pacific harbor seals for purposes of scientific research. (2/7, p. 6419)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (2/7, p. 6497-8)
Thursday, Feb. 6 (Feb. 6 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Feb. 5 (Feb. 5 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Feb. 4 (Feb. 4 Table of Contents from GPO)
Monday, Feb. 3 (Feb. 3 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Jan. 31 (Jan. 31 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Jan. 30 (Jan. 30 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Jan. 29 (Jan. 29 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS issues 12-month finding on petition to list green sturgeon. "After reviewing the available scientific and commercial information, NMFS has determined that the petitioned species is comprised of two distinct population segments (DPSs) that qualify as species under the ESA, but that neither DPS warrants listing as a threatened or endangered species at this time." (1/29, p. 4433-41)
- NMFS has re-designated the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council as the lead council to develop a dolphin and wahoo fishery management plan in the exclusive economic zone for the U.S. Atlantic coast. (1/29, p. 4447-9)
- NMFS says that on Jan. 21, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order that stayed the implementation of the final finding made on Dec. 31, 2002, on the "dolphin-safe" labeling standard. The stay became effective on Jan. 23 and shall remain in effect for 90 days from the effective date or until a ruling is issued on a motion for a preliminary injunction (1/29, p. 4449)
- Gregory D. Bossart of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Ft. Pierce, Fla., has been issued a permit to take Atlantic bottlenose dolphins for purposes of scientific research. (1/29, p. 4450)
Tuesday, Jan. 28 (Jan. 28 Table of Contents from GPO)
- CWA enforcement: DOJ: Proposed consent decree would impose civil penalty of $2.5 million and comprehensive injunctive relief designed to address all of the known causes of the gasoline spill beginning on June 10, 1999 and covering the entire 400-mile Olympic pipeline system from which the spill occurred (U.S. v. Shell Pipeline Co. LP fka Equilon Pipeline Co. and Olympic Pipeline Co., CV02-1178R, W.D. Wa.). (1/28, p. 4231-2)
- CWA enforcement: DOJ: Proposed consent decree would impose civil penalty of $5 million and other relief consisting of a comprehensive pipeline spill prevention program covering 2,139 miles of pipeline in seven states (U.S. v. Shell Pipeline Co. LP fka Equilon Pipeline Co. and Olympic Pipeline Co., CV02-1178R, W.D. Wa.). (1/28, p. 4232-3)
- FWS reopens public comment period for the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the Mariana fruit bat and the Guam Micronesian kingfisher on Guam, and the Mariana crow on Guam and Rota and associated draft economic analysis (1/28, p. 4159-60)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis and draft EA for the proposal to designate critical habitat for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (1/28, p. 4160-1)
- FWS issues negative 90-day finding on petition to list tri-state flock of trumpeter swans as endangered. "Petition does not provide substantial information indicating that this flock is a Distinct Population Segment," FWS says. (1/28, p. 4221-8)
- FWS issues draft Recovery Plan for the Rough
Popcorn Flower (1/28, p. 4228-9)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (1/28, p. 4115)
- NMFS issues this final rule implementing a regulatory
amendment to correct minor oversights in the August 1, 2002, interim
final rule that implemented additional restrictions to reduce
overfishing on species managed under the Northeast (NE) Multispecies
Fishery Management Plan (1/28, p. 4113-5)
- NMFS extends for 30 days the public comment period on a proposed rule for establishing a fishing capacity reduction program for the crab species managed under the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as published on Dec. 12, 2002 (1/28, p. 4161-2)
- NMFS announces receipt of three EFP applications from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. If awarded, these EFPs would allow vessels with valid Washington State delivery permits to harvest and retain federally managed groundfish in closed rockfish conservation areas and to retain federally managed groundfish species in excess of cumulative trip limits. (1/28, p. 4162-3)
- NMFS receives scientific research permit applications (1/28, p. 4178-9)
Monday, Jan. 27 (Jan. 27 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Jan. 24 (Jan. 24 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Jan. 23 (Jan. 23 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Jan. 22 (Jan. 22 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS updates address for the submission of reports on
specimens of endangered species taken in defense of self or others, or in the course of official duty by employees of federal or State land management or conservation agencies. (1/22, p. 2919)
- FWS issues negative 90-day finding on petition to list the Mountain Quail (1/22, p. 3000-5)
- Region 1 releases list of ITPs, Safe Harbor Agreements, and Candidate Conservation Agreements it approved between November 2001-November 2002 (1/22, p. 3036-7)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for Atka mackerel with gears other than jig in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (1/22, p. 2920-1)
- NMFS notifies registered vessels of their assignments for
the A season Atka mackerel fishery in harvest limit area (HLA) 542 and/or 543 of the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (1/22, p. 2922)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the first seasonal allowance of the pollock interim total allowable catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 630 of the GOA (1/22, p. 2921-2)
- NMFS regulations contained in the interim rule published on Aug. 1, 2002, in order to reduce overfishing, are continued for an additional 180 days, after which subsequent Secretarial action may be taken to ensure that sufficient measures to reduce overfishing stay in effect until implementation of Amendment 13 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (1/22, p. 2919-20)
- NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management announces intent to evaluate the performance of the North Carolina Coastal Management Program and the Connecticut Coastal Management Program (1/22, p. 3012-3)
- Marine Mammal Research Program, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu Laboratory, has applied for a permit to take Hawaiian monk
seals (1/22, p. 3015-6)
Tuesday, Jan. 21 (Jan. 21 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Jan. 17 (Jan. 17 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS to prepare CCP and EA for Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Baldwin County, Alabama. (1/17, p. 2564-5)
- FWS to prepare CCPs and associated environmental documents for Des Lacs, Upper Souris, and J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuges in Northern North Dakota (1/17, p. 2565-6)
- FWS to prepare CCPS/EAs for Sabine, Cameron Prairie, and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana. (1/17, p. 2566)
- FWS receives ITP application (Houston Toad) (1/17, p. 2567-8)
- FWS grants permit to take Preble's meadow jumping mouse on the Lefever Property, El Paso County, Colo. (1/17, p. 2568)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (1/17, p. 2566-7)
- NMFS corrects Jan. 2 rule on Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures for the Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska (1/17, p. 2636)
Thursday, Jan. 16 (Jan. 16 Table of Contents from GPO)
- Wetlands enforcement: Proposed consent decree filed in U.S. v. Wilcox, Civ. No. 99-806 WRW, E.D. Ark.). The proposed decree would require defendant to (1) pay a $100,000 civil penalty; (2) restore approximately 50 acres of wetlands; and (3) provide approximately 55 acres of mitigation. (1/16, p. 2363)
- FWS says listing of Sierra Nevada DPS of Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (Rana muscosa) is warranted but precluded (1/16, p. 2283-303)
- FWS to submit ICR to OMB for approval re: information for application, permit, and reporting for Federal Subsistence Hunt, Designated Hunter, and Fish/Shellfish Harvest in Alaska. (1/16, p. 2347-8)
- FWS to submit ICR to OMB for approval (Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Membership Nomination Form, Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Membership Application Form, and Regional Advisory Council Member Evaluation--Candidate Interview Form (1/16, p. 2348-9)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for the Zapata
Bladderpod (1/16, p. 2350-1)
- NMFS final rule implements Amendment 5 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States (1/16, p. 2188-96)
- NMFS proposes regulations to implement Framework 15 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP (1/16, p. 2303-8)
- NOAA announces Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Revised Management Plan, including a boundary expansion (1/16, p. 2318-9)
- FWS receives ES scientific research permit applications (1/16, p. 2349-50)
Wednesday, Jan. 15 (Jan. 15 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Jan. 14 (Jan. 7 Table of Contents from GPO)
Monday, Jan. 13 (Jan. 13 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Jan. 10 (Jan. 10 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Jan. 9 (Jan. 7 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Jan. 8 (Jan. 8 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Jan. 7 (Jan. 7 Table of Contents from GPO)
Monday, Jan. 6 (Jan. 6 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Jan. 3 (Jan. 3 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Jan. 2 (Jan. 2 Table of Contents from GPO)
- Consent decree: National Marine Sanctuaries Act DOJ issues proposed consent decree in U.S. v. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co., Civ. No. 97-2510, consolidated with 97-10075, on Dec. 4, 2002) (1/2, p. 129)
- FWS releases Final Restoration Plan and EA for the Charles George Land
Reclamation Trust Superfund Site in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. (1/2, p. )
- NMFS final rule implements Steller sea lion protection measures to avoid the likelihood that the groundfish fisheries off Alaska will jeopardize the continued existence of the
western distinct population segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions or adversely modify its critical habitat. (1/2, p. 203-36)
- NMFS announces final initial specifications for the 2003
fishing year for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB); including an in-season adjustment provision for the 2003 mackerel joint venture processing (JVP) annual specification (1/2, p. 57-60)
- NMFS issues final specifications for the 2003 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries and makes preliminary adjustments to the 2003 commercial quotas for these fisheries (1/2, p. 60-68)
Tuesday, Dec. 31 (Dec. 31 Table of Contents from GPO)
Monday, Dec. 30 (Dec. 30 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS issues final regulations to implement American Fisheries Act (AFA)-related amendments: Amendment 61 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, Amendment 61 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner
Crab, and Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop
Fishery off Alaska.
"These four amendments incorporate the provisions of
the AFA into the fishery management plans (FMPs) and their implementing
regulations. The management measures include: measures that allocate
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) pollock
among the sectors of the pollock processing industry and restrict who
may fish for and process pollock within each industry sector; measures
that govern the formation and operation of fishery cooperatives in the
BSAI pollock fishery; harvesting and processing limits known as
sideboards to protect the participants in other fisheries from
spillover effects resulting from the rationalization of the BSAI
pollock fishery; measures that establish catch weighing and monitoring
requirements for vessels and processors that participate in the BSAI
pollock fishery; and extension of the inshore/offshore regime for
pollock and Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) through December
31, 2004. These amendments and management measures are necessary to
implement the AFA and are intended to do so in a manner consistent with
the environmental and socioeconomic objectives of AFA, the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act),
and other applicable laws."
(12/30, p. 79691-739)
- NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries announces voluntary restrictions consistent with the requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan's (ALWTRP) implementing regulations (12/30, p. 79536-7)
- NMFS corrects the formula for calculating the bid score in the preamble to the proposed rule for establishing a fishing capacity reduction program for the crab species managed under the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Fishery Management Plan (12/12/02; see below) (12/30, p. 79550-1)
- NMFS asks for comments on request from ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. for an authorization to take small numbers of ringed and bearded seals by harassment incidental to conducting on-ice seismic operations in the Beaufort Sea during oil and gas exploration activities. (12/30, p. 79565-70)
- NMFS grants amendment to scientific research permit (12/30, p. 79570-1)
Friday, Dec. 27 (Dec. 27 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS receives ES permit applications (12/27, p. 79130-1)
- FWS proposes guidance for the $4 million tribal component of the Landowner Incentive Program. (12/27, p. 79131-6)
- FWS issues draft implementation guidance for $5 million Tribal Wildlife Grant program provided for in FY 2002 appropriations bill (12/27, p. 79136-40)
- NMFS issues emergency rule establishing the commercial annual quotas for ridgeback and non-ridgeback large coastal sharks at 783 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) and 931 mt dw, respectively; establish the commercial annual quota for small coastal sharks (SCS) at 326 mt dw; and suspend the regulation regarding the commercial ridgeback LCS minimum size (12/27, p. 78990-3)
- NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina has
transferred 43,000 lb (19,504.5 kg) of its 2002 commercial quota to the
State of Maryland; and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has
transferred 150,000 lb (68,038.9 kg) of its 2002 commercial quota to
the State of New York (12/27, p. 78994-5)
- NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will be closed effective Dec. 24, 2002, through Dec. 31, 2002 (12/27, p. 78994)
Thursday, Dec. 26 (Dec. 26 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS extends comment period, releases draft economic analysis for proposed CH designation for Oahu plants. "Over a 10-year time period, the total section 7-related direct costs associated with the species' listings and critical
habitat are estimated at $1.1 million to $2.3 million." (12/26, p. 78763-5)
- FWS issues negative 90-day petition finding on Mono Basin area sage grouse (12/26, p. 78811-5)
- FHwA proposes to sign an agreement with FWS designating 25 acres of property owned by the Colorado DOT as a habitat
conservation bank for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (12/26, p. 78853-4)
- NMFS issues interim 2003 total allowable catch amounts
for each category of groundfish, Community Development Quota reserve amounts, American Fisheries Act pollock allocations and sideboard amounts, and prohibited species catch allowances and prohibited species quota reserves for the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (12/26, p. 78739-50)
- NMFS issues interim 2003 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for each category of groundfish, American Fisheries Act sideboard
amounts, and specifications for prohibited species catch amounts for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (12/26, p. 78733-8)
Tuesday, Dec. 24 (Dec. 24 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS designates critical habitat for five Carbonate plants from the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California (12/24, p. 78569-610)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (12/24, p. 78504-5)
- FWS grants permit to import one polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport-hunted from the Norwegian Bay population, Canada, for
personal use. (12/24, p. 78506)
- FWS grants permit to Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute for a permit to conduct scientific research to measure the sonar acoustic reflectivity of captive held Florida manatees (12/24, p. 78506)
- NMFS interim final rule prohibits fishing with
drift gillnets in the California/Oregon (CA/OR) thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet fishery in U.S. waters off southern California, south of Point Conception (34[deg]27' N.) and west to the 120[deg]W., from Aug. 15-31, and Jan. 1-31, when the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries publishes a notice that El Nino conditions are present. NMFS has determined that the incidental take of loggerhead sea turtles by this fishery correlates to the area and season being fished during these oceanographic conditions. (12/24, p. 78388-92)
- NMFS proposes to amend regulations governing the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery as they affect landing of BFT in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery (12/24, p. 78404-9)
Monday, Dec. 23 (Dec. 23 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Dec. 20 (Dec. 20 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Dec. 19 (Dec. 19 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Dec. 18 (Dec. 18 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis for the proposed
designations of critical habitat for 47 plant species from the island of Hawaii. (12/18, p. 77464-5)
- FWS reopens comment period until Feb. 15 on new status review for the westslope cutthroat trout (12/18, p. 77466)
- FWS reopens comment period on incidental take permits for condominium projects in Alabama beach mouse habitat (12/18, p. 77505-6)
- FWS releases draft EA, receives application for ITP (Preble's meadow jumping mouse) for The Meadows, Douglas County, Colo. (12/18, p. 77506-7)
- FWS accepting proposals for funding under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program. (12/18, p. 77507-8)
- Klamath Fishery Management Council to meet March 9 in Sacramento (12/18, p. 77508)
- Klamath Fishery Management Council to meet Feb. 27 and 28 in Brookings, Ore. (12/18, p. 77508-9)
- FWS announces meetings of the Klamath River Basin Fisheries Task Force, Feb. 19 and 20; June 18 and 19, and Oct. 22, (12/18, p. )
- NMFS announces Pacific halibut and red king crab bycatch rate standards for the first half of 2003. (12/18, p. 77439-41)
- NMFS has determined that the 2002 fishing year Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category quota will be attained by Dec. 15. Therefore, the General category fishery will be closed effective 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 (12/18, p. 77433-4)
- Under the framework provisions of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks, NMFS amends the
consolidated regulations governing the Atlantic HMS fisheries to define operations and regulations for HMS Charter/Headboats, require an Atlantic HMS recreational permit, adjust the time frame for permit category changes for Atlantic HMS and Atlantic tunas permits, clarify the regulations regarding the retention of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico by recreational and HMS CHB vessels, and allow NMFS to set differential BFT retention limits by vessel type (e.g., charter boats, headboats). (12/18, p. 77434-9)
Tuesday, Dec. 17 (Dec. 17 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS releases revised NRDA Assessment Plan for the St. Louis River/Interlake/Duluth Tar Superfund Site (12/17, p. 77287-8)
- FWS receives endangered species recovery permit applications (Quino checkerspot, salt marsh harvest mouse, California clapper rail, Nightingale reed-warbler, cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl, Sonoma and Santa Barbara distinct population segments of the California tiger salamander, San Diego ambrosia, Cook's lomatium, and large-flowered wooly meadowfoam) (12/17, p. 77286-7)
- NMFS issues this emergency rule to extend certain permit-
related deadlines contained in the final rule implementing the charter vessel/headboat permit moratorium for reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic fish in the Gulf of Mexico and to make minor logistical adjustments consistent with those deadline extensions, e.g., extend effectiveness of some existing permits (12/17, p. 77193-5)
- (12/17, p. )
Monday, Dec. 16 (Dec. 16 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Dec. 13 (Dec. 13 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS announces that commercial quota is available to allow the directed fishery for Loligo squid to remain open in the Northeast (12/13, p. 76701)
- NMFS issues marine mammal permit amendment to Thomas F. Norris, SAIC (whales) (12/13, p. 76727-8)
- Tracey Mueller, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, Sarasota, Fla., has been issued a permit to take threatened and endangered green turtles, endangered hawksbill turtles, endangered Kemp's ridley turtles, and threatened loggerhead turtles for purposes of scientific research (12/13, p. 76727)
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., BIN C15700, Seattle, WA, 98115 has been issued a permit to take Alaskan harbor seals and spotted seals for purposes of scientific research. (12/13, p. 76728)
- (12/13, p. )
Thursday, Dec. 12 (Dec. 12 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS says State of North Carolina is transferring 20,000 pounds of commercial summer flounder quota to Connecticut from its 2002 quota (12/12, p. 76318-9)
- NMFS proposes 2003 initial harvest specifications, prohibited
species bycatch allowances, and associated management measures for the
groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (12/12, p. )
- NMFS proposes 2003 initial harvest specifications for
groundfish, reserves and apportionment thereof, Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and associated management measures for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (12/12, p. 76344-62)
- NMFS proposes regulations for a fishing capacity reduction program in the fishery for the crab species managed under the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs Fishery Management Plan (12/12, p. 76329-44)
Wednesday, Dec. 11 (Dec. 11 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Dec. 10 (Dec. 10 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS designates critical habitat for Otay tarplant (12/10, p. 76029-53)
- FWS says listing of Yosemite toad is warranted, but precluded by higher priority listing actions
(12/10, p. 75834-43)
- FWS releases final addendum to the Recovery Plan for the Multi-Island Plants (Hawaii)
(12/10, p. 75861-2)
- NMFS withdraws restrictions and requests fishermen to voluntarily remove lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet gear in an area totaling approximately 1,600 square nautical miles (nm\2\) (2,965 km\2\), east of Portsmouth, NH, called Jeffreys Ledge, from Dec. 5 through Dec. 20 (12/10, p. 75817-8)
- NMFS has received an application for scientific research from California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) in Sacramento, CA (1408). This permit would affect three Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of salmonids
(12/10, p. 75848)
- NMFS issues modification to permit 1044 to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center
that authorizes take of Central California Coast steelhead (12/10, p. 75848-9)
Monday, Dec. 9 (Dec. 9 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Dec. 6 (Dec. 6 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Dec. 5 (Dec. 5 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis of the proposed
designations of critical habitat for the Mariana fruit bat and the Micronesian kingfisher on Guam, and the Mariana crow on Guam and Rota. (12/5, p. )
- FWS reopens the comment period for our proposal to list the mountain plover as a threatened species. FWS also proposes a special rule under the authority of section 4(d) of the Act, containing the prohibitions necessary to provide for
the conservation of the mountain plover. The prohibitions FWS proposes do not include a prohibition against the take of mountain plover during certain routine farming practices until December 31, 2004, in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Laramie and Goshen Counties, Wyoming. During this period, research will be conducted to determine the impact of farming practices on cultivated fields to mountain plover nesting success within the southern portion of the breeding range (12/5, p. 72396-72407)
Wednesday, Dec. 4 (Dec. 4 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Dec. 3 (Dec. 3 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS is enacting a seasonally adjusted gear restriction by
closing portions of the Mid-Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone waters to fishing with gillnets with a mesh size larger than 8-inch (20.3 cm) stretched mesh. The purpose of this action is to reduce the impact of large-mesh gillnet fisheries on endangered and threatened species of sea turtles, primarily the monkfish fishery which uses large-mesh gillnet gear and operates in the area when sea turtles are present. (12/3, p. 71895-900)
- NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the northern Florida west coast
subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel
resource. (12/3, p. 71901-2)
- NMFS reduces the trip limit in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king mackerel in the northern Florida west coast subzone to 500 lb (227 kg) of king mackerel per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (12/3, p. 71902-3)
- NMFS restricts lobster trap and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,600 square nautical miles (nm\2\) (2,965 km\2\), east of Portsmouth, NH, called Jeffreys Ledge, for 15 days. The purpose of this action is to provide immediate protection to an aggregation of North Atlantic right whales (right whales) (12/3, p. 71900-1)
Monday, Dec. 2 (Dec. 2 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Nov. 29 (Nov. 29 Table of Contents from GPO)
FWS proposes CH designation for Klamath River and Columbia River Distinct Population Segments of Bull Trout, releases draft recovery plan (11/29, p. 71235-438)
- FWS says it will hold another public hearing on the proposed rule to allow incidental take of Florida manatees under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The hearing will be held from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (11/29, p. 71127-8)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for three of the five Distinct Population Segments of Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) (11/29, p. 71439-41)
- FWS releases final EIS and final Roosevelt HCP for incidental take by the Salt River Project (11/29, p. 71193-4)
- FWS receives application for an ITP, opens comment period for an EA/HCP) for the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel in association with Camp Wilderness development project at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Pocahontas County, WV (11/29, p. 71192-3)
- FWS: The North American Wetlands Conservation Council will meet Dec. 3 to select NAWCA proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (11/29, p. 71194)
- FWS receives ESA scientific research/enhancement permit applications (11/29, p. 71191)
- FWS Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3, requests an amendment to his permit for scientific take activities of listed species in Region 3 to add the following species for scientific purposes and the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild, in accordance with listing, recovery outlines, recovery plans and/or other Service work for the species: Canada lynx, whooping crane, Lake Erie water snake, Tumbling Creek cavesnail, Scaleshell, Short's goldenrod, and Virginia sneezeweed (11/29, p. 71191-2)
- NMFS is correcting typographic errors in federal regulations. The intended effect of this action is regulatory accuracy, and it will
have no effect on any person fishing in the EEZ for any species (11/29, p. 71112)
- NMFS announces that 95 percent of the Atlantic herring total allowable catch allocated to Management Area 1A (Area 1A) for fishing year 2002 has been harvested (11/29, p. 71111-2)
Wednesday, Nov. 27 (Nov. 27 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS proposes designation of critical habitat for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (11/27, p. 71031-64)
- FWS Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force Northeast Regional Panel to meet Dec. 16 and 17 (11/27, p. 70963)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (11/27, p. 70961)
- FWS receives endangered species, marine mammal permit applications (11/27, p. 70962-3)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (11/27, p. 70961-2)
- FWS grants marine mammal permit (11/27, p. 70963)
- NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 60 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Area (11/27, p. 70859-60)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (11/27, p. 70858)
- NMFS proposes specifications for the 2003 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries (11/27, p. 70904-15)
- NOAA notifies the public of its implementation of amendments to the existing Area to be Avoided off the Washington Coast to include
all vessels of 1,600 gross tons and above solely in transit in accordance with the International Maritime Organization's adoption of MSC 75/24, para 6.7.4 on May 29, 2002. (11/27, p. 70933-4)
- Dr. Jeanette Wyneken, Florida Atlantic University, has applied for a permit to take green sea turtles for purposes of scientific research (11/27, p. 70934-5)
Tuesday, Nov. 26 (Nov. 26 Table of Contents from GPO)
Monday, Nov. 25 (Nov. 25 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using pot and trawl gear to catcher/processor vessels
using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI (11/25, p. 70557-8)
- NMFS announces that commercial quota is available to allow the directed fishery for Loligo squid to reopen (11/25, p. 70556)
- NMFS announces that the summer flounder commercial quota available to the State of Connecticut has been harvested (11/25, p. 70556-7)
- NMFS proposes a regulatory amendment that would revise the monkfish days-at-sea regulations (11/25, p. 70570-3)
- NMFS proposes a regulation to implement the annual harvest guideline for Pacific sardine in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast for the fishing season Jan. 1, 2003, through Dec. 31, 2003 (11/25, p. 70573-4)
- NMFS informs surf clam and ocean quahog allocation owners that they are required to purchase their year 2003 cage tags from a vendor (11/25, p. 70582)
- Dr. Elizabeth Wenner, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, applies for a permit to take loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, green,
leatherback, and hawksbill sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. (11/25, p. 70583-4)
Friday, Nov. 22 (Nov. 22 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Nov. 21 (Nov. 21 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS reopens comment period till Jan. 21, will hold public hearings on proposed designation of critical habitat for the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (11/21, p. 70202-3)
- FWS reopens comment period, releases draft economic analysis on proposed designation of critical habitat for Scotts Valley Polygonum (11/21, p. 70199-201)
- FWS releases economic analysis on proposed critical habitat designation for four vernal pool crustaceans and eleven vernal pool plants in California and Southern Oregon (11/21, p. 70201-2)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis on proposed designation of critical habitat for nine Bexar County, Texas, invertebrates (11/21, p. 70203-4)
- FWS reopens public comment period till Dec. 23 for the Technical/Agency Draft revised Recovery Plan for the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (11/21, p. 70237-40)
- FWS asks for comments on endangered species permit applications (11/21, p. 70236-7)
- NMFS amends regulations governing the unintentional
take of small numbers of seals incidental to routine operations of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant, Seabrook, NH. The purpose of this amendment is to replace the power plant's official owner/operator's name with a generic owner/operator designation. The technical amendment will also remove mitigation measures that are no longer applicable to the owner/operator of the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant. (11/21, p. 70180-1)
- NMFS asks for comments on request by South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to withdraw from joint preparation of a dolphin and wahoo FMP, and that the Secretary re-designate the SAFMC as lead for a dolphin and wahoo FMP encompassing only the U.S. Atlantic coast (i.e. excluding the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Caribbean regions). (11/21, p. 70214-5)
Wednesday, Nov. 20 (Nov. 20 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Nov. 19 (Nov. 19 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval. "This information collection approval request seeks approval for us
to continue conducting the Sandhill Crane Harvest Survey." (11/19, p. 69756-7)
- FWS extends due date for submission of project proposals for federal assistance under the FY 2002 Private Stewardship Grants Program (11/19, p. 69757-9)
- NMFS issues negative 12-month finding on petition to list Bocaccio as threatened (11/19, p. 69704-8)
- NMFS issues positive 90-day finding on petition to revise critical habitat for the endangered western North Atlantic right whales (11/19, p. 69708-10)
- NMFS final rule modifies the regulations implementing Framework Adjustment 35 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. Framework 35 established an exempted small mesh whiting fishery in the Gulf of Maine, near Provincetown, Mass.. The fishery occurs from Sept. 1-Nov. 20 each year and requires the use of raised footrope trawl gear. The rule modifies the boundaries of the current exemption area through inclusion of an area east of Cape Cod and allows the fishery to continue in the newly added eastern portion of the exemption area through Dec. 31 of each year. (11/19, p. 69694-6)
- NMFS receives application to modify a permit from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz, Calif. The modified permit would affect five Evolutionarily Significant Units of salmonids. (11/19, p. 69723 )
- NMFS announces which individuals or organizations have recently been issued a permit or permit amendment to take Steller sea lions (11/19, p. 69724-5)
- Texas A&M University, Department of Marine Biology, requests amendment to scientific research Permit No. 821-1588-01 (Weddell seals, sperm whales) (11/19, p. 69725-6)
Monday, Nov. 18 (Nov. 18 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Nov. 15 (Nov. 15 Table of Contents from GPO)
- Wetlands enforcement: United States v. Janice D. Todd, Civil Action No. 2:01-2179-11 (D.S.C.), was lodged with the United States District Court for the District South Carolina on November 6, 2002. This proposed Consent Decree concerns a complaint filed by the United States of America against Janice D. Todd, pursuant to section 301 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), to obtain injunctive relief from and impose civil penalties against the Defendant for constructing a logging road in wetlands adjacent to the Little Salkehatchie River in Colleton County, South Carolina (11/15, p. 69244)
- FWS issues draft economic analysis on proposed CH designation for Blackburn's sphinx moth. Over a 10-year period, the draft economic analysis shows a range of direct costs from $1.2 to $1.9 million, and the possibility of indirect costs approaching $500 million. However, many of the indirect costs shown in the analysis result from uncertain and possibly unlikely future private and governmental actions, and we expressly request comments as to the likelihood of these actions occurring and of the indicated costs from these possible actions being incurred (11/15, p. 69179-80)
- FWS issues draft economic analysis on proposed CH designation for the Kauai Cave Wolf Spider and Kauai Cave Amphipod. The draft economic analysis shows a range of likely costs from the proposed designation of between $743 million to $1.955 billion over the 18-year period from 2003 to 2020. (11/15, p. 69177-9)
- FWS reopens comment period on CH proposal for 32 plants from the island of Lanai, to consider new information (11/15, p. 69176-7)
- FWS releases draft EIS/EIR, receives application for an ITP for the Western Riverside County Multiple Species HCP (11/15, p. 69236-8)
- NMFS announces that the black sea bass commercial quota available in the Quarter 4 period to the coastal states from Maine through North Carolina has been harvested (11/15, p. 69148)
- NMFS announces its intent to prepare an EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act to assess the potential effects on the human environment of its proposed action to initiate Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks based on the results of the 2002 stock assessments of large coastal sharks (LCS) and small coastal sharks (SCS). (11/15, p. 69180-1)
- NMFS proposes specifications for the 2003 Atlantic herring fishery. The regulations for the Atlantic herring fishery require NMFS to publish specifications for the upcoming year and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The intent of the specifications is to conserve and manage the Atlantic herring resource and provide for a sustainable fishery (11/15, p. )
- NMFS amends permit No. 774-1649-00 issued to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, Calif. The Amended Permit authorizes the Holder to capture, weigh, measure, tag and release southern elephant seal pups (11/15, p. 69201)
Thursday, Nov. 14 (Nov. 14 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Nov. 13 (Nov. 13 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Nov. 12 (Nov. 12 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Nov. 8 (Nov. 8 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Nov. 7 (Nov. 7 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS lists as endangered Cook's Lomatium and large-flowered woolly meadowfoam, both plants from Southern Oregon (11/7, p. 68003-15)
- FWS designates critical habitat for Lompoc yerba santa and Gaviota tarplant (11/7, p. 67967-68001)
- FWS withdraws proposed rule to remove the Northern Populations of the Tidewater Goby from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife (11/7, p. 67803-18)
- FWS receives applications for scientific research permits (11/7, p. 67863-4)
- NMFS issues this temporary authorization to allow the use of limited tow times by shrimp trawlers as an alternative to the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in certain waters off Louisiana and Alabama (11/7, p. 67793-5)
- NMFS issues this temporary action to allow the use of limited tow times by shrimp trawlers as an alternative to the use of Turtle Excluder Devices in the waters off Mississippi (11/7, p. 67795-8)
- NMFS opens directed fishing by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska. This action is necessary to fully use the 2002 halibut bycatch allowance for trawl gear in the GOA (11/7, p. 67798)
- NMFS receives application for scientific research from California Department of Fish and Game in Chico, Calif. (11/7, p. 67825)
Wednesday, Nov. 6 (Nov. 6 Table of Contents from GPO)
No notices Tuesday, Nov. 5
Monday, Nov. 4 (Nov. 4 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Nov. 1 (Nov. 1 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Oct. 31 (Oct. 31 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS re-opens comment period until Dec. 2 on Sacramento splittail threatened listing, in order to examine new statistical analyses (10/31, p. 66344-6)
- FWS extends comment period until Dec. 16 on listing of Sonoma County DPS of the California Tiger Salamander as endangered (10/31, p. 66377-8)
- FWS releases economic analysis for proposed CH designation for Keck's checkermallow (10/31, p. 66378-9)
- FWS, in coordination with Kern County, will prepare a joint EIS/EIR on the Kern County Valley Floor HCP. Under the plan, which covers 1.99 million acres of the Valley Floor in Kern County, California, the county would request permit to take 11 listed species and 17 unlisted species that may become listed in the future. (10/31, p. 66413-5)
- FWS announces tentative U.S. positions on provisional agenda for the twelfth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES). FWS also says it is extending comment period. It will consider comments if received by Oct. 31 (today). (10/31, p. 66463-92)
Wednesday, Oct. 30 (Oct. 30 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS receives endangered species permit application. Randy Miller's Predators In Action wants a "permit to export and re-import captive-
born tigers to/from worldwide locations to enhance the survival of the species through conservation education."
- FWS receives applications to import sport-hunted bonteboks, polar bear (10/30, p. 66166)
- FWS receives applications to import a sport-hunted bontebok (10/30, p. 66166)
- FWS grants permit to import polar bear (10/30, p. 66167)
- NMFS announces that the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 13 to the Summer Flounder,
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan for Secretarial review and is requesting comments from the public. Amendment 13 is intended to revise the quota management program for the black sea bass commercial fishery in order to manage the fishery more effectively and to consider management measures to minimize the effects of fishing on essential fish habitat (10/30, p. 66103)
- NMFS has determined that the 2002 fishing year Atlantic
bluefin tuna General category quota will be attained by Oct. 25. Therefore, the General category fishery will be closed (was closed) effective 11:30 p.m. on that date. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the total adjusted General category quota of
777.0 metric tons (mt) (10/30, p. 66072)
- NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in the exclusive economic zone will be closed effective Nov. 2 (10/30, p. 66072-3)
- NMFS proposes a regulation to implement Amendment 10 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan, which was submitted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council for review and approval by the Secretary of Commerce (10/30, p. 66103-7)
- NMFS has amended research and enhancement permit 1094 held by the State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The amended permit authorizes WDFW to manage adult hatchery steelhead returns that are surplus to recovery and broodstock needs. (10/30, p. 66127)
- NMFS issues permit modification to take sea turtles for purposes of scientific research/enhancement, to REMSA Inc., 12829 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA (10/30, p. 66128-9)
- Between July 31 and Sept. 27, 2002, NOAA Fisheries' Northwest Region issued 32 permits, permit modifications, and permit amendments allowing endangered and threatened species of Pacific salmon and steelhead to be taken for scientific research purposes under section 10(a)1(A) the ESA (10/30, p. 66129-30)
- Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn., has been issued a permit amendment to take Steller sea lions for purposes of scientific research and enhancement. (10/30, p. 66127-8)
Tuesday, Oct. 29 (Oct. 29 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS issues positive 90-day finding on western gray squirrel listing petition (10/29, p. 65931-3)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval (Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Membership Application Form). (10/29, p. )
- FWS receives ITP application from Terra Springs, LLC for the northern spotted owl (10/29, p. 65998-9)
- NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource. (10/29, p. 65902)
- NMFS announces approval of a regulatory amendment to revise sablefish tier qualifications for the limited entry, fixed gear, primary sablefish fishery (10/29, p. 65902-6)
- The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has
submitted Amendment 72 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Amendment 64 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. (10/29, p. 65941)
- NMFS proposes initial specifications for the 2003 fishing year for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (10/29, p. 65934-8)
- NMFS Northeast Administrator makes preliminary positive determination on application for EFP, which proposes to conduct a study of an experimental bycatch reduction device in order to develop otter trawl gear for the NE
Multispecies fishery that would result in reduced catch of Atlantic
cod. (10/29, p. 65933-4)
- NMFS proposes quotas for the Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog, and Maine mahogany ocean quahog fisheries for 2003 (10/29, p. 65938-41)
- NMFS reopens until Nov. 22 the public comment period on the Draft Programmatic EIS for Pacific Salmon Fisheries Management off the Coasts of Southeast Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California, and in the Columbia River Basin. (10/29, p. 65954)
Monday, Oct. 28 (Oct. 28 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for all salmon
except coho in the area from Humbug Mountain, OR to the Oregon-California Border was closed at midnight on Sept. 9. The Northwest Regional Administrator determined that the quota of 2,000 chinook salmon had been reached. (10/28, p. 65729-30)
- NMFS announces that the ceremonial and subsistence (C&S) harvest regulations for the Quileute Tribe were modified to extend the C&S fishery through midnight on Tuesday, October 15, 2002, with a possession and landing limit of 20 salmon per day, and all size restrictions suspended for the duration of the fishery. (10/28, p. 65728-9)
- NMFS announces that the recreational fishery in the area from Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR (Columbia River Area), was modified to close at midnight on Monday, Sept. 2, 2002, and then reopen Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, through midnight on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002 (10/28, p. )
- NMFS is issuing a correction to the interim final rule and
final rule implementing the ALWTRP's Seasonal Area Management and Dynamic Area Management programs, respectively, which were published in the FR on Jan. 9, 2002 (10/28, p. 65722-7)
Friday, Oct. 25 (Oct. 25 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area from the Oregon-California Border to the Humboldt South Jetty, was modified to
close at midnight on Friday, Sept. 20, and then reopen Sept 26, through midnight on Sept. 27. On Sept. 19, the Northwest Regional Administrator, NMFS determined that available catch and effort data indicated that the quota of 10,000 chinook salmon would be reached
by September 20. However, after reevaluating the available catch and effort data on September 24, it was found that there was enough salmon left in the chinook quota to allow an additional 2 days of fishing. These actions were necessary to conform to the 2002 management goals. (10/25, p. 65514-6)
Thursday, Oct. 24 (Oct. 24 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 (Oct. 23 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Oct. 22 (Oct. 22 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS announces that the annual quota for the Maine mahogany quahog fishery has been harvested (10/22, p. 64825)
- Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Tilefish Fishery; Continuation of Specifications for the 2003 Fishing Year (10/22, p. 64825-6)
- NMFS closes 2002 catcher/processor fishery for Pacific whiting (whiting) at 0000 local time (l.t.) Oct. 16, 2002, because the allocation for the catcher/processor sector will be reached by that time (10/22, p. 64826)
- NMFS: "This document corrects the phone number for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that was listed in the proposed rule that would implement those parts of the FMP for Coral Reef Ecosystems of the Western Pacific Region that were approved by the Secretary of Commerce published Sept. 24. It also removes Secretary of Commerce and replaces it with Secretary of the Interior (10/22, p. 64861)
- NOAA: This notice provides additional scheduling information concerning a public hearing to be held by NOAA in Tarrytown, N.Y. The hearing involves an administrative appeal filed with the Department of Commerce by the
Millenium Pipeline Company (Consistency Appeal of Millennium Pipeline Company, L.P.). (10/22, p. 64874)
- NOAA issues draft guidance for the Coastal and
Estuarine Land Conservation Program (10/22, p. 64874-5)
Monday, Oct. 21 (Oct. 21 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Oct. 18 (Oct. 18 Table of Contents from GPO)
- Enforcement: DOJ proposed consent decree arising from a spill from an oil pipeline in Southern California, operated by Mobil Oil Corporation. Complaint filed with CD "seeks recovery by the [U.S.] of natural resource damages and civil penalties under Section 311 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1321, and Sections 1002 and 1006 of OPA, 33 U.S.C. 2702, 2706, and recovery by the State of California of natural resource damages, civil penalties, and other damages under State of California law." Proposed CD "resolves those claims in consideration of a total payment by ExxonMobil of $4.7 million, consisting of $3.45 million in natural resource damages, damage assessment costs, and planning and oversight costs; $600,000 in federal civil penalties, and $650,000 in state civil penalties and damages." (10/18, p. 64415-6)
- DOJ proposed consent decree requires Remi Bourdeau "to pay a $15,000 civil penalty, complete restoration work in the wetland, and implement
a monitoring plan to periodically assess the success of the restoration work. In addition, the consent decree prohibits the defendant from discharging any pollutant into waters of the United States." (10/18, p. 64417)
- FWS issues guidelines "to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of Government information disseminated to the
public." (10/18, p. 64407)
- NMFS corrects the Steller sea lion emergency interim rule, as amended, corrected, and extended, which contains regulations relating to Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska. This action also corrects the recordkeeping and reporting final rule and its correction. This action is necessary to re-instate appropriate
applicability dates and correct other errors and omissions that occurred. (10/18, p. 64315-9)
- NMFS issues technical amendment to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species regulations (10/18, p. 64311-2)
Thursday, Oct. 17 (Oct. 17 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for the Star Cactus, located on one site on private land in Starr County, Texas (10/17, p. 64130)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish by vessels
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock (10/17, p. 64066)
- NMFS announces the availability of a stock assessment report on large coastal sharks (LCS) in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, prepared by the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and a final meeting report of the shark evaluation workshop held in Panama City, Fla., June 24 through June 28, 2002.
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, AK, has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 358-1585-01 (harbor seals). (10/17, p. 64098)
Wednesday, Oct. 16 (Oct. 16 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Oct. 15 (Oct. 15 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS proposes designation of critical habitat for the Mariana fruit bat, Guam Micronesian kingfisher, and Mariana crow. Designation of critical habitat "would not be prudent for the little Mariana fruit bat, Guam broadbill, and bridled white-eye because all three species likely are extinct." (10/15, p. 63737-72)
- FWS: Notice of application for a natural gas pipeline right-of-way on Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. (10/15, p. 63674)
- NMFS proposes amendments to the regulations governing the halibut fishery under the Western Alaska Community Development Quota Program (10/15, p. 63600-3)
- NMFS corrects the address and phone number for the
Pacific Fishery Management Council in the notice of availability of Amendment 10, which was published Oct. 3, 2002. (10/15, p. 63599-600)
Monday, Oct. 14 was a Federal Holiday
Friday, Oct. 11 (Oct. 11 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS releases Recovery Plan for Illinois Cave Amphipod (10/11, p. 63442-3)
- FWS releases Recovery Plan for Pitcher's Thistle (10/11, p. 63443-4)
- FWS proposes to grant permit for development of a single-family home in habitat of the Morro shoulderband snail (Gosnell Habitat Conservation Plan) in San Luis Obispo County, California (10/11, p. 63444-5)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (10/11, p. 63312)
- NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia and the States of Florida and Rhode Island have transferred 100,000 lb (45,372
kg), 200,000 lb (90,744 kg), and 125,000 lb (56,689 kg), respectively,
of their 2002 adjusted commercial quotas to New York (10/11, p. 63311-2)
Thursday, Oct. 10 (Oct. 10 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS sets public hearing for Oct. 29 on critical habitat proposal for Blackburn's sphinx moth (10/10, p. 63064-5)
- FWS extends public comment period, sets public hearing, on proposal to designate CH for 99 plants on island of Oahu (10/10, p. 63066-7)
- FWS sets three public hearings on proposed rule to designate critical habitat for 4 crustaceans and 11 plants endemic to vernal pools in California and southern Oregon. (10/10, p. 63067-9)
- Chula Vista, Calif., applies to FWS for a 50-year ITP that would authorize incidental take of 13 threatened or endangered animal species, one animal species proposed to be listed as threatened, and 26 currently unlisted animal species of concern in the event that these species become listed during the term of the permit. The permit also would "cover" 14 listed plant species, the take of which is not prohibited under federal law. (10/10, p. 63147-9)
- FWS, as a natural resource trustee, announces the release of the NRDA for the Hudson River Superfund Site. The plan describes the activities that
constitute the trustees' currently proposed approach to conducting the assessment of natural resources exposed to PCBs (10/10, p. 63149-50)
- NMFS issues final rule to implement approved measures
contained in the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan (10/10, p. 63221-35)
- NMFS announces that the recreational fishery in the area from the Queets River to Leadbetter Point, WA (Westport Area), was modified
to reopen Sunday, Aug. 18 through midnight on Monday, Aug. 19, 2002 (10/10, p. 63055-7)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR was modified to reopen on August 22, 2002, and close at midnight, August 28, 2002, with a vessel limit of 250 chinook salmon for the entire 7-day open period (10/10, p. 63057-8)
- NMFS: Dr. David Secor, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, has been issued a permit
to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for purposes of scientific research. (10/10, p. 63078-9)
- NMFS returns application submitted by Robert K. Metzger, Metzger Wildlife Surveys, 1327 North Wheaton Drive, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, to take green, hawksbill, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley and leatherback sea turtles along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico for purposes of scientific research. (10/10, p. 63078)
- Jim Johnston, Chief Environmental Planner, United States Air Force, Environmental Management Office, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 93437, has applied for a permit to take California sea lions, northern elephant seals, northern fur seals, and Pacific harbor seals for purposes of scientific research (10/10, p. 63079)
- NMFS' National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle has applied for: (1) a permit to take an unspecified number of specimen materials from dead animals of the Orders Cetacea and Pinnipedia (except walrus) for purposes of scientific research; and (2) an amendment to permit 782-1438. (10/10, p. 63079-80)
Wednesday, Oct.9 (Oct. 9 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS designates 74 acres in Humboldt County, California, as critical habitat for the Kneeland Prairie penny-cress (10/9, p. 62897-910)
- FWS proposes 420 acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, California, as CH for Ventura marsh milk-vetch (10/9, p. 62926-45)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for the Kneeland
Prairie Penny-Cress (Thlaspi californicum) (10/9, p. 62979)
- FWS receives permit applications to conduct scientific research and enhancement of survival of endangered species (10/9, p. 62978)
- FWS releases final marine mammal stock assessment
reports for Pacific walrus, polar bear, and sea otter in Alaska (10/9, p. 62979-83)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (10/9, p. 62910)
Tuesday, Oct. 8 (Oct.8 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS announces intent to prepare an EIS re: the proposed Gulf Highlands Area HCP, issuance of two permits for the incidental take of the Alabama beach mouse (10/8, p. 62809-10)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (10/8, p. 62808-9)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (10/8, p. 62651)
- NMFS announces adjustments to the 2002 commercial Atlantic bluefish quota for the States of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia. (10/8, p. 62650-1)
- On August 26, 2002, NMFS announced that new information is available that indicates fine-scaled stock structure of harbor seals in
Alaska. NMFS invited the public to submit additional information or viewpoints related to harbor seal stock structure in Alaska. (10/8, p. 62698)
- Michael A. Castellini, Ph.D., Institute of Marine Science, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, has been issued a permit to take Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) and other Antarctic pinnipeds for purposes of scientific research. (10/8, p. 62699)
Monday, Oct. 7 (Oct. 7 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Oct. 4 (Oct. 4 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS adds all species of snakehead fishes in the Channidae family to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. (10/4, p. 62193-204)
- FWS issues ITP for take of Preble's meadow jumping mouse at the Lincoln Meadows Commercial Development, Douglas County, CO (10/4, p. 62259)
- NMFS has identified the Pribilof Islands blue king crab
(Paralithodes platypus) stock as overfished (10/4, p. 62212-3)
- NMFS announces changes in the certain trip limits for the
Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries (10/4, p. 62204-62212)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator proposes to issue an EFP to conduct a study of an experimental bycatch reduction device in order to develop otter trawl gear for the NE multispecies fishery that would result in reduced catch of Atlantic cod. (10/4, p. 62222-3)
- NMFS reopens comment period for a proposed evaluation and pending determination by the Secretary of Commerce as to how a Resource Management Plan addresses ESA criteria. The RMP was submitted jointly by the Makah Indian Tribe and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as the co-managing fisheries resource manager, pursuant to the ESA protective regulations promulgated for the Ozette Lake Sockeye Salmon Evolutionary Significant Unit (10/4, p. 62229-30)
- NMFS releases the final recovery plan for
Johnson's seagrass (10/4, p. 62230-3)
- NMFS issues marine mammal permit amendment to Ocean Alliance/Whale Conservation Institute, 191 Weston Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 (Dr. Roger S. Payne, Principal Investigator) (10/4, p. 62234)
- NMFS issues permit to Robert A. Garrott, Ph.D., Ecology
Department, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, Montana
59717 (PI: Dr. Robert Garrott), to take Antarctic pinnipeds for purposes of scientific research. (10/4, p. 62233)
Thursday, Oct. 3 (Oct. 3 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS: Notice of Withdrawal of the Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge Proposal and Availability of the Little Darby Creek Conservation Through Local Initiatives Final Report (10/3, p. 62075)
- FWS receives applications for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species (10/3, p. 62074-5)
- NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). This final rule establishes a Federal trap limitation program for the commercial stone crab fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Florida's west coast, including the area off Monroe County, FL (i.e., the management area) that complements the stone crab trap limitation program implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (10/3, p. 61990-3)
- NMFS issues a regulation to implement the annual harvest guideline for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast (10/3, p. 61994-5)
- NMFS says effective date of ICR re: accidental hooking or entanglement of endangered short-tailed albatrosswill be Oct. 10, not Sept. 30 (10/3, p. 61994)
- NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 10 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan for Secretarial review (10/3, p. 62001-2)
- NMFS reopens public comment period on a draft Code of Conduct for Responsible Aquaculture in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. NMFS also announces a schedule change for the publication of a final Code of Conduct. (10/3, p. 62019)
Wednesday, Oct. 2 (Oct. 2 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS reopens, extends comment period on proposal to designate CH for plants from Maui and Kahoolawe, Hawaii. Draft economic analysis released. (10/2, p. 61845-6)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the
Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) (10/2, p. 61827-8)
- NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using trawl and jig gear to vessels using hook-and-
line or pot gear in the BSAI (10/2, p. 61826-7)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (10/2, p. 61826)
- NMFS corrects DBCA latitude/longitude coordinates implemented by emergency rulemaking in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery and published Sept. 13, 2002 (10/2, p. 61824-6)
- NMFS, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, CA 92037, has requested an amendment to Permit No. 774-1649 to take Southern elephant seals (10/2, p. 61850-1)
Tuesday, Oct. 1 (Oct. 1 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS amends special Preble's meadow jumping mouse regulations to exempt certain noxious weed control and ditch maintenance activities from section 9 take prohibitions. (10/1, p. 61531-7)
- FWS releases final guidelines for how it will allocate $40 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for conservation grants to states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, and tribes under a Landowner Incentive Program. Request for proposals by Dec. 1. The service will address the tribal component of LIP under a separate notice. (10/1, p. 61640-8)
- FWS releases final guidelines for distribution of $10 million in private stewardship grants money for FY 02. (10/1, p. 61649-62)
- NMFS announces the final initial specifications for the
Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery to set BFT quotas and General category effort controls for the fishing year beginning June 1, 2002. (10/1, p. 61537-41)
- NOAA issues final regulations for the assessment
of natural resource damages pursuant to section 1006(e)(1) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (10/1, p. 61483-93)
- NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program releases final revised management plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (10/1, p. 61598)
Monday, Sept. 30 (Sept. 30 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the
Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (9/30, p. 61291)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (9/30, p. 61292)
- NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management will evaluate the performance of the Chesapeake Bay-Maryland National Estuarine Research Reserve. (9/30, p. 61322)
- NMFS issues Incidental Harassment Authorization to the California Department of Transportation to take small numbers of Pacific harbor seals and possibly California sea lions, by harassment, incidental to seismic retrofit construction of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Calif. (9/30, p. 61323-7)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (9/30, p. 61349)
- Wildlands, Inc. in Citrus Heights, Calif., and the California Department of Water Resources in Sacramento apply for scientific research permits affecting three Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of salmonids (9/30, p. 61327)
Friday, Sept. 27 (Sept. 27 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS designates CH for Appalchian Elktoe (9/27, p. 61016-40)
- FWS asks OMB "to approve the collection of information for preserving the unwritten knowledge (oral history) of the long-term residents of the southwest Alaska region in the vicinity of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge." (9/27, p. 61151-2)
- NMFS says listing the barndoor skate is not warranted (9/27, p. 61055-61)
- NMFS announces that the scup commercial quota available in the summer period to the coastal states from Maine to North Carolina has been harvested (9/27, p. 61040-1)
- NMFS announces that the recreational fishery in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR was modified to close to chinook retention effective Saturday, August 10, 2002, in the Neah Bay, La Push, and Columbia River sub-areas (9/27, p. 61041-2)
- NMFS receives application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from the California Department of Fish and Game. This EFP application applies to vessels with valid California State delivery permits fishing for flatfish with small footrope trawl gear in federal waters off the state of California (9/27, p. 61061-2)
- Dr. Stephen J. Morreale, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, has been issued a permit to take loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, green and
leatherback sea turtles for purposes of scientific research (9/27, p. 61073-4)
Thursday, Sept. 26 (Sept. 26 Table of Contents from GPO)
- NMFS prohibits trawling in the Chum Salmon Savings Area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) (9/26, p. 60602)
- NMFS is prohibiting retention of thornyhead rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) (9/26, p. 60602-3)
- NMFS announces reallocation of the remaining Pacific
sardine harvest guideline in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast (9/26, p. 60601-2)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR was modified to reopen on Aug.9, 2002, and close at midnight, August 18, 2002, with a vessel limit of 400 chinook salmon for the entire 10-day open period (9/26, p. 60599-601)
Wednesday, Sept. 25 (Sept. 25 Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Sept. 24 (Sept. 24 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS announces two public hearings on proposed critical habitat designations for 47 plants from the island of Hawaii. Comment period extended until Nov. 30 (9/24, p. 59811-3)
- FWS proposes critical habitat designation for 4 vernal pool crustaceans and 11 vernal pool plants. Total area proposed is about 1.6 million acres (9/24, p. 59883-932)
- Vernal pool proposal, continued (9/24, p. 59933-82)
- Vernal pool proposal, continued (9/24, p. 59983-60032)
- Vernal pool proposal, continued (9/24, p. 60033-9)
- FWS reopens until October 9 proposal to list flat-tailed horned lizard as threatened (9/24, p. 59809-11)
- NMFS issues a proposed rule that would implement those parts
of the Fishery Management Plan for Coral Reef Ecosystems of the Western
Pacific Region (CREFMP) that have been approved by NMFS (9/24, p. 59813-22)
- NMFS grants Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Navy to take small numbers of pinnipeds by harassment incidental to the demolition and removal of buildings located at the entrance of Mugu Lagoon in Point Mugu, CA (9/24, p. 59824-7)
- NOAA releases final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for Natural Resource Injuries and Service Losses Associated With the Fort Lauderdale Mystery Oil Spill in Florida (9/24, p. 59827-8)
Monday, Sept. 23 (Sept. 23 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Sept. 20 (Sept. 20 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS emergency rule establishes seven manatee protection areas in Florida (9/20, p. 59407-26)
- FWS final rule prescribes special late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands and ceded lands (9/20, p. 59385-94)
- This rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and
daily bag and possession limits for general waterfowl seasons and those
early seasons for which States previously deferred selection (9/20, p. 59357-84)
- FWS reopens comment period on proposed designation of
Critical Habitat for Five Carbonate Plants From the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California; releases economic analysis (9/20, p. 59239-41)
- FWS issues positive 90-day finding on petition to list the California golden trout (9/20, p. 59241-3)
- FWS releases EA, receives application for an Incidental Take Permit for the Antelope Road L.P. Property, Murrieta, CA (gnatcatcher) (9/20, p. 59304-5)
- NMFS issues proposed rule to prohibit fishing with drift gillnets in the California/Oregon (CA/OR) thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet fishery in U.S. waters off southern California, south of Point Conception (34[deg]27'N.)and west to the 120[deg]W. long., from Aug. 15 through Aug. 31, and Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, when the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries publishes a notice that El Nino conditions are present (9/20, p. 59243-5)
- NOAA: Notice of Dates and Locations for Public Scoping Meetings on the Review of the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan (9/20, p. 59268-9)
Thursday, Sept. 19 (Sept. 19 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS prescribes final
late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates,
limits, and other options for the 2002-03 migratory bird hunting
seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the
earliest of which commences on September 21, 2002 (9/19, p. 59109-32)
- FWS submits to ICR to OMB in support of Grant Programs
Authorized by the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000
(NMBCA) (9/19, p. 59070-1)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB In Support of Grant Programs
Authorized by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989
(NAWCA). (9/19, p. 59071-2)
- FWS releases Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
Grand-White Lakes Land Bridge Protection Project, Cameron Parish, LA
(9/19, p. 59072-3)
- FWS releases draft Joint Restoration Plan and EA for the Lower Fox River and Green Bay Area (9/19, p. 59073-4)
- NMFS reopens comment period on Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for a Take Reduction Plan for the Western North Atlantic Coastal Stock of Bottlenose Dolphins (9/19, p. )
Wednesday, Sept. 18 (Sept. 18 Table of Contents from GPO)
- CWA enforcement: DOJ announces proposed consent decree for CWA Section 301(a) violations. Requires reconstruction of wetlands (U.S. and State of Ohio v. City of Toledo, 91-7646) (9/18, p. 58824)
- FWS, FS: Federal Subsistence Board announces emergency closure to protect Muskox populations in Unit 26(C). This regulatory closure provides an exception to the Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2002. (9/18, p. 58695-7)
- FWS adds seven more refuges to the list of areas open for hunting and/or sport fishing activities, increases the activities available at eight other
refuges, along with pertinent refuge-specific regulations for such activities, and amends certain regulations on other refuges that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for 2002-2003. (9/18, p. 58935-53)
- FWS receives permit application for incidental take of
the Houston Toad (9/18, p. 58820)
- FWS receives endangered species scientific research permit applications (9/18, p. 58819-20)
- NMFS closes fishery for Pacific sardine in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast north of Pt. Piedras Blancas, CA (9/18, p. 58733)
Tuesday, Sept. 17 (Sept. 17 Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS says it cannot finalize CH designation for the unarmored threespine stickleback, fish in California. "[T]he 1980 proposal clearly does not satisfy the [ESA's] requirement that the designation or revision of critical habitat shall be made on the basis of the best scientific data available and after taking into
consideration the economic impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat." (9/17, p. 58580-2)
- FWS receives ES permit applications (9/17, p. 58628-9)
- FWS receives ES, marine mammal permit applications (9/17, p. 58629)
- FWS denies permit application by Aquamarine Fukushima, Iwaki, Japan, to take from the wild and export to Japan one male and two female northern sea otters for public display purposes. (9/17, p. 58629-30)
- FWS grants permit application to import a polar bear taken from the Viscount Melville Sound population, Canada, for personal use (9/17, p. 58630)
- FWS issues polar bear permits (9/17, p. 58630)
- FWS issues polar bear permit (9/17, p. 58630-1)
Monday, Sept. 16 (Sept. 16 Table of Contents from GPO)
Friday, Sept. 13 (Sept. 13 Table of Contents from GPO)
Thursday, Sept. 12(Sept. 12 Table of Contents from GPO)
Wednesday, Sept. 11 (Table of Contents from GPO)
Tuesday, Sept. 10 (Table of Contents from GPO)
- FWS receives endangered species, marine mammal permit applications (9/10, p. 57445-6)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (9/10, p. 57446)
- FWS grants marine mammal permit applications (to import polar bears from Canada) (9/10, p. 57446-7)
- NMFS announces collection-of-information requirement for participants in the Hawaii-based longline limited access fishery, whereby in the event an endangered short-tailed albatross is accidentally hooked or entangled during fishing operations, NMFS, the U.S. Coast Guard or FWS must be notified immediately. Recovery information on short-tailed albatross, which is retrieved from the ocean by a Hawaii-based longline vessel, must be recorded on a data form provided by NMFS. If the retrieved short-tailed albatross is dead or dies on board the vessel, information tags must be attached to the carcass and specimen bag. (9/10, p. 57346)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for all salmon
except coho in the area from Humbug Mountain, OR to the Oregon-California Border was closed at midnight on July 26, 2002 (9/10, p. 57345)
- NMFS issues permit to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium,
5400 North Pearl St., Tacoma, Wash., to import one harbor seal for purposes of public display. (9/10, p. 57404-5)
Monday, Sept. 9 (Sept. 9 TOC)
- NMFS issues negative 12-month finding on a petition to add the Atlantic white marlin to the list of T&E wildlife (9/9, p. 57204-7)
- NMFS prohibits retention of all rockfish defined in the category ``other rockfish'' in Table 3 of 2002 harvest specifications and associated management measures for the groundfish fisheries off Alaska (Jan. 8, 2002) in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (9/9, p. 57184-5)
- NMFS is reallocating projected unused amounts of Bering Sea subarea (BS) pollock from the incidental catch account to the directed fisheries (9/9, p. 57183-4)
- NOAA: Millennium Pipeline Company has filed an administrative appeal asking Commerce Secretary Donald Evans to override the State of New York's objection to Millennium's proposed natural gas pipeline (9/9, p. 57220-1)
- NMFS receives permit modification request from Thomas R. Payne & Associates in Arcata, Calif. The new permit would affect one endangered and three threatened salmonid ESUs: endangered Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook salmon, threatened Central Valley Spring-run Chinook salmon, threatened Central California Coast steelhead and threatened Central Valley steelhead. (9/9, p. 57221-2)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (9/9, p. 57185-6)
Friday, Sept. 6 (Sept. 6 TOC)
- Wetlands enforcement: Proposed consent decree would require $15,000 fine for filling wetland (U.S. v. Lamplight Equestrian Center, 00-6486, N.D. Ill.).
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (9/6, p. 56934-5)
- NMFS determines that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily catch limit should be adjusted to two large medium or giant BFT per vessel in order to allow for maximum utilization of the General category September time-period subquota. (9/6, p. 56934)
- NOAA Fisheries is closing the waters of Pamlico Sound, NC, to
fishing with gillnets with a mesh size larger than 4 1/4 inch (10.8 cm) stretched mesh (``large-mesh gillnet''), on a seasonal basis, from September 1 through December 15 each year, to protect migrating sea turtles (9/6, p. 56931-4)
- NOAA issues CZMA findings. "The states of Washington, South Carolina, California, and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands were found to be implementing and enforcing their federally approved coastal management programs, addressing the national coastal management objectives identified in CZMA Section 303(2)(A)-(K), and adhering to the programmatic terms of their financial assistance awards." (9/6, p. 56985)
Thursday, Sept. 5 (Sept. 5 TOC)
Wednesday, Sept. 4 (Sept. 4 TOC)
- FWS releases CCP and summary for Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, Contra Costa County, CA (9/4, p. 56578-9)
- NMFS issues final rule establishing federal permit and reporting requirements for any U.S. fishing vessel that uses troll or handline fishing gear to harvest pelagic management unit species in waters of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (U.S. EEZ) around Howland Island, Baker Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island and Midway Atoll (9/4, p. 56500-2)
- NMFS closes the nearshore rockfish south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. at 0001 local time (l.t.) September 1, 2002, for both the open access and limited entry fixed gear groundfish fisheries (9/4, p. 56497-500)
- NMFS issues proposed rule to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to avoid the likelihood that the groundfish fisheries off Alaska will jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions or adversely modify its critical habitat. (9/4, p. 56691-738)
- NMFS: Michael Moore of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has applied for a permit to collect, import and export parts from all cetaceans and pinniped species (excluding walrus) for purposes of scientific research. (9/4, p. 56535-6)
Tuesday, Sept. 3 (Sept. 3 TOC)
- FWS proposes to delist or remove Truckee barberry from the list of threatened and endangered plants (9/3, p. 56254-7)
- FWS begins status review for the westslope cutthroat trout. Service has been ordered by federal judge to take another look at species' status in light of data regarding hybridization (9/3, p. 56257-9)
- FWS receives endangered species recovery permit applications (9/3, p. 56296-7)
- NMFS notifies registered vessels of their platoon assignments for the B season Atka mackerel fishery in harvest limit areas (HLA) 542 and/or 543 of the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (9/3, p. 56231)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock (9/3, p. 56230-1)
- NMFS restores 10,000 lb of unused research set-aside to the 2002 black sea bass TAL, and makes corresponding adjustments to the 2002 black sea bass recreational harvest limit and the 2002 Quarter 4 commercial quota (9/3, p. 56229-30)
- NMFS issues Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Navy (Point Mugu) to take small numbers of pinnipeds by harassment incidental to missile launch operations from the western end of San Nicolas Island (9/3, p. 56271-6)
Friday, Aug. 30 (Aug. 30 TOC)
- FWS finds that listing the Wasatch Front Columbia Spotted Frog as threatened is not warranted (8/30, p. 55758-67)
- FWS to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Associated EA for the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Aransas, Refugio, and Calhoun counties, Texas (8/30, p. 55862-3)
- FWS plans to consult under Section 8 of the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act on an Object of Cultural Patrimony in FWS's possession. The object is a headdress that is "allegedly associated with the Apache Chief Geronimo and the Commanche Tribe of Oklahoma. The headdress was forfeited to the United States Government in November 2001 as part of a guilty plea agreement resulting from an attempt to sell it in violation of Sections 703 and 707(a) of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act." (8/30, p. 55864)
- Fort AP Hill "requests authorization to collect entire
individuals of three federally listed endangered plants; one individual of Sarracenia oreophila (green pitcher plant); two individuals of Sarracenia rubra spp. alabamensis (Alabama canebrake pitcher plant) and Sarracenia rubra spp. jonesii (Mountain sweet pitcher plant), from Caroline County, Virginia (8/30, p. 55863)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (8/30, p. 55730-1)
- NMFS declines to designate critical habitat for Western Arctic stock of bowhead whales "for the following reasons: (1) the decline and reason for listing the species was overexploitation by commercial whaling, and habitat issues were not a factor in the decline; (2) there is no indication that habitat degradation is having any negative impact on the increasing population in the present; (3) the population is abundant and increasing; and (4) existing laws and practices adequately protect the pecies and its habitat." (8/30, p. 55767-71)
- NMFS issues 1-year Letter of Authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the U.S. Navy's operation of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar operations (8/30, p. 55818)
Thursday, Aug. 29 (Aug. 29 TOC)
- FWS prescribes hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits of mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves; band-tailed pigeons; rails; moorhens and gallinules; woodcock; common snipe; sandhill cranes; sea ducks; early (September) waterfowl seasons; migratory game birds in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; and some extended falconry seasons. (8/29, p. 55623-58)
- FWS seeks approval from OMB for ICR: Mourning Dove Call-Count Survey. "If this survey were not used, there would be no way to determine the population status of mourning doves prior to setting regulations." (8/29, p. 55417-8)
- FWS prescribes special early season migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands (8/29, p. 55659-68)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval: North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey (8/29, p. 55418-9)
Wednesday, Aug. 28 (Aug. 28 TOC)
- FWS releases recovery goals for endangered fishes of the Colorado River Basin (humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker. (8/28, p. 55270-1)
- NMFS corrects part of the definition of ``eligible
applicant'' in a final rule published Dec. 14, 2000, to implement the License Limitation Program for the Scallop Fishery (8/28, p. 55170)
- NMFS corrects trip limit adjustments published on July 5 for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery, as well as limited entry trawl trip limit table for Pacific Ocean perch, widow rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, and whiting. (8/28, p. 55166-70)
- NMFS denies petition asking for emergency measures to limit entry into the Atlantic hagfish fishery. (8/28, p. 55191-2)
Tuesday, Aug. 27 (Aug. 27 TOC)
Monday, Aug. 26 (Aug. 26 TOC)
- FWS extends comment period until Oct. 21 on proposal to list the Sonoma County DPS of the California Tiger Salamander as endangered. Public hearing scheduled in Santa Rosa Oct. 1. (8/26, p. 54761-3)
- FWS extends comment period until Dec. 30 on proposal to designate critical habitat for Blackburn's sphinx moth. Public hearing scheduled on Maui Sept. 12. (8/26, p. 54763-4)
- FWS extends comment period until Sept. 30 on proposed critical habitat designations for 61 plants from the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe. Public hearing scheduled on Maui Sept. 12. (8/26, p. 54764-5)
- FWS extends comment period until Sept. 30 on comment periods for the proposed designations and non-designations of CH for plants on Kauai, Niihau, Molokai, Maui, Kahoolawe, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii, and Oahu (8/26, p. 54766-7)
- FWS to prepare a CCP for Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard and Volusia counties, Florida (8/26, p. 54816-7)
- FWS to prepare CCP and associated NEPA document for the Stone Lakes NWR, Sacramento County, California. (8/26, p. 54817-8)
- AT&T applies for 10-year permit to take the endangered Point Arena mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa nigra) in connection with construction to connect an existing fiber optic conduit to the AT&T Point Arena
Cable Station located near Manchester, Mendocino County, California. (8/26, p. 54818-9)
- Sacramento and the Natomas Basin Conservancy apply to FWS for 50-year incidental take permits for 22 species. Draft EIS/EIR released. (8/26, p. 54819-21)
- NMFS says summer flounder commercial quota available to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been harvested. (8/26, p. 54747)
Friday, Aug. 23 (Aug. 23 TOC)
- FWS, FS: This provides notice of the Federal Subsistence Board's in-season management actions to protect sockeye salmon escapement in three
Southeastern Alaska lake systems and to remove unnecessary restrictions on salmon harvest by non-federally qualified users at Redoubt Lake (8/23, p. 54572-4)
- FWS final rule "prescribes final early-season frameworks from which the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2002-03 migratory bird hunting seasons (8/23, p. 54701-14)
- FWS sets public hearing for Sept. 9 on the proposed critical habitat designations for 46 plants from the island of Molokai, Hawaii (8/23, p. 54607-9)
- FWS to prepare a CCP and EIS for the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Golden, CO (8/23, p. 54667-8)
- NMFS proposes additional changes related to an earlier
proposed rule to implement Amendment 69 to the Fishery Management Plan
for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area
(FMP) (8/23, p. 54610-4)
- The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils will discuss and take scoping comments on options to amend the monkfish limited access program in Amendment 2 at public meetings in September (8/23, p. 54609-10)
- NMFS sets final organized decision process for determining whether tuna from the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean purse seine fishery caught in sets in which no dolphins were killed or seriously injured may be labeled "dolphin-safe." (8/23, p. 54633-43)
- NOAA Fisheries has received an
application for a permit modification for permit number 1044 from the
Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) in Santa Cruz, CA (salmonids) (8/23, p. 54632-3)
- Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D., Marine Mammal Research Program, Texas A&M University, has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 1007-1629-00 (spinner dolphins). (8/23, p. 54644)
- NMFS announces receipt, withdrawal, return of scientific research permit applications (8/23, p. 54643-4)
Thursday, Aug. 22 (Aug. 22 TOC)
Wednesday, Aug. 21 (Aug. 21 TOC)
- FWS proposes designation of 186 stream segments, representing 3,766 kilometers (2,340 miles) of stream in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, as critical habitat for the Topeka Shiner (8/21, p. 54261-306)
- FWS to prepare CCP and associated EIS for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Nevada (8/21, p. 54229-30)
- The Klamath Fishery Management Council makes recommendations to agencies that regulate harvest of anadromous fish in the Klamath River Basin. (8/21, p. 54230-1)
- NMFS proposes EFPs that would allow up to 12 vessels to fish for yellowtail flounder in NE multispecies year-round Closed Area II (CA II) during the months of August through December 2002 and July 2003, with the potential of the August trips occurring in 2003 depending on when the EFPs are issued. (8/21, p. 54161-3)
Tuesday, Aug. 20 (Aug. 20 TOC)
- FWS designates critical habitat for Newcomb's snail in Kauai. The designated area "consists of eight stream segments and associated tributaries, springs and seeps, and adjacent riparian areas on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, totaling 19.76 kilometers (12.28 miles) of stream channel and 1,812 hectares (4,479 acres)." (8/20, p. 54025-56)
- FWS issues permit for incidental take of Preble's meadow jumping mouse in Colorado (8/20, p. 53961)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (bontebok, jaguar, culling of animals on Texas ranch) (8/20, p. 53959)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (panther, bontebok, Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, leopards, cheetah, giant panda, polar bear, (8/20, p. 53960-1)
- FWS receives scientific research permit applications (Wyoming toad, Southwestern willow flycatcher, black-footed ferret, June sucker) (8/20, p. 53959-60)
Monday, Aug. 19 (Aug. 19 TOC)
Friday, Aug. 16 (Aug. 16 TOC)
Thursday, Aug. 15 (Aug. 15 TOC )
- NMFS corrects regulatory text of final rule published April 15, 2002, which implemented Amendment 67 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP) (8/15, p. 53321)
- Dr. Patricia E. Mascarelli, Carribean Center for Marine Studies, P.O. Box 3197, Lajas, PR 00667, has been issued a permit to take humpback whales, spinner dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins for purposes of scientific research (8/15, p.53342)
Today's links: Wednesday, Aug. 14 (Aug. 14 Table of Contents)
- FWS lists Tumbling Creek Cavesnail as endangered (8/14, p. 52879-89)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for all salmon
except coho in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR, was modified to reopen on July 26 and close at midnight, August 5, 2002, with a vessel limit of 500 chinook salmon for the 11-day open period (8/14, p. 52889-90)
- NMFS says recreational fishery for all salmon in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR, was modified to establish a chinook salmon minimum size limit of 28 inches (71.1 cm) total length for the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Leadbetter Point, WA, and 26 inches (66.0 cm) total length for the area from Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon, starting on Sunday, July 21 (8/14, p. 52891-2)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for all salmon
except coho in the Fort Bragg area was closed at midnight on July 23,
2002; quota of 10,000 chinook salmon had been reached (8/14, p. 52892)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator proposes to issue an Experimental Fishing Permit that would allow one vessel to conduct fishing operations exempt from the Gulf of Maine cod landing exemption certificate requirement for vessels fishing in the Georges Bank Regulated Mesh Area. (8/14, p. 52927-8)
- The Pacific Fishery Management Council will prepare an EIS to assess impacts of the 2003 Pacific Coast groundfish fishery specifications and management measures on the human environment. (8/14, p. 52928-9)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFP that would allow for a 20-day exemption from the Gulf of Maine Rolling Closures specified at 50 CFR 648.81 and for a 20-day exemption from the northeast multispecies days-at-sea notification requirements at 50 CFR 648.10(c) and 648.82(a). The exempted fishing activity would support research to design, develop and test a soft species separation system for commercial flatfish trawls in the GOM. The system is intended to separate roundfish (particularly cod) from flatfish in trawl nets by exploiting behavioral differences between the species. (8/14, p. 52927-8)
Tuesday, Aug. 13 (Aug. 13 TOC)
Monday, Aug. 12 (Aug. 12 TOC)
Friday, Aug. 9 (Aug. 9 TOC)
- FWS proposes to list Gila chub as endangered, with critical habitat (8/9, p. 51947-85)
- FWS releases draft CCPs and EAs for the Minnesota Wetland Management Districts in Western Minnesota, including: Big Stone WMD (Odessa, MN); Detroit Lakes WMD (Detroit Lakes, MN), Fergus Falls WMD (Fergus Falls, MN); Litchfield WMD (Litchfield, MN); Morris WMD (Morris, MN); and Windom WMD (Windom, MN) (8/9, p. 51866-7)
- NOAA extends comment period till Oct. 3 on ANPR of July 2, re: proposed changes to CZMA federal consistency regulations. See below for notice (8/9, p. 51800)
Thursday, Aug. 8 (Aug. 8 TOC )
- FWS, NMFS announce public hearings on gulf sturgeon critical habitat proposal, release draft economic analysis (8/8, p. 51530-2)
- Draft economic analysis is here (Editor's note: Thanks, FWS and NMFS, for providing this analysis to the public on the actual day of FR publication. The analysis is also in HTML, not PDF.)
- NMFS prohibits retention of Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (8/8, p. 51499)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock (8/8, p. 51499-500)
- NMFS to prepare EIS on RMP for harvest of Puget Sound chinook populations. (8/8, p. 51547-8)
Wednesday, Aug. 7 (Aug. 7 TOC)
Tuesday, Aug. 6 (Aug. 6 TOC)
Monday, Aug. 5 (Aug. 5 TOC)
- FWS, FS: Federal Subsistence Board takes "in-season management actions to protect sockeye salmon escapement in Afognak Lake and in the Copper River, while still providing for a subsistence harvest opportunity." (8/5, p. 50597-600)
- FWS, FS propose regulations for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses during the 2003-2004 regulatory year. (8/5, p. 50619-22)
- FWS releases Recovery Plan for the Howell's spectacular
thelypody (Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis; thelypody) (8/5, p. 50626-7)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for the Illinois Cave Amphipod (Gammarus acherondytes) (8/5, p. 50688-9)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for Great Lakes population of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) (8/5, p. 50687-8)
- FWS receives ITP application (Houston toad) (8/5, p. 50689)
- NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific ocean perch in the
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (8/5, p. 50604-5)
- NMFS announces that the black sea bass commercial quota
available in the Quarter 3 period to the coastal states from Maine
through North Carolina has been harvested (8/5, p. 50604)
- NOAA approves the extension of Ocean Minerals Company's Deep Seabed Mining-Exploration License USA-1 and revision to its exploration plan through 2004. (8/5, p. 50631-2)
- NMFS receives marine mammal permit applications (8/5, p. 50632-3)
Friday, Aug. 2 (Aug. 2 TOC)
Today's links: Thursday, Aug. 1 (Aug. 1 Table of Contents)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for species in the rock
sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using
trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (8/1, p. 49877)
- NOAA Fisheries is implementing additional interim measures
intended to reduce overfishing on species managed under the Northeast
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (8/1, p. 50291-323)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for all salmon
except coho in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR, was modified to reopen on July 12 and close at midnight, July 22, with a vessel limit of 400 chinook salmon for the 11-day open period. (8/1, p. 49875-6)
- NMFS issues final rule authorizing and governing the
taking of bottlenose and spotted dolphins incidental to the removal of oil and gas drilling and production structures in state waters and on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico for a period not to exceed 18 months (8/1, p. 49869-75)
- NMFS receives applications for direct take permits from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and FWS. Chelan County Public Utilities District and Douglas County PUD are co-applicants with WDFW for permit 1395 as agreed to in the Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) developed for the operation of Rock Island, Rocky Reach and Wells hydro electric projects. The applications are for the direct and incidental take of ESA-listed adult and juvenile salmonids associated with carrying out hatchery programs for endangered Upper Columbia River steelhead in the upper Columbia River and its tributaries in the state of Washington. (8/1, p. 49906-8)
- NMFS issues amendment to scientific research Permit No. 881-1443 held by Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, AK. (8/1, p. 49908)
- NMFS receives joint Resource Management Plan from Makah Indian Tribe and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Ozette Lake Sockeye Salmon ESU (8/1, p. 49905-6)
Wednesday, July 31 (July 31 TOC)
Tuesday, July 30 (July 30 TOC)
- FWS establishes requirements for participation in the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program authorized by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act and provides guidance for the program's administration. (7/30, p. 49264-75)
- FWS proposes to add black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. (7/30, p. 49280-4)
- FWS sets four meetings of the Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Planning Advisory Committee. All meetings will take place at the Consolidated
Information Center, Washington State University Tri-Cities Campus in Richland, Wash. (7/30, p. 49369)
- FWS receives applications to import sport-hunted tropies of the male bontebok (7/30, p. 49367)
- FWS receives permit application to capture, handle and release the Topeka shiner (7/30, p. 49367)
- FWS receives scientific research permit applications for black-footed ferrets, southwestern willow flycatchers, interior least terns nd piping plovers, Topeka shiner, humpback chub. (7/30, p. 49368)
- FWS grants permit to Francis J. Kelsch for a permit (PRT-055028) to import one polar bear taken from the Northern Beaufort Sea population, Canada, for personal use. (7/30, p. 49368-9)
- Fishery Management Council will hold scoping meetings on draft supplemental EIS re: draft Comprehensive Amendment addressing SFA definitions and other
required provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in the Fishery Management Plans of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (7/30, p. 49284-5)
- NMFS receives request from the Department of the Navy, Naval Base Ventura County, for an authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to the demolition and removal of buildings located at the entrance of Mugu Lagoon in Point Mugu, Calif. (7/30, p. 49289-92)
- NMFS issues 1-year Letter of Authorization to the North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation to take harbor, gray, harp and hooded seals incidental to intake cooling water operations at Seabrook Station nuclear power plant, Seabrook, NH (7/30, p. 49292-3)
Friday, July 29 (July 29 TOC)
Friday, July 26 (July 26 TOC)
- FWS proposes to amend 50 CFR 16.13 to add snakeheads (family Channidae) to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. (7/26, p. 48855-64)
- Janice Straley, Assistant Professor of Marine Biology, University of Southeast Alaska, Dena Matkin, Gustavus, Alaska, and The North Gulf Oceanic Society, Homer, AK have requested to take the following species of marine mammals for scientific research purposes: Steller sea lions, humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoise, Dall's porpoise, harbor seals, gray whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins and Northern fur seals. (7/26, p. 48881-2)
Thursday, July 25 (July 25 TOC)
- NMFS issued positive findings on one delisting petition from the Central Coast Forest Association (re: threatened Central California Coast coho salmon); and two petitions from Trout Unlimited to redefine and list 15 other ESUs (7/25, p. 48601-3)
- Latest news: NMFS also has released a draft policy on the role of hatchery production in ESA status reviews and listing decisions for salmon and steelhead. Essentially, if the fish are threatened or endangered in the wild, they would continue to be listed as threatened or endangered. The draft policy said, "NMFS understands the goal of the ESA to be the preservation of self-sustaining naturally reproducing populations in their natural habitats."
- NMFS corrects June 12 (see below) final rule implementing pelagic longline gear restrictions for the Western Pacific pelagic fisheries. "This action would clarify
amendatory instruction 4 that removes unneeded text. (7/25, p. 48576)
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle receives minor amendment to scientific research Permit No. 782–1438 (cetaceans). (7/25, p. 48615)
- Dr. Gregory D. Bossart, Harbor
Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., Fort Pierce, Fla., has applied for scientific research permit for bottlenose dolphins (7/25, p. 48614-5)
- NMFS corrects trip limit tables in the trip limit adjustments in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery published on July 5, 2002. (7/25, p. 48571-48576)
- NMFS proposes to amend regulations governing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (7/25, p. 48604-9)
- NMFS: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States. "This amendment would establish a limited access program for the rock shrimp fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Georgia and off the east coast of Florida (limited access area)." (7/25, p. 48603-4)
Wednesday, July 24 (July 24 TOC)
- FWS receives black-capped vireo, bontebok applications (7/24, p. 48481)
- Disney's Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL, applies for a permit to import two male captive-born cheetah (7/24, p. 48481)
- FWS grants John F. Wilhelm a permit to import one polar bear taken from the Southern Beaufort Sea population, Canada (7/24, p. 48482)
- FWS receives application for approval under Wild Bird Conservation Act to set up a cooperative breeding program for silver-eared mesia (7/24, p. 48482-3)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, so as not to exceed TAC (7/24, p. 48416)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), so as not to exceed TAC (7/24, p. 48417)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pelagic shelf
rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, so as not to exceed TAC (7/24, p. 48417-8)
- NMFS receives request from Caltrans for renewal of its Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of harbor seals, incidental to seismic retrofit construction of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, San Francisco Bay (7/24, p. 48443-6)
- NMFS receives request to modify scientific research permit (sea turtles) (7/24, p. 48442-3)
Tuesday, July 23 (July 23 TOC)
- U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station applies for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles for purposes of scientific research. (7/23, p. 48135-6)
- "The Department of the Navy, after carefully weighing the operational, scientific, technical, and environmental implications of the alternatives considered, announces its decision to employ two SURTASS LFA sonar systems with certain geographical restrictions and monitoring mitigation designed to reduce potential adverse effects on the marine environment." (7/23, p. 48145-54)
Monday, July 22 (July 22 TOC)
- FWS issues emergency rule listing the Sonoma County DPS of the California Tiger Salamander as endangered (7/22, p. 47726-40)
- FWS proposes to list the Sonoma County DPS of the California Tiger Salamander (7/22, p. 47758-60)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for northern rockfish in
the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. (7/22, p. 47740)
- NMFS will prepare an EIS for development of plan "to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury of the Atlantic coastal stock of bottlenose dolphins in commercial fisheries to below the potential biological removal (PBR) level for the stock." (7/22, p. 47772-3)
- NOAA requests that users of the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary (FKNMS) avoid, from June 28, 2002 through August 15, 2002, an area of approximately 0.58 acres marked by construction buoys in the vicinity of 25 deg. 0.67' N, 80 deg. 22.37' W, which is at ``Molkasses Reef'' and is located 6 nautical miles (11.1 km) off the southeastern portion of Key Largo, Florida. (7/22, p. 47773-4)
- NOAA re-opens until Aug. 6 the comment period re: proposed designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary. (7/22, p. 47774)
- NMFS receives MMPA permit application and request to amend permit (sea lions, cetaceans) (7/22, p. 47774-5)
- NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center applies for a permit to take bottlenose dolphins (7/22, p. 47775-6)
Friday, July 19 (July 19 TOC)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB: Information Collection In Support of Grant Programs Authorized by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989
(NAWCA). (7/19, p. 47563-4)
- FWS releases draft EIS, Section 10 Permit Application, draft Roosevelt Lake HCP and draft Implementing Agreement for Incidental Take by the Salt
River Project. and Notice of a Public Hearing on August 27, 2002 (7/19, p. 47564-6)
- NMFS corrects July 10 Steller sea lion emergency interim rule to give Atka mackerel fishery participants an additional opportunity to register for the 2002 B season harvest limit area (HLA) fishery in the Aleutian Islands subarea (7/19, p. 47472-3)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 total allowable catch (TAC)
of Pacific ocean perch in this area. (7/19, p. 47472)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pelagic shelf
rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (7/19, p. 47471-2)
- NMFS: Atlantic bluefin tuna General category daily catch limit should be adjusted in order to allow for maximum utilization of the proposed 2002 General category June through August subquota (7/19, p. 47470)
- NMFS issues final rule to implement the Generic Amendment Addressing the Establishment of the Tortugas Marine Reserves in the Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico ( (7/19, p. 47467-70)
- NMFS announces end of the 2002 primary season for the shore-based fishery for Pacific whiting (whiting) at 0800 local time (l.t.) July 17, 2002, because the allocation is projected to be reached. This action is intended to keep the harvest of whiting at the
2002 allocation levels (7/19, p. 47470-1)
Thursday, July 18 (July 18 TOC)
- NMFS prohibits retention of "other rockfish" in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (7/18, p. 47336-7)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (7/18, p. 47335-6)
- NMFS says commercial fishery for all salmon except coho in the area from U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, Ore., was closed on June 7 at 2359 hours local time (7/18, p. 47334)
- NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for all salmon
except coho in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, Ore., was modified to close at midnight, July 8, 2002, with a vessel trip limit of 250 chinook salmon for the 8-day open
period (7/18, p. 47334-5)
- James P. Kirk, Engineer Research and Development Center, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss (7/18, p. 47351)
Wednesday, July 17 (July 17 TOC)
Tuesday, July 16 (Table of Contents)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis for the proposed designations of critical habitat for 32 plant species from the island of Lanai, Hawaii (7/16, p. 46626-7)
- FWS to prepare a CCP/EIS for Lake Umbagog National
Wildlife Refuge, located in Coos County, New Hampshire and Oxford County, Maine (7/16, p. 46682-3)
- FWS to hold public workshops July 23 and 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.; and two on July 25, 2002, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m, to introduce the draft conservation strategy for the Tahoe Yellow Cress (Rorippa subumbellata Roll.), a candidate species for listing. (7/16, p. 46683-4)
- FWS receives ES permit application. "The applicant requests authorization to take (collect and kill) glochidia of two federally listed endangered freshwater mussels, dwarf wedge mussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) from Sullivan County, New Hampshire, and oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) from Scott County, Virginia, and Hancock County, Tennessee (7/16, p. 46683)
- NMFS prohibits retention of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). (7/16, p. 546611)
- NMFS will allow "unintentional takings of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to Navy operation of the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) Low Frequency Active (LFA) Sonar" (7/16, p. 46711-89)
- NOAA's Estuarine Reserves Division releases final EIS/Management Plan for the proposed San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. (7/16, p. 46637)
Monday, July 15 (July 15 TOC (GPO Access))
- FWS extends public comment period, will hold public hearing on proposal to designate CH for 32 plants from the island of Lanai, Hawaii. (7/15, p. 46566)
- FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for the Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel (7/15, p. 46440-1)
- FWS proposes to list Lepidium papilliferum (slickspot peppergrass) as endangered (7/15, p. 46441-50)
- FWS to prepare an EA, hold a public hearing on Tidal Marsh Restoration Planning at Cullinan Ranch, San Pablo Bay NWR, Solano and Napa counties, California. (7/15, p. 46538-9)
- NMFS changes days and the area open to halibut fishing off the south coast of Washington (7/15, p. 46020-2)
Friday, July 12 (Table of Contents)
- Dr. Stephen J. Morreale,
Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853,
has applied in due form for a permit to take loggerhead turtles
(Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii), green
turtles (Chelonia mydas), and Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys
coriacea) for purposes of scientific research. (7/12, p. 46178-9)
- NMFS receives marine mammal permit applications (7/12, p. 46179-80)
- NMFS: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium,
5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, has applied in due form for
a permit to import one harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) for the
purposes of public display. (7/12, p. 46180)
Monday, July 11 (July 11 TOC)
- NMFS corrects January 28, 2002, rule implementing recordkeeping and reporting (R&R) requirements for groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska. (7/11, p. 46024-6; go to table of contents to get PDF of graphic if you want it)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (7/11, p. 45920-1)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (7/11, p. 45921)
- NMFS proposes a regulation to implement the annual harvest
guideline for Pacific mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off
the Pacific coast (7/11, p. 45952-4)
- Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT, has applied for amendment to scientific research permit (Steller sea lions) (7/11, p. 45958-9)
- Inwater Research Group, Inc., Jensen Beach, Fla., has been issued a permit to take green, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley and hawksbill turtles for purposes of scientific research. (7/11, p. 45959)
Wednesday, July 10 (July 10 TOC)
- CWA (probably wetlands) enforcement: DOJ: Proposed consent decree would prohibit Betteroads Asphalt Corporation from discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. Also would require payment of a $100,000 fine and a donation of $75,000 to the Fundacion para la Conservacion de la Paloma Sabanera, Inc. (Foundation for the Conservation of the Sabanera Pigeon). (U.S. v. Betteroads Asphalt Corporation, 02-1548 DRD, D.P.R.) (7/10, p. 45763)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis for proposed critical habitat designation for Deinandra conjugens (Otay tarplant). Comment period reopened until Aug. 9. (7/10, p. 45696-7)
- FWS says it has received proposed programmatic Safe Harbor
Agreement for the Hawaiian Goose on the Island of Molokai, from Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife. (7/10, p. 45755-6)
- FWS releases NRDA assessment plan for the St. Louis River Interlake/Duluth Tar Superfund Site (7/10, p. 45756-7)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the Eastern Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) (7/10, p. 45673-4)
- NMFS corrects an emergency interim rule implementing
Steller sea lion protection measures and 2002 harvest specifications for the Alaska groundfish fishery in order to afford Atka mackerel fishery participants an additional opportunity to register for the 2002 B season harvest limit area fishery in the Aleutian Islands subarea. The emergency interim rule was published Jan. 8, amended and corrected May 1, and extended May 16 (7/10, p. 45671-3)
- NMFS proposes to exempt one commercial vessel from the Northeast (NE) multispecies days-at-sea (DAS) notification requirements at 50 CFR
648.10(c) and 648.82(a); the Gulf of Maine (GOM) Rolling Closures specified at 50 CFR 648.81; and the NE multispecies minimum mesh size requirements specified for the GOM Regulated Mesh Area at 50 CFR 648.80, for 5 days of at-sea gear testing. (7/10, p. 45697-8)
- NMFS issues minor amendment to scientific research p (blue whale samples) (7/10, p. 45705)
Tuesday, July 9 (Table of Contents)
- FWS extends comment period until Sept. 9 for the draft recovery plan for coastal plants of the Northern San Francisco Peninsula (7/9, p. 45532-3)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (7/9, p. 45530-2)
- NMFS implements measures required by the June 14, 2001, Biological Opinion (BiOp) on Atlantic highly migratory species fisheries (7/9, p. 45393-401)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator suspends the haddock daily trip limit for the groundfish fishery (7/9, p. 45401)
- NMFS says the Director of the Office of Sustainable Fisheries is considering issuing an experimental fishing permit to Limuli Laboratories to conduct a second year of an experimental fishing operation otherwise restricted by regulations prohibiting the harvest of horseshoe crabs in the Carl N. Schuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve located 3
nautical miles (nm) seaward of the mouth of Delaware Bay (7/9, p. 45445-7)
- NMFS Northeast RA makes preliminary positive determination re: EFP application for study "to collect information regarding bycatch of--and interactions of purse seine gear with--groundfish species, other species, and marine mammals, and to record contact with the ocean bottom or with any Essential Fish Habitat." (7/9, p. 45444-5)
- The New England Fishery Management Council will meet July 23-25 to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the U.S. exclusive economic
zone (EEZ). (7/9, p. 45447-8)
- NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management will evaluate the performance of the Michigan Coastal Management Program and the Alaska Coastal Management Program (7/9, p. 45482-3)
Monday, July 8 (July 8 TOC)
Friday, Monday, July 5 (July 5 TOC)
- FWS withdraws April 5, 1999, proposed rule to list the southwestern Washington/Columbia River Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of coastal cutthroat trout as threatened (7/5, p. 44933-61)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (7/5, p. 44873)
- FWS grants marine mammal permit (7/5, p. 44874)
- FWS receives endangered species recovery permit applications (7/5, p. 44873-4)
- NMFS announces changes in the trip limits for Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. (7/5, p. 44778-86)
- NMFS: North Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted Amendment 69 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area. This amendment would allow an American Fisheries Act inshore pollock cooperative to contract with a non-member catcher vessel to harvest a portion of the cooperative's annual pollock allocation (7/5, p. 44794)
- NMFS issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Atlantic mackerel fishery. "Publication of this July 5, 2002, control date is intended to discourage speculative entry into the Atlantic mackerel fishery while potential management regimes to control access into the fishery are discussed and possibly developed by the [Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management] Council." (7/5, p. 44792-4)
Nothing for the Fourth
Wednesday, July 3 (July 3 Table of Contents)
- FWS receives applications for ES scientific research permits (southwestern willow flycatcher, Johnston's Frankenia, black-capped vireo, northern aplomado falcon, golden-cheeked warbler, interior least tern, red-cockaded woodpecker, ocelot, jaguarundi, Houston toad, Gila topminnow and desert pupfish (7/3, p. 44615-6)
- NMFS closes commercial fishery for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico EEZ. NMFS has determined that the spring portion of the annual commercial quota for red snapper will be reached on July 7 (7/3, p. 44569)
- NMFS announces that the period 1 spiny dogfish commercial
quota available to the coastal states from Maine through Florida has been harvested. Federally permitted commercial vessels may no longer land spiny dogfish for the duration of period 1 (through Oct. 31, 2002) (7/3, p. 44570)
Tuesday, July 2 (Table of Contents)
- FWS designates "approximately 148.4 kilometers (92.2 miles) of streams, including portions of three creeks in North Carolina and one river and six creeks in South Carolina" as
critical habitat for Carolina heelsplitter (7/2, p. 44501-22)
- FWS lists as endangered the Southern California Distinct Vertebrate Population Segment of the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana muscosa) (7/2, p. 44382-92)
- FWS lists as endangered Ambrosia pumila (San Diego Ambrosia) From
Southern California (7/2, p. 44372-82)
- FWS to prepare CCP/EA for the Detroit River International
Wildlife Refuge, Wayne and Monroe Counties, MI (7/2, p. 44471)
- Battle of Midway National Memorial Advisory Committee to meet by teleconference on Thursday, July 11 (7/2, p. 44471-2)
- NOAA ANPR asks for comments on how to streamline review process for OCS projects (7/2, p. 44407-10)
- NMFS issues amendment to scientific research permit to Dr. Nancy Thompson, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center (sea turtles) (7/2, p. 44426)
- NOAA re-initiates public scoping period on the review of the Gerry
E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan; releases "State of the Sanctuary Report" (7/2, p. 44425-6)
- NMFS issues final rule to implement measures contained in
Framework Adjustment 2 (Framework 2) to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (7/2, p. 44392-5)
Monday, July 1 (TOC)
- NMFS designates DAM (Dynamic Area Management) zone for 15 days. Restrictions "include both mandatory and voluntary measures, consistent with the requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan's (ALWTRP) implementing regulations. These restrictions apply to lobster trap and anchored gillnet fishermen
in an area totaling approximately 3,500 square nautical miles (nm\2\) (6,486 km\2\) in the Great South Channel area, east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. ... The purpose of this action is to provide
immediate protection to an unexpectedly high aggregation of North Atlantic right whales (right whales)." (7/1, p. 44092-3)
- NMFS issues negative 12-month finding on petition to list Southern Resident killer whales (orcas) (7/1, p. 44133-8)
- NMFS issues ANPR on eastern North Pacific Southern Resident stock of killer whales (Orcinus orca) as a depleted stock under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Despite finding (above) that the eastern North Pacific Southern Resident stock does not qualify as a "species" under the ESA, "this stock of whales has declined by 20 percent in the past 5 years, and evidence suggests that designation as a depleted stock may be warranted. (7/1, p. 44132-3)
- NMFS proposes an interim rule under section 305(c) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act to implement additional interim measures intended to reduce overfishing on species managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (7/1, p. 44139-66)
- NMFS receives application from the Navy, Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA for an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to missile launch operations by Naval Air Warfare
Center Weapons Division, Point Mugu from the western end of San Nicolas Island, CA (7/1, p. 44180-5)
- NMFS is correcting the title of the Fishery Management Plan
for the Salmon Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska (FMP). This action is necessary to make the name of the FMP in federal regulations consistent with the actual name of the FMP as approved by the Secretary of Commerce (7/1, p. 44093-4)
Friday, June 28 (TOC)
- FWS releases draft EIS, receives ITP application from Woodlands Group L.L.C. in Livingston Parish, LA. Would cover take of red-cockaded woodpeckers on approximately 99 of the 971 acres owned by Woodlands in Livingston Parish, Louisiana (6/28, p. 43678-80)
- FWS receives ES permit applications to import sport-hunted bonteboks (6/28, p. 43678)
- FWS extends comment period on application by Bowmanville Zoological Park, Ontario, Canada, to "export, re-export, and re-import Asian elephants and progeny of the animals currently held by the applicant." (6/28, p. 43677-8)
- FWS receives permit applications for red siskin, bontebok, polar bears. (6/28, p. )
- FWS, FS issue final 2002-3 subsistence rule (6/28, p. 43709-59)
- Thomas R. Kieckhefer of Royal Oaks, California, has been issued a minor amendment to MMPA scientific research permit (extension until 2005). No species mentioned. (6/28, p. 43587)
- Amendment requested to MMPA permit allowing take of Hawaiian spinner dolphins by "behavioral observation and photo-identification." Amendment would "expand the geographic area of study to include both the Hawaiian northwestern and main islands; (2) increase the take numbers, based on this expanded geographic area, to 5,000 individuals annually through behavioral observation and photo-identification [now 1,400] and 600 individuals annually [now 400] through the collection of genetic samples; and (3) authorize the use of biopsy sampling through pole-spearing in addition to swabbing." (6/28, p. 43586-7)
- NMFS issues modification to ESA permit held by John I. Galvez, Maryland Fisheries Resource Office of FWS in Annapolis. No species mentioned (6/28, p. 43586)
- NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 14 to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (Amendment 14) and Amendment 20
to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf
of Mexico (6/28, p. 43558-65)
Thursday, June 27 (June 27 TOC)
- Wetlands enforcement: DOJ proposes consent decree in U.S. v. Henry J. Magnan (01-CV-333, D. Vt.). CD includes $5,000 in fines and requirement that Magnan "restore the wetland and implement certain mitigation measures restricting livestock
use of the riparian area." (6/27, p. 43341)
- NMFS proposes initial specifications for the Atlantic bluefin
tuna (BFT) fishery to set BFT quota and General category effort controls for the fishing year beginning June 1, 2002 (6/27, p. 43266-9)
- NMFS makes positive preliminary determination on proposed experimental fishing permit "to conduct fishing activities to compare black sea bass retention and discard rates using two different black sea bass pot escape vent configurations (6/27, p. 43265-6)
- NMFS receives, grants Steller sea lion research permits (6/27, p. 43283-5)
- NMFS issues permit amendment (6/27, p. 43283)
- NMFS issues permit amendment to allow capture, tagging and sampling of Dall's porpoise in Washington, Oregon and California waters. (6/27, p. 43285)
Wednesday, June 26 (June 26 TOC)
Tuesday, June 25 (June 25 TOC)
- FWS receives ESA,marine mammal permit applications. (6/25, p. 42791-2)
- FWS receives Wild Bird Conservation Act permit application (6/25, p. 42792-3)
- NMFS proposes to establish a Federal trap limitation program for the commercial stone crab fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Florida's west coast, including the area off Monroe County, Fla. (6/25, p. 42744-50)
- NMFS withdraws May 19, 2000, proposed rule to prohibit the
use of set net (gillnet and trammel nets) fishing gear to take groundfish species in portions of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (also known as the fishery management area) adjacent to state waters at four areas off California. (6/25, p. 42750-1)
- NMFS has received three revised applications for ITPs from the Public Utility District (PUD) No. 1 of Douglas County (Wells application) and PUD No. 1 of Chelan County (Rocky Reach and Rock Island applications). Each application includes a revised
Anadromous Fish Agreement and HCP. (6/25, p. 42755-6)
- NMFS renews affirmative finding for Mexico under the MMPA, allowing "continued importation into the [U.S.] of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products
harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) after March 3, 1999, by purse seine vessels operating under Mexican jurisdiction." Mexico met dolphin conservation conditions, NMFS says. (6/25, p. 42756-7)
- NMFS receives one new permit application and two applications to modify existing scientific research permits related to Pacific salmon and steelhead. (6/25, p. 42757-8)
- NMFS extends marine mammal research permit (6/25, p. 42758-9)
Monday, June 24 (June 24 TOC)
- CWA enforcement: DOJ announces proposed consent decree in U.S. v. Simpson, Civ. No. 01-288-E-BLW, D. Id.). (6/24, p. 42582).
The CD "concerns allegations that Defendant violated the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1311, and a scenic easement, and committed trespass, resulting from the unauthorized discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States in Custer County, Idaho, in areas adjacent to the Salmon River." Simpson is enjoined from discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S., violating the scenic easement, and trespassing. He also has agreed to restore the site and pay a $23,750 fine.
- NMFS releases Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for natural resource injuries and service losses associated with the Fort Lauderdale mystery oil spill in Florida. Ccomments requested. (6/24, p. 42538-9)
- NMFS proposes to revise sablefish tier qualifications for the limited entry, fixed gear, primary sablefish fishery, Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery (6/24, p. 42525-9)
- NMFS issues Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the USGS to take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to collecting marine seismic reflection data while investigating the landslide and earthquake hazards off Southern
California (6/24, p. 42541-7)
- UC-Davis has applied to FWS for a 10-year ITP covering the threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle (6/24, p. 42576-7)
Friday, June 21 (June 21 TOC)
Thursday, June 20 (June 20 TOC)
Wednesday, June 19 (June 19 TOC)
Tuesday, June 18 (June 18 TOC)
Monday, June 17 (June 17 TOC)
Friday, June 14 (June 14 TOC)
- NMFS issues corrections to the trawl trip limits and management measures for flatfish north and south of 40 deg.10' N. lat. published in the March 7, 2002, final rule (6/14, p. 40870-3)
- Harold Brundage III, Environmental Research and Consulting, Inc., Chadds Ford, PA, has been issued a permit to take endangered species for purposes of scientific research (shortnose sturgeon). (6/14, p. 40920)
- Sea World in Orlando, Fla., has been issued a permit to import one beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) for purposes of public display. (6/14, p. 40920-1)
Thursday, June 13 (June 13 TOC)
Wednesday, June 12 (June 12 TOC )
Tuesday, June 11 (June 11 TOC)
- FWS says listing of the Rio Grande cutthroat trout is not warranted (6/11, p. 39936-47)
- MBTA: FWS supplement to proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule; announces the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings; provides Flyway Council recommendations resulting from their April meetings; and provides new information and reopens the comment period on the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2002-03 duck hunting seasons. (6/11, p. 40127-34)
- FWS plans to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and EA for Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, located in Rock Hall, Md. (6/11, p. 40002-3)
- FWS adds the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) to the list of injurious live mammals. This means that FWS is prohibiting importation into or transportation between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States of any live brushtail possum (6/11, p. 39865-8)
- NMFS adjusts the daily retention limit for the recreational
fisheries for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the fishing year that began June 1, 2002, and ends May 31, 2003 (6/11, p. 39869-70)
- NMFS has received three new permit applications and six
applications to modify existing scientific research permits related to Pacific salmon and steelhead. (6/11, p. 39960-2)
Monday, June 10 (June 10 TOC)
Friday, June 7 (June 7 TOC)
Thursday, June 6 (June 6 TOC)
- FWS, NMFS propose to designate critical habitat for the gulf sturgeon (6/6, p. 39105-99)
- FWS proposes to designate CH for the Rio Grande silvery minnow (6/6, p. 39205-35)
- Slender moonwort continues to warrant listing, FWS says, "but this activity is precluded by listing activities of higher priority." (6/6, p. 39035-7)
- FWS, NMFS and California Department of Fish and Game plan to gather information necessary for the preparation of an EIS/EIR to consider an application from the Mendocino Redwood Company for an incidental take permit (6/6, p. 38932-4)
- NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, FWS and the Maritime Administration are entertaining proposals to participate in ballast water treatment research and technology demonstration projects that address the problem of aquatic invasive species entering U.S. waters from ballast water (6/6, p. 38934-9)
- North American Wetlands Conservation Council will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. Location: British Columbia (6/6, p. 39038)
- FWS receives endangered species permit application (Indiana bat) (6/6, p. 39035)
- NMFS issues 2002 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery, including total allowable harvest levels (TAL), state-by-state commercial quotas, and a recreational harvest limit and possession limit for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States (6/6, p. 38909-12)
- NMFS announces that the black sea bass commercial quota
available in the Quarter 2 period to the coastal states from Maine through North Carolina has been harvested (6/6, p. 38909)
- NMFS grants 1-year authorization to 30th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force, to take small numbers of seals and sea lions (6/6, p. 38939-40)
- NMFS has issued permit 1387 to Thomas Gaffney, Special Agent of the NMFS Office of Law Enforcement in Santa Maria, Calif., that authorizes takes of ESA-listed anadromous fish species for enhancement purposes (rescue and salvage), subject to certain conditions set forth in this document. (6/6, p. 38940)
Wednesday, June 5 (June 5 TOC)
Tuesday, June 4 (June 4 TOC)
Monday, June 3 (June 3 TOC)
- NMFS announces that persons who enter the pelagic longline
fishery in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around American Samoa
after March 21, 2002, (``control date'') are not guaranteed future
participation in the fishery if the Western Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) prepares and NMFS approves a program limiting entry
or effort. (6/3, p. 38245)
- Andrew R. Szabo,Whale Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2, Canada, has applied for a permit to take humpback whales for purposes of scientific research. (6/3, p. 38262)
Friday, May 31 (May 31 TOC)
Thursday, May 30 (May 30 TOC)
- FWS reclassifies the vicuna in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru from endangered to threatened (5/30, p. 37695-37723)
- FWS to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and associated EIS for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex (Refuge Complex) (5/30, p. 37852)
- FWS releases EA, receives application for an Incidental Take Permit for a Storm Water Retention Pond, in Volusia County, FL (5/30, p. 37857-8)
- FWS, NMFS: Notice of Public Scoping and Preparation of an EIS for a Middle Fork Nooksack River Habitat Conservation Plan (5/30, p. 37776-7)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (5/30, p. 37852-3)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (5/30, p. 37853-4)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (5/30, p. 37854-5)
- FWS receives applications for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species (5/30, p. 37855-7)
- MFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf
of Alaska (5/30, p. 37726)
- NMFS announces that the directed fishery for Loligo squid in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will be closed effective May 28, 2002 (5/30, p. 37725-6)
- NMFS is imposing, for a 30-day period, additional restrictions
on shrimp trawlers in offshore Atlantic waters west of 77 57.5' W. longitude (approximately Cape Fear, NC) and north of 30 N. latitude (just north of St. Augustine, FL). Shrimp fishermen operating in this area are required to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) with escape openings modified to exclude leatherback turtles and are prohibited from fishing at night between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise (5/30, p. 37723-5)
Wednesday, May 29 (May 29 TOC)
- FWS designates CH for Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens (Monterey Spineflower) (5/29, p. 37497-56)
- FWS designates CH for Scotts Valley spineflower (5/29, p. 37336-53)
- FWS releases draft CCP/EA for Waubay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Waubay, SD (5/29, p. 37436-7)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (5/29, p. 37437-8)
- NMFS extends expiration date of the emergency rule that
established the commercial quotas for large and small coastal sharks at 1,285 metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) and 1,760 mt dw, respectively (5/29, p. 37354-5)
- NMFS releases draft EA for NMFS' implementation of part of the
ESA that it adopted for the 14 threatened salmon and steelhead Evolutionarily Significant Units. The draft EA is a programmatic EA that analyzes the impacts of implementing the Limit for routine road maintenance activities (RRM) of any state, city, county or port. (5/29, p. 37392-3)
- NMFS will prepare an SEIS for the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (5/29, p. 37393-5)
Today's links: Tuesday, May 28 (May 28 Table of Contents)
- FWS, FS correct subsistence management regulations for public lands in Alaska, Subpart C and Subpart D--2002 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Shellfish (5/28, p. 36809-10)
- FWS designates critical habitat for robust spineflower (5/28, p. 36822-45)
- FWS proposes CH for 99 of the 101 plant species known historically from the island of Oahu that are listed under the ESA (5/28, p. 37107-56)
- Oahu CH, continued (5/28, p. 37156-206)
- Oahu CH, continued (5/28, p. 37207-56)
- Oahu CH, continued (Go to TOC page for links to PDF files) (5/28, p. 37257-72)
- FWS proposes CH for 47 of the 58 plant species known historically from the island of Hawaii (5/28, p. 36967-7016)
- Hawaii CH, cont'd (5/28, p. 37017-66)
- Hawaii CH, cont'd (5/28, p. 37067-37106)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis for the proposed designations of critical habitat for plant species from the islands of Kauai and Niihau, Hawaii (5/28, p. 36851)
- FWS releases draft recovery plan for the threatened Alaska-breeding population of the Steller's eider (5/28, p. 36915)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (5/28, p. 36914-5)
- NMFS announces Pacific halibut and red king crab bycatch rate
standards for the second half of 2002 (5/28, p. 36845-7)
Friday, May 24 (May 24 Table of Contents)
- FWS receives scientific research permit applications (5/24, p. 36643)
- FWS releases draft EA for the Delta Management at Fort St. Philip Project, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana (5/24, p. 36643-4)
- FWS releases Notice of Availability of a Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for
Construction of a Single-Family Residential Home Site on the Dahle
Property, Colorado Springs, Colorado (5/24, p. 36644-5)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels
using trawl gear in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 (Zone 1) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (5/24, p. 36541)
- NMFS proposes measures contained in Framework Adjustment 2
(Framework 2) to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (5/24, p. 36556-9)
Thursday, May 23 (May 23 TOC)
- FWS: National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Commission to meet June 18-19 in Washington, D.C. (5/23, p. 36212-3)
- NMFS proposes recreational measures for the 2002 summer
flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries (5/23, p. 36139-46)
- NMFS issues an Incidental Harassment Authorization to The Boeing Company for small numbers of marine mammals, incidental to harbor activities related to the Delta IV/Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) at south Vandenberg Air Force
Base, CA (VAFB) (5/23, p. 36151-8)
- Thomas McCormick (Principal Investigator), Channel Islands Marine Resource Institute (CIMRI), Port Hueneme, California 93044, has been issued a permit to take white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni) for purposes of scientific research and enhancement. (5/23, p. 36158)
Wednesday, May 22 (May 22 TOC)
- FWS retains threatened status for Argali in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan (5/22, p. 35942-57)
- NMFS notifies the public that it has disapproved proposed
Framework 1 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (5/22, p. 35928-31)
- NMFS Assistant Administrator for Fisheries prohibits the importation into the United States from Peru of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested by purse seine in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. (5/22, p. 35963-4)
- Peter L. Tyack, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 981-1578-01 (cetaceans) (5/22, p. 35965)
- Funtime, Inc. d/b/a Six Flags
Worlds of Adventure, 1060 North Aurora Road, Aurora, OH 44202, has been
issued a permit to import two killer whales (Orcinus orca) for the
purposes of public display. (5/22, p. 35965-6)
Tuesday, May 21 (May 21 TOC)
Monday, May 20 (May 20 TOC)
Friday, May 17 (May 17 TOC)
Thursday, May 16 (May 16 TOC)
- FWS to hold two public hearings on the proposed determination of critical habitat for the Appalachian elktoe (5/16, p. 34893-4)
- FWS sets Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Great Lakes Panel Meeting for May 29 (5/16, p. 34950)
- NMFS extends until the end of the year Steller sea lion protection measures to avoid the likelihood that the groundfish fisheries off Alaska will jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions, or adversely
modify its critical habitat. (5/16, p. 34860-1)
- NMFS: Nez Perce Indian Tribe has submitted a Tribal resource management plan to NMFS pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under Tribal Plans promulgated under the Endangered Species Act. (5/16, p. 34907-8)
- NMFS, by delegated authority from
the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has evaluated and prepared its
pending determination of a Tribal Plan submitted by the Northwest
Indian Fisheries Commission, in cooperation with the Puget Sound Indian
Tribes, pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for
threatened Hood Canal summer-run chum salmon under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) (5/16, p. 34907)
- The Honolulu Laboratory, Southwest
Fisheries Science Center, 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822-2396
(Dr. R. Michael Laurs, Director; Principal Investigator), has been
issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 848-1335-08 to
extend the expiration date through December 31, 2002 (5/16, p. 34909)
- NMFS says it has issued 39 scientific research permits, six research permit modifications, eight research permit amendments and withdrawn two research permit applications. NMFS withdrew the scientific research permit applications from the City of Kent Public Works in Kent, WA and the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) in Seattle, WA (5/16, p. 34909-12)
Wednesday, May 15 (May 15 TOC)
- NMFS is extending for 2 weeks the previous closure of all inshore waters and offshore waters 10 nautical miles (nm) (18.5 km) seaward of the COLREGS demarcation line, bounded by 32 deg. N. lat. (approximately Tybee Island, GA) and 34 deg. N. lat. (approximately Wilmington Beach, NC) within the Leatherback Conservation Zone, to
fishing by shrimp trawlers required to have a turtle excluder device (TED) installed in each net that is rigged for fishing, unless the TED has an escape opening large enough to exclude leatherback turtles, as specified in the regulations (5/15, p. 34622-3)
- NMFS is prohibiting retention of northern rockfish in the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (5/15, p. 34624)
- NMFS closes directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (5/15, p. 34624-5)
- NMFS releases draft Restoration Plan and EA for the oil spill at Pepco's Chalk Point Generating Facility (5/15, p. 34674-5)
Tuesday, May 14 (May 14 TOC)
- FWS proposes critical habitat for five of six plant species known historically from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Nihoa Island, Necker Island, French Frigate Shoals, Gardner Pinnacles, Maro Reef, Laysan Island, Lisianski Island, Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Kure Atoll). (5/14, p. 34521-45)
- FWS rejects petition to delist Lost River and shortnose suckers (5/14, p. 34422-3)
- NMFS issues a final rule under the Fishery Management Plan for
the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region (FMP) that requires
owners and operators of all vessels registered for use under a Hawaii
longline limited access permit and operating with longline gear north
of 23 deg. N. lat. to employ a line-setting machine with weighted
branch lines or use basket-style longline gear, and to use thawed blue-
dyed bait and strategic offal discards during setting and hauling of
longlines (5/14, p. 34408-13)
- The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has
submitted Amendment 60 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of
the Gulf of Alaska Area (FMP). This amendment would prohibit the use of
non-pelagic trawl gear in Cook Inlet. (5/14, p. 34424)
- NOAA requests that users of the Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary (FKNMS) avoid, from May 15, 2002 through June 28, 2002, an
area of approximately 0.58 acres marked by construction buoys in the
vicinity of 25 deg.0.67' N, 80 deg.22.37' W, which is at ``Molasses
Reef,'' and is located 6 nautical miles (11.1 km) off the southeastern
portion of Key Largo, Florida. During this time, NOAA and authorized
contractors will be conducting physical restoration activities of a
coral reef where the M/V Wellwood grounded in August 1984 (5/14, p. 34435-6)
- NMFS issues permit to Dr. Frank A. Chapman, U-Florida Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, to take Shortnose Sturgeon for
purposes of scientific research and enhancement (5/14, p. 34436)
Monday, May 13 (May 13 TOC)
Friday, May 10 (May 10 TOC)
Thursday, May 9 (May 9 TOC)
- 404 program: Corps, EPA revise definition of "fill" under CWA (5/9, p. 31129-43)
- FWS releases EA, announces receipt of ITP application from Dr. Raymond Waddell, Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL (Ala. beach mouse, sea turtles) (5/9, p. 31356-7)
- FWS releases EA, announces receipt of ITP application from Blaine C. and Lynda C. Crum, Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL (Ala. beach mouse, sea turtles) (5/9, p. 31357-9)
- FWS releases EA, announces receipt of ITP application from FML81A, LLC, Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL (Ala. beach mouse, sea turtles) (5/9, p. 31359-60)
- FWS releases EA, announces receipt of ITP application from Mr. John Hancock, Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL (Ala. beach mouse, sea turtles) (5/9, p. 31360-2)
- FWS releases EA, announces receipt of ITP application from Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sizemore, Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL (Ala. beach mouse, sea turtles) (5/9, p. 31362-3)
- FWS releases EA, announces receipt of ITP application from FML81, LLC, , Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin County, AL (Ala. beach mouse, sea turtles) (5/9, p. 31363-5)
- Battle of Midway National Memorial Advisory Committee; Meeting
Notice (5/9, p. 31365)
- NMFS will prepare an EIS to assess the potential impacts on the human environment of sea turtle interactions with fishing activities in Hawaii State waters associated with an application for an individual ITP submitted by the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (5/9, p. 31172)
- NMFS: "In light of NMFS economic analysis and public comments
received about the proposed rule, NMFS is withdrawing the proposed rule that, if implemented, would have suspended, for the 2002 season, regulations that close the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Texas to shrimp trawling from 30 minutes after official sunset on May 15 to 30
minutes after official sunset on July 15, each year (i.e., the Texas closure). The withdrawal is discussed further below. In withdrawing the proposed rule, NMFS hereby notifies the public that the Texas closure regulations will remain in effect for the 2002 fishing year. (5/9, p. 31173-6)
Wednesday, May 8 (May 8 TOC)
- FWS will prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
EIS for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (5/8, p. 30950)
- Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment for Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
and Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District, Bloomington, MN (5/8, p. 30945-6)
- FWS releases proposed Safe Harbor agreement for Robert Mondavi Winery, San Luis Obispo County, California (5/8, p. 30948-9)
- FWS receives application to import sport-hunted bontebok trophy (5/8, p. 30947)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (5/8, p. 30946-7)
- FWS issues letters of authorization to take polar bears incidental to oil and gas industry exploration activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska (5/8, p. 30950)
Tuesday, May 7 (May 7 TOC)
- FWS, FS amend the operating regulations of the Federal Subsistence Management Program in Alaska. (5/7, p. 30559-71)
- FWS reopens public comment period until June 6 on proposed rule to list the Carson wandering skipper as endangered. Public hearing set for May 22 (5/7, p. 30645-6)
- FWS reopens public comment period until June 6 on proposed designation of critical habitat for Thlaspi californicum (Kneeland Prairie penny-cress). Draft economic analysis released. (5/7, p. 30643-4)
- FWS reopens comment period until June 6 on proposed designation of critical habitat for Cirsium loncholepis (La Graciosa thistle), Eriodictyon capitatum (Lompoc yerba santa), and Deinandra increscens ssp. villosa (Gaviota tarplant). Draft economic analysis released. (5/7, p. 30641-2)
- FWS reopens comment period until June 6 on proposed designation of critical habitat for two varieties of purple amole: Chlorogalum purpureum var. purpureum (purple amole) and Chlorogalum purpureum var. reductum (Camatta Canyon amole). Draft economic analysis released. (5/7, p. 30644-5)
- FWS reopens comment period until June 6 on proposed designation of critical habitat for Holocarpha macradenia (Santa Cruz Tarplant). Draft economic analysis released. (5/7, p. 30642-3)
- FWS submits to OMB an Information Collection Request, North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey. (5/7, p.30719)
- FWS submits to OMB an Information Collection Request, Mourning Dove Call Count Survey (5/7, p. 30719-20)
- FWS receives end. species/marine mammal permit applications (5/7, p. 30720-1)
- FWS receives end. species permit applications (5/7, p. 30721)
- NMFS issues final specifications for the 2002 spiny dogfish
fishery (5/7, p. 30614-6)
- NMFS announces changes in certain trip limits for the
Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries (5/7, p. 30604-14)
- NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the 2002
ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California, and the
2003 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2003 (5/7, p. 30616-27)
- NMFS asks for comment on ALJ recommendations on its proposed rule to limit harvest of Cook Inlet Beluga whales by Native Alaskans (5/7, p. 30646-7)
- Amendment to NMFS scientific research permit requested (California sea lion) (5/7, p. 30651-2)
Monday, May 6 (May 6 TOC)
- NMFS issues this interim final rule to amend measures that
were implemented through an interim final rule published by NMFS on
April 29, 2002, in order to protect species managed under the Northeast
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) from overfishing. This
interim final rule imposes additional restrictions ordered by the U.S.
District Court for the District of Columbia (Court) in a Remedial Order
issued on April 26, 2002: Two new area closures in the eastern Gulf of
Maine (GOM), an increase in the minimum size for commercially caught
cod, and a new restriction on dehooking devices (5/6, p. 30331-3)
- NMFS issues a proposed rule that would establish Federal
permit and reporting requirements for any U.S. fishing vessel that uses
troll or handline fishing gear to harvest pelagic management unit
species in waters of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (U.S. EEZ) around
Howland Island, Baker Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman
Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island and Midway Atoll (5/6, p. 30346-8)
Friday, May 3 (May 3 TOC)
Thursday, May 2 (May 2 TOC)
Wednesday, May 1 (May 1 TOC)
- FWS has released a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge for review and comment (5/1, p. 21711-2)
- NMFS is closing, for a 2-week period, all inshore waters and
offshore waters 10 nautical miles (nm) (18.5 km) seaward of the COLREGS
demarcation line, bounded by 32 deg. N. lat. (approximately Tybee
Island, GA) and 34 deg. N. lat. (approximately Wilmington Beach, NC)
within the Leatherback Conservation Zone, to fishing by shrimp trawlers
required to have a turtle excluder device (TED) installed in each net
that is rigged for fishing, unless the TED has an escape opening large
enough to exclude leatherback turtles, as specified in the regulations (5/1, p. 21585-6)
- NMFS has received new evidence of steelhead presence in two locations and spawning in one location south of the current range of the listed southern California steelhead Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU), which is currently Malibu Creek. Based upon this new information, and the possibility that anadromous O. mykiss may occur in other streams south of Malibu Creek if hydrologic and other habitat conditions are favorable, NMFS is now issuing a final rule under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that redefines the geographic range of the listed anadromous O. mykiss population to include all steelhead and their progeny that occur in coastal river basins from the Santa Maria River (inclusive) to the U.S. (5/1, p. 21586-98)
- This document amends and corrects a January 8, 2002, emergency
interim rule implementing Steller sea lion protection measures and 2002
harvest specifications for the Alaska groundfish fisheries by making
corrections to the preamble and regulatory text (5/1, p. 21600-6)
- NMFS has disapproved the Comprehensive Amendment Addressing
Sustainable Fishery Act Definitions and Other Required Provisions of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act in the Fishery Management Plans of the U.S.
Caribbean (Comprehensive SFA Amendment) submitted by the Caribbean
Fishery Management Council (5/1, p. 21598-9)
- NMFS corrects web address for petition to establish a program to
count, cap, and control bycatch in U.S. fisheries (5/1, p. 21618-9)
Tuesday, April 30 (April 30 TOC)
Monday, April 29 (April 29 TOC)
- The Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Advisory Committee announces meetings May 2 and 29 (4/29, p. 20989)
- NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 54 to the
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, Amendment 54 to the FMP for Groundfish
of the Gulf of Alaska (Amendments 54/54), and an amendment to the
Pacific halibut commercial fishery regulations for waters in and off
Alaska (4/29, p. 20915-8)
- NMFS interim final rule implements restrictions under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This interim final rule reduces overfishing on Northeast groundfish stocks through reductions in fishing mortality achieved from measures that include temporal extension of existing area closures, new area closures, new gear restrictions, restrictions on days-at-sea usage, and more restrictive recreational fishing measures (4/29, p. 21139-58)
- NMFS will hold four public hearings to receive comments from
fishery participants and other members of the public on two proposed
rules: The first would implement sea turtle and whale protection
measures for the bottom longline, pelagic longline, and shark gillnet
fisheries for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS). The comment
period on this proposed rule is extended to May 20, 2002, to coincide
with the comment period of the supporting Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) issued for the rule. The second
proposed rule would amend the consolidated regulations governing the
Atlantic HMS fisheries to define operations and regulations for HMS
Charter/Headboats (CHBs), require an Atlantic HMS recreational permit,
adjust the timeframe for permit category changes for Atlantic HMS and
Atlantic tunas permits, clarify the regulations regarding the retention
of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) in the Gulf of Mexico by recreational
and HMS CHB vessels, and clarify NMFS' authority to set different BFT
recreational fishing retention limits by vessel type (e.g., charter
boats, headboats). (4/29, p. 20944-5)
- NMFS make positive preliminary determination on application
to issue an EFP to one vessel submitted by the Mount Desert Oceanarium of Southwest Harbor, METhe exemption would allow one fishing vessel to fish for, retain
and land small numbers of regulated multispecies, monkfish, spiny
dogfish, and several unmanaged species for the purpose of public
display (4/29, p. 20943-4)
- NMFS issues this proposed rule that would implement the
reasonable and prudent alternatives of the March 29, 2001, Biological
Opinion (BiOp) issued by NMFS under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
This proposed rule is intended to reduce interactions between
endangered and threatened sea turtles and pelagic fishing gear and to
mitigate the harmful effects of interactions that occur (4/29, p. 20945-51)
- Navy issues ROD on decision to dispose of the former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro in a manner consistent with state and local land use plans (4/29, p. 20961-3)
Friday, April 26 (April 26 TOC)
Thursday, April 25 (April 25 TOC)
Wednesday, April 24 (April 24 TOC)
- FWS, on behalf of the Interior Department and the State of Rhode Island, releases the draft Restoration Plan and EA for the Landfill and Resource
Recovery Inc. Superfund Site (4/24, p. 20146-7)
- NMFS is closing, for a short 2-week period, all inshore waters
and offshore waters 10 nautical miles (nm) (18.5 km) seaward of the
COLREGS demarcation line, bounded by 31 deg. N. lat. (approximately St.
Andrews Sound, Georgia) and 32 deg. N. lat. (approximately Tybee
Island, Georgia) within the Leatherback Conservation Zone, to fishing
by shrimp trawlers required to have a turtle excluder device (TED)
installed in each net that is rigged for fishing, unless the TED has an
escape opening large enough to exclude leatherback turtles, as
specified in the regulations (4/24, p. 20054-5)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for species in the rock sole/
flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using
trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (4/24, p. 20057-8)
- NMFS announces that 95 percent of the Atlantic herring total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to Management Area 1A (Area 1A) for the first seasonal period of the fishing year 2002 has been harvested. Therefore, federally permitted vessels may not fish for, catch, possess, transfer or land more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic herring harvested from Area 1A per trip or calendar day until June 1, when the second seasonal period TAC becomes available (4/24, p. 20056)
- NMFS announces that the commercial and recreational fisheries
for all salmon except coho, in the areas from Cape Falcon to Humbug
Mountain, OR, opened March 20, 2002, and April 1, 2002, respectively,
and will continue through dates to be determined in the management
measures for year 2002 ocean salmon fisheries in the U.S. exclusive
economic zone (4/24, p. 20056-7)
- NMFS has received an application for a research/enhancement
permit from Mr. Christopher Slay, of Coastwise Consulting (sea turtles) (4/24, p. 20094)
Tuesday, April 23 (April 23 TOC)
Monday, April 22 (April 22 TOC)
Friday, April 19 (April 19 TOC)
Thursday, April 18 (April 18 TOC)
- FWS receives endangered species and marine mammal permit applications (4/18, p. 19205-6)
- FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (4/18, p. 19206-7)
- FWS corrects April 9 Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment and FONSI for issuance of Incidental Take Permits to Gulf Highlands LLC and Fort Morgan Paradise Joint Venture on Privately Owned
Lands in Alabama; Correction (4/18, p. 19207)
- FWS: Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Twelfth Regular Meeting; Proposed Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Being Considered; Taxa Being Considered for Amendments to the CITES Appendices; Public Meeting Reminder (4/18, p. 19207-35)
- NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council has submitted Amendment 7 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS (4/18, p. 19155-6)
- NMFS has made a preliminary determination that an application
to issue EFPs to three gillnet vessels, submitted by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF), contains all the information required by the regulations governing exempted experimental fishing (i.e., to land monkfish in excess of amounts authorized under a
monkfish incidental catch permit) (4/18, p. 19152-4)
- NOAA receives petition for rulemaking from Oceana to promulgate immediately a rule to establish a program to count, cap, and control bycatch in U.S.
fisheries (4/18, p. 19154-5)
- NMFS modifies two scientific research permit applications (4/18, p. 19165-6)
- NMFS receives application for a scientific research permit (4/18, p. 19166-7)
- NMFS grants permit to take Pacific harbor seals for purposes of scientific research (4/18, p. 19167)
- Daniel J. Cox, Natural Exposures, 16595 Brackett Creek Road,
Bozeman, Montana 59715, has been issued a permit to take photographs the northern elephant seal (4/18, p. 19167)
Wednesday, April 17 (April 17 TOC)
- NMFS adopts as final, without change, an interim final rule
that amends the regulations that require summer flounder trawlers to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in waters off Virginia and North Carolina to reduce the incidental capture of endangered and threatened sea turtles (4/17, p. 18833)
- NMFS: Michael Kundu, Project Sea Wolf, 5516 64th Place, NE, Marysville, Washington has been issued a minor amendment to commercial/educational photography Permit No.954-1517-01 (4/17, p. 18868)
- NMFS: Dr. James T. Harvey (Principal Investigator, PI), Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, P.O. Box 450, Moss Landing CA 95039 has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 555-1565-00 (harbor seals, sea lions) (4/17, p. 18868)
Ttuesday, April 16 (April 16 TOC)
Monday, April 15 (April 15 TOC)
Friday, April 12 (April 12 TOC)
Thursday, April 11 (April 11 TOC)
Wednesday, April 10 (April 10 TOC)
- NMFS proposes rule to implement June 14, 2001, Biological Opinion (BiOp) for Atlantic pelagic longline fishery and shark gillnet fishery, in order to protect sea turtles and right whales. (4/10, p. 17349-53)
- NMFS receives an application for an EFP from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. If awarded, the EFP would allow vessels with valid Washington state delivery permits that have historically fished for arrowtooth flounder to land
certain federally managed groundfish species in excess of cumulative trip limits, providing the vessel carries a state-sponsored observer (4/10, p. 17353-4)
- NMFS receives an application for an EFP from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. If awarded, the EFP would allow vessels with valid Washington state delivery permits that have historically fished for yellowtail rockfish to land certain federally managed groundfish species in excess of cumulative trip limits and sell yellowtail rockfish for profit, providing the vessel carries a state sponsored observer while conducting EFP fishing (4/10, p. 17354-5)
- NMFS receives ITP application from the Grants Pass Irrigation District for
operation of Savage Rapids Dam in Josephine and Jackson counties in Oregon (4/10, p. 17408-9)
- More here
NMFS receives request from Caltrans for an authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to a project to seismically
retrofit three bridges at Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County, CA (4/10, p. 17409-12)
Tuesday, April 9 (April 9 TOC)
Monday, April 8 (April 8 TOC)
Friday, April 5 (April 5 TOC)
- FWS proposes critical habitat for 46 of the 51 listed plant species known historically from the island of Molokai (4/5, p. 16491-579)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for pollock in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (4/5, p. 16325-6)
- NMFS issues emergency interim rule applicable to any vessel
registered for use under a Hawaii longline limited access permit. In order to prevent the taking of loggerhead sea turtles, the rule prohibits longline fishing north of 26 deg. N. lat. and the retention or landing of more than 10 swordfish per trip by Hawaii longline vessels that fish north of the equator (4/5, p. 16323-5)
- NMFS announces reopening of the directed fishery for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast at 12 midnight local time (l.t.) on March 31, 2002 (4/5, p. 16322-3)
- NMFS proposes to suspend, for the 2002 fishing year, the
seasonal prohibition of shrimp trawling in the exclusive economic zone off Texas (the Texas closure). This action would enable fishermen to harvest marketable-sized shrimp from an area that would otherwise be closed. The intended effect of this action is to increase revenues to
the shrimping industry and to mitigate short-term adverse impacts associated with additional closures of state waters off Texas. (4/5, p. 16359-62)
- NMFS announces receipt of, and requests public comment on, a
petition for emergency rulemaking to implement measures to limit the entry of vessels into the unregulated Atlantic hagfish fishery (4/5, p. 16362-3)
- NMFS says it has received an application for an incidental take permit from the State of Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). DAR's application includes a conservation plan designed to minimize and mitigate any such take of endangered or threatened species. The permit
application is for the incidental take of ESA-listed sea turtles associated with otherwise lawful fisheries occurring in state waters (shoreline to the extent of state jurisdiction), which are under the state's management authority (except for federal pelagic and bottomfish fisheries managed by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council) (4/5, p. 16367-8)
Thursday, April 4 (April 4 TOC)
Wednesday, April 3 (April 3 TOC)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (4/3, p. 15824-5)
- FWS grants scientific research permit application to WDFW for Columbia Basin population of pygmy rabbit (4/3, p. 15825)
- FWS proposes critical habitat for 61 of the 70 species known historically from the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe that are listed under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (4/3, p. 15855-904)
- Hawaii CH, cont'd (4/3, p. 15905-54)
- Hawaii CH, cont'd (4/3, p. 15955-87)
- FWS: Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Northeast Regional Panel Meeting set for May 7-8 in Brattleboro, Vt. (4/3, p. 15825)
- NMFS issues ES permit (shortnose sturgeon) (4/3, p. 15801)
Tuesday, April 2 (April 2 TOC)
Monday, April 1 (April 1 TOC)
Friday, March 29 (March 29 TOC)
Thursday, March 28 (March 28 TOC)
Wednesday, March 27 (March 27 TOC)
- FWS proposes to designate critical habitat for the Kauai cave wolf spider and the Kauai cave amphipod (3/27, p. 14671-90)
- On March 6, FWS issued a permit (PRT-053151) to the Centers for Disease Control/National Center for Infectious Diseases in Atlanta to import biological samples collected post-mortem from one captive-born female Sumatran orangutan, and two male and one female captive-held/captive-born Bornean orangutan from the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Singapore. The Singapore Authorities wanted to rule out two possible viral infections, Coxsackievirus B and encephalomyelitis virus (3/27, p. 14727-8)
- FWS: Circo Hermanos Suarez, S.A., applied for a permit to re-export polar bears under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, FWS says it is "publishing this notice due to the high level of interest expressed by the public and members of Congress. (3/27, p. 14726-7)
- FWS will hold a public meeting April 17 to discuss proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals), resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the U.S. is considering submitting for consideration at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. COP 12 will be held in Santiago, Chile in November. (3/27, p. 14728-9)
- NMFS closes the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king
mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the southern Florida
west coast subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf group
king mackerel resource (3/27, p. 14660-1)
- NMFS proposes to amend the regulations that implement the
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), specifically with regard to the straight set of gillnets in the Southeast U.S. Restricted Area in waters off the coasts of Georgia and Florida (3/27, p. 14690-4)
- NMFS has received a request to modify permit (1266) from
John Glass, of REMSA, Inc (sea turtles) (3/27, p. 14698-9)
- NMFS extends comment period for the application submitted by Funtime Inc. d/b/a Six Flags Worlds of Adventure in Aurora, OH, to import two killer whales for the purposes of public display (3/27, p. 14699)
Tuesday, March 26 (March 26 TOC)
Monday, March 25 (March 25 TOC)
Friday, March 22 (March 22 TOC)
- FWS receives ITP application for Mayer Family HCP. The proposed permit would authorize take of the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the development of a 0.35-acre parcel (project site) near the City of Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California (3/22, p. 13354-6)
- FWS receives application for a proposed 20-year Safe Harbor Agreement for bull trout in Falls Creek, Lemhi County, ID (3/22, p. 13356-7)
- FWS announces proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the creation and enhancement of habitat for the northern spotted owl on the Forster-Gill, Inc., properties in Blue Lake, California. (3/22, p. 13357-8)
- NMFS proposes specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery for
the 2002 fishing year, which is May 1, 2002, through April 30, 2003. (3/22, p. 13303-6)
- NMFS issues a final rule to change the Community Development
Quota (CDQ) regulations for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands crab to allow the State of Alaska greater flexibility in establishing CDQ fishing seasons (3/22, p. 13291-3)
Thursday, March 21 (March 21 TOC)
- FWS reopens comment period until Oct. 15, 2002, for the final rule on the Sacramento splittail. "We are now re-opening the comment period for a fourth time to obtain peer-review and public comment on the statistical analysis used to analyze the abundant
data available for splittail, and to seek public comment on the status of the species." (3/21, p. 13095-8)
- FWS reopens public comment period until May 20 on proposal to designate critical habitat for the northern Great Plains population of piping plovers (3/21, p. 13123)
- FWS: Vestcor Fund XV, Limited requests an incidental take permit to take red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCWs) associated with the clearing of 18.3 acres of foraging
habitat incidental to the construction of a multi-family housing development in Collier County, Florida (3/21, p. 13187-9)
- FWS: Regent Development seeks ITP to take endangered Nashville
crayfish (Orconectes shoupi) from a 5-acre lake, incidental to lake draining for residential development in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee (3/21, p. 1315-7)
- FWS proposes to issue 3-year permit to Strawberry Tierra Inc. to authorize the incidental take of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (3/21, p. 13184-5)
- Soulen Livestock Inc. has applied for an enhancement of survival
permit. The permit application includes a proposed Southern Idaho Ground Squirrel Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances between Soulen Livestock, the Service, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Idaho Governor's Office of Species Conservation. (3/21, p. 13189-90)
- NMFS enacts a seasonally-adjusted gear restriction by closing the Mid-Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters to fishing with gillnets with a mesh size larger than 8 inch (20.3 cm) stretched mesh. Restriction started March 15 (3/21, p. 13098-101)
- NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 24 hours. This action is
necessary to fully use the second seasonal apportionment of the total
allowable catch of pollock specified for this area (3/21, p. 13101-2)
Wednesday, March 20 (March 20 TOC)
- FWS has prepared a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan, associated EA, and FONSI for the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, north of Austin, Texas (3/20, p. 13001-3)
- FWS re-opens comment period until March 29 for the candidate status review for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout (3/20, p. 13005-6)
- FWS asks for comments on endangered species and/or marine
mammals permit applications (3/20, p. 13003-4)
- FWS asks for comments on scientific
research permit applications (3/20, p. 13004-5)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (3/20, p. 13005)
- FWS grants permit to import one polar bear taken from the Lancaster Sound population, Canada (3/20, p. 13006-7)
- FWS grants permit to The Newark Museum to import one polar bear skin (as a full mount) and skull taken from the Southern Beaufort Sea population, Canada, for public display (3/20, p. 13007)
- The Battle of Midway National Memorial Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting by teleconference on Thursday, April 4, 2002,
from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (3/20, p. 13007)
- NMFS publishes annual management measures, promulgated as regulations by the IPHC and approved by the Secretary of State, governing the Pacific halibut fishery (3/20, p. 12885-97)
Tuesday, March 19 (March 19 TOC)
Monday, March 18 (March 18 TOC)
Friday, March 15 (March 15 TOC)
Thursday, March 14 (March 14 TOC)
Wednesday, March 13 (March 13 TOC)
- FWS confers designated port status on Anchorage, Alaska, pursuant to section 9(f) of the Endangered Species Act. Designated port status will allow the direct
importation and exportation of wildlife through this growing
international port. (3/13, p. 11260-2)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (3/13, p. 11262-3)
- NMFS proposes 2002 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish
fishery, including total allowable landings (TAL), state-by-state commercial quotas, and recreational harvest limits and possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the East Coast of the United States (3/13, p. 11276-9)
- NMFS reopens comment period for the Routine Road Maintenance Program (RMP) submitted jointly by the State of Washington through Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), King, Pierce, Snohomish, Clallam, Kitsap, Mason, and Thurston Counties, and the Cities of Bellevue, Bremerton, Burien, Covington, Edgewood, Everett, Kenmore, Kent, Lake Forest Park, Lakewood, Maple Valley, Newcastle, Renton, SeaTac, Sammamish, Shoreline, Tacoma, and University Place (3/13, p. 11285-6)
Tuesday, March 12 (March 12 TOC)
Monday, March 11 (March 11 TOC)
Friday, March 8 (March 8 TOC)
Thursday, March 7 (March 7 TOC)
- FWS releases draft EIS on potential environmental impacts of
alternative strategies to reduce, manage, and control resident Canada goose populations in the continental United States (3/7, p. 10431-2)
- North American Wetlands Conservation Council met (yes, past tense) March 6 "to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission." (3/7, p. 10432)
- NMFS final rule implements 2002 fishery specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and state waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (3/7, p. 10489-525)
- The applicant wishes to establish a cooperative breeding program
for black goshawk, red-necked falcon, orange-breasted falcon, red-napped shaheen, African peregrine, black shaheen, Bonelli's eagle, Blyth's hawk-eagle, changeable hawk-eagle, and ornate hawk-eagle (3/7, p. 10432-3)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (3/7, p. 10430-1)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (3/7, p. 10431)
Wednesday, March 6 (March 6 TOC)
Tuesday, March 5 (March 5 TOC)
Monday, March 4 (March 4 TOC)
Friday, March 1 (March 1 TOC)
Thursday, Feb. 28 (Feb. 28 TOC)
Wednesday, Feb. 27 (Feb. 27 TOC)
- FWS, FS release Federal Subsistence Board's in-season management action to protect coho salmon escapement in the Klawock River and Lake (2/27, p. 8891-2)
- FWS, FS: Federal Subsistence Board announces temporary closure to protect mountain goat populations in a portion of Unit 5(A) and changes in harvest season and quota and the establishment of a harvest priority to protect moose populations in Unit 22(B) West of the Darby Mountains (2/27, p. 8888-91)
- FWS/FS proposed rule would revise regulations related to the
customary trade of fish taken under Subsistence Management Regulations (2/27, p. 8918-24)
- FWS publishes final Comprehensive Conservation Plans and EAs for Wyandotte National Wildlife Refuge; Rydell NWR; and Shiawassee NWR, which includes the Michigan Wetland Management District (2/27, p. 8992)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for rock sole/flathead sole/
''other flatfish'' by vessels using trawl gear in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 (Zone 1) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (2/27, p. 8906-7)
- NMFS says Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has submitted an amendment for a charter vessel/headboat permit moratorium amending the fishery management plans for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (Amendment 14) and the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 20) for review, approval, and implementation. (2/27, p. 8926-7)
- Michael Sissenwine, NMFS-Northeast Fisheries Science Center, has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 775-1600-01. The permit amendment authorizes various activities with gray seals (2/27, p. 8941)
- Jenifer A. Hurley, Ph.D., Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, has applied for a permit to take California sea lions and harbor seals for purposes of scientific research (2/27, p. 8941-2)
Tuesday, Feb. 26 (Feb. 26 TOC)
Monday, Feb. 25 (Feb. 25 TOC)
- FWS says listing of Big Cypress fox squirrel is "not warranted" (2/25, p. 8499-503)
- FWS National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Commission to meet in D.C. March 12 and 13 (2/25, p. 8555)
- NMFS issues proposal to implement Amendment 11 to
the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (2/25, p. 8503-8)
- NMFS receives request to modify Permit (1189) from Dr.
James Kirk, of USAE Waterways Experiment Station. (Shortnose Sturgeon) (2/25, p. 8526)
- NMFS reopens comment period for the application submitted by Funtime, Inc. d/b/a Six Flags, Worlds of Adventure, 1060 North Aurora Road, Aurora, OH 44202, to import two killer whales for the purposes of public display. (2/25, p. 8526-7)
Friday, Feb. 22 (Feb. 22 TOC)
Thursday, Feb. 21 (Feb. 21 TOC)
- No FWS notices. See TOC for NMFS meeting notice
Wednesday, Feb. 20 (Feb. 20 TOC)
Tuesday, Feb. 19 (Feb. 19 TOC)
- This document contains a correction to the emergency rule for
the January through February 2002 Pacific Coast groundfish fishery
management measures published on January 11, 2002. (2/19, p. 7289)
- The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public hearing to consider additional alternatives for the Sargassum Fishery Management Plan (2/19, p. 7344-5)
- The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council)
intends to prepare a DSEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and
human environment of the management measure being developed in its
draft Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery
of South Atlantic Region (FMP) (2/19, p. 7344)
- NMFS NE Regional Administrator makes preliminary decision to issue EFPs that would allow three federally permitted fishing vessels to conduct fishing operations otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the Northeast multispecies
fishery. EFPs would allow the federally permitted vessels to compare a standard flounder otter trawl to a modified flounder otter trawl in order to estimate cod bycatch reduction in the modified trawl. (2/19, p. 7341-2)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator makes preliminary determination that an application to issue EFPs to six longline and tub trawl vessels,
submitted by the Maine Department of Marine Resources, contains all the information required by the regulations governing exempted experimental fishing (2/19, p. 7342-4)
- LGL Ltd., environmental research associates in Ontario, Canada, receives permit to take ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and incidentally take bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) and spotted seals (Phoca largha) for purposes of scientific research (2/19, p. 7360)
Friday, Feb. 15 (Feb. 15 TOC)
- FWS, NMFS will prepare EIS on proposed HCP, application for ITP by Chewuch Basin Council. "The application is related to water withdrawals from the Chewuch River located in Okanogan County, WA. The applicant intends to request permits for chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and bull trout." (2/15, p. 7122-3)
- FWS plans to automate the collection of training applications for the training conducted by the FWS National Conservation Training Center. (2/15, p. 7187-8)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (2/15, p. 7188)
- FWS releases final EIS on the Icicle Creek Restoration Project in Washington state (2/15, p. 7188-9)
- NMFS: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will prepare draft SEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and human environments of the proposed measures in the draft Secretarial Amendment to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan (Draft red grouper Amendment) which is being prepared by the Council and NMFS (2/15, p. 7123-4)
- NMFS proposes "the types of information that will be available to the Secretary [of Commerce] and the context in which the Secretary will consider the information in arriving at a final finding" on whether "the intentional deployment on or encirclement of dolphins with purse seine nets is having a 'significant adverse impact' on any depleted dolphin stock in the [eastern tropical Pacific Ocean]." The Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act requires the Secretary to amend the ``dolphin-safe'' labeling standard so that tuna from the ETP purse seine fishery caught in sets in which no dolphins were killed or seriously injured may be labeled "dolphin-safe." (2/15, p. 7134-8)
- Dr. Jennifer Moss Burns, University of Alaska Anchorage has applied for a permit to take Pacific harbor seals for purposes of scientific research (2/15, p. 7139-40)
Thursday, Feb. 14 (Feb. 14 TOC)
Wednesday, Feb. 13 (Feb. 13 TOC)
Feb. 12 (Feb. 12 TOC)
Monday, Feb. 11 (Feb. 11 TOC)
- FWS, FS propose to "establish regulations for seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during the 2003 regulatory year." (2/12, p. 6333-50)
- FWS corrects hearing date on "revised determinations of prudency
and proposed designations of critical habitat for plant species from the islands of Kauai and Niihau, Hawaii." (FR 1/28/02, see below). The hearing is Wednesday, Feb. 13, on Kauai. (2/12, p. 6214-5)
- FWS Region 2 (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) lists permits granted during 2001. (2/12, p. 6268-71)
- NMFS closes directed fishing for groundfish with non-pelagic trawl gear in the red king crab savings subarea (RKCSS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). (2/11, p. 6202)
- NMFS finds that petitions to delist salmon, steelhead in Northwest "present substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the
petitioned actions may be warranted for 14 of the petitioned ESUs." (2/11, p. 6215-220)
- NMFS "prohibits any person under U.S. jurisdiction from engaging in shark finning, possessing shark fins harvested on board a U.S. fishing vessel without
corresponding shark carcasses, or landing shark fins harvested without corresponding carcasses." Final rule implements the provisions of the Shark Finning Prohibition Act. (2/11, p. 6194-202)
- NMFS proposes under Northern Pacific Halibut Act "to approve and implement changes to the Area 2A Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan to adjust the management of the sport fishery in Puget Sound, WA, and to adjust the halibut possession limit for Oregon anglers." (2/11, p. 6220-3)
- NMFS issues permit 1303 to Dr. R. Michael Laurs, of Southwest Fisheries Science Center, allowing take of listed sea turtles "while conducting experiments on methods for reducing sea turtle take by longline fisheries in the Pacific Ocean and to allow import of living, deeply hooked sea turtles for treatment and rehabilitation." Expires Dec. 31, 2005 (2/11, p. 6232-3)
Friday, Feb. 8 (Feb. 8 TOC)
- Wetlands enforcement: DOJ proposed consent decree would require restoration or mitigation of affected wetlands, filling of ditches, $15,000 fine, and and preservation of about 40 acres of wetlands as part of a supplemental Environmental Project. Proposed CD "concerns alleged violations of Sections 301(a), 402, and 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 1342 and 1344, resulting from defendant's unauthorized discharge of pollutants" into waters of the U.S. in New Hanover County, North Carolina (U.S. v.
Oleander Company, Inc. and Nelson MacRae (2/8, p. 6052-3)
- Endangered species permit applications received (2/8, p. 6048)
- NMFS releases scoping report, says it will prepare two EIS's on Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery. "As a result of public comments received during the scoping
process, NMFS has improved its the EIS through development of an enhanced description of the purpose and need for NMFS action, a clear identification of significant issues related to the proposed action, and a distinction of certain elements of the proposed action related to essential fish habitat (EFH) from the broader management program for Pacific groundfish." (2/8, p. 5692-3)
Thursday, Feb. 7 (Feb. 7 TOC)
- FWS reopens comment period until Feb. 28 on proposed rule to list the Columbia Basin DPS of the pygmy rabbit as endangered. Public meeting set for Feb. 12 (2/7, p. 5780)
- FWS receives scientific research permit applications (2/7, p. 5846-7)
- FWS, FS subsistence final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means related to taking of fish and shellfish during the 2002 regulatory year (2/7, p. 5889-906)
- NMFS proposes rule to implement amendment "addressing the establishment of the Tortugas Marine Reserves in the Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico," as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. NMFS says "this action would provide enhanced protections for existing marine reserves in the vicinity of the Dry Tortugas, Florida." (2/7, p. 5780-4)
- NMFS requests comments on request by USGS "for an authorization to take [in April and late May] small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to collecting marine seismic reflection data to investigate the earthquake hazard in the Straits of Georgia region of Washington State." (2/7, p. 5792-6)
- NMFS issues scientific research permit to take California sea lions and harbor seals for purposes of scientific research (2/7, p. 5797)
Wednesday, Feb. 6 (Feb. 6 TOC)
- FWS lists showy stickseed, Washington plant, as endangered (2/6, p. 5515-25)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for collection of information in order to continue the grants programs under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. FWS is requesting a three-year term of approval for this information collection activity (2/6, p. 5608-9)
- FWS receives application for scientific research permit to take (remove, tag, collect shells, remove glochidia, exam, measure, transport, hold in raceways
and/or recirculating trough units) the Ouachita-rock pocketbook (2/6, p. 5609-10)
- FWS extends comment period on draft EA/HCP for an ITP for the Six Points Road Interchange and related development in Marion and Hendricks counties, Indiana (Indiana bat), due to the department-wide prohibition on the use of electronic mail and the Internet (2/6, p. 5610)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFPs that would allow up to four federally permitted vessels in the limited access multispecies fishery to conduct fishing operations otherwise restricted by the regulations (2/6, p. 5558-9)
Tuesday, Feb. 5 (Feb. 5 TOC)
Monday, Feb. 4 (Feb. 4 TOC)
Friday, Feb. 1 (Feb. 1 TOC)
Thursday, Jan. 31 (Jan. 31 TOC)
Wednesday, Jan. 30 (Jan. 30 TOC)
Today's links: Tuesday, Jan. 29 (Jan. 29 Table of Contents)
- DOI and agencies within it (FWS, BLM, BIA, MMS, NPS, BuRec, USGS, publish alternate agency mail sites for submission of comments to rulemaking documents, notices, and any other relevant departmental documents under public review and for which comments have been solicited. The department's Internet access, including receipt of
outside e-mail, has been shut down under court order until further notice (1/29, p. 4278)
- NMFS increases trip limit in the commercial hook-and-line
fishery for king mackerel in the Florida east coast subzone to 75 fish per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit increase is necessary to maximize the socioeconomic benefits of the quota. (1/29, p. 4210-1)
- Luciana Moller, Ph.D., Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale, has been issued a permit to import tissue samples taken from bottlenose dolphins in Australia for purposes of scientific research. (1/29, p. 4239)
Today's links: Monday, Jan. 28 (Jan. 28 Table of Contents)
- FWS proposes critical habitat for Newcomb's snail (1/28, p. 3849-67)
- FWS proposes critical habitat for 83 species from islands of Kauai and Niihau (1/28, p. 3939-3988)
- Hawaiian critical habitat, cont'd (1/28, p. 3989-4038)
- Hawaiian critical habitat, cont'd (1/28, p. 4039-88)
- Hawaiian critical habitat, cont'd (1/28, p. 4089-98)
- Sultan & Kahn Partnership Ltd has requested an amendment to an incidental take permit issued March 9, 2001 by FWS. The amendment would authorize
the incidental take of the endangered Bone Cave harvestman (1/28, p. 3907-8)
- FWS Aquatic Nuisance species task force to meet Feb. 28 in Alexandria, Va. (1/28, p. 3908)
- NMFS issues final rule amending portions of the regulations
implementing recordkeeping and reporting (R&R) requirements for groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska. (1/28, p. 4099-161)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. (1/28, p. 3825)
- NMFS corrects emergency rule for the January through February 2002 Pacific Coast groundfish fishery management measures published Jan. 11 (1/28, p. 3820-4)
- NMFS proposes regulations to implement a guideline harvest
level (GHL) and a system of harvest reduction measures for managing the harvest of Pacific halibut in the guided recreational fishery in International Pacific Halibut Commission (Commission) areas 2C and 3A off Alaska (1/28, p. 3867-73)
Friday, Jan. 25 (Jan. 25 TOC)
- FWS proposes to remove the Mariana Mallard and the Guam Broadbill from the list of threatened and endangered wildlife (1/25, p. 3675-9)
- FWS issues emergency exemption so Conservation International/IUCN Turtle Survival Alliance, Aiken, South Carolina, can import five river terrapin (Batagur baska) from Kadoorie Farms and Botanic Gardens, Tai Po, New
Territories, Hong Kong (1/25, p. 3730)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (1/25, p. 3730-1)
- FWS proposes to issue a 10-year permit to Morrison-Fountainwood-Agoura authorizing take of the coastal California gnatcatcher incidental to construction of 570 residential units and appurtenant infrastructure on a 445-acre site north of the City of Moorpark, Ventura County, California. (1/25, p. 3731-2)
- FWS issues marine mammal permit for research on Southern sea otters (1/25, p. 3732)
- NMFS announces final initial specifications for the 2002
fishing year for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB); including an in-season adjustment provision for the 2002 mackerel joint venture processing (JVP) annual specification (1/25, p. 3623-7)
- NMFS says Caribbean Fishery Management Council has submitted a Comprehensive Amendment addressing Sustainable Fishery Act definitions and other required provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act in the Fishery Management Plans of the U.S. Caribbean for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS (1/25, p. 3679-80)
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), King, Pierce, Snohomish, Clallam, Kitsap, Mason, and Thurston counties, and the cities of Bellevue, Bremerton, Burien, Covington, Edgewood, Everett, Kenmore, Kent, Lake Forest Park, Lakewood, Maple Valley, Newcastle, Renton, Sammamish, Shoreline, Tacoma, and University Place have jointly submitted a Routine Road Maintenance Program (RMP) pursuant to
protective regulations promulgated under the ESA. The RMP would affect 12 Evolutionarily Significant Units of threatened salmonids (1/25, p. 3688-9)
Thursday, Jan. 24 (Jan. 24 TOC)
Wednesday, Jan. 23 (Jan. 23 TOC)
Tuesday, Jan. 22 (Jan. 22 TOC)
- FWS: International Center for Gibbon Studies, Santa Clarita,
CA, PRT-050284, applies for endangered species permit (1/22, p. 2900)
- FWS will prepare a Supplemental EIS for a proposed amendment to the Plum Creek Native Fish Habitat Conservation Plan and request for issuance of an incidental take permit to take endangered and threatened species (1/22, p. 2900-1)
- NMFS modifies letter of authorization allowing take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to missile and rocket launches, aircraft flight test operations, and helicopter operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA (1/22, p. 2820-4)
- NMFS authorizes take of several species of marine mammals incidental to operation of a low-frequency sound source by the North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory (1/22, p. 2857-8)
- NMFS issues permit amendment to the Fish Ecology Division of NMFS' Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA (1/22, p. 2859)
- NMFS receives notice from Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon that it has withdrawn its ESA scientific research permit application (1/22, p. 2859)
Friday, Jan. 18 (Jan. 18 TOC)
- A couple of meeting notices for NMFS; check TOC link.
Thursday, Jan. 17 (Jan. 17 TOC)
Monday, Jan. 16 (Jan.16 TOC)
Tuesday, Jan. 15 (Jan. 15 TOC)
- Wetlands: Army Corps issues new nationwide permits, conditions (1/15, p. 2019-95)
- FWS: Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Consolidated Information Center (CIC)/Library, rooms 120 and 120A on the Washington State University, Tri-Cities campus, 2770 University Dr., Richland, WA. The meeting is open to the public
and media. (1/15, p. 1981)
- NMFS closes Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery (1/15, p. 1908-9)
Monday, Jan. 14 (Jan. 14 TOC)
- FWS reclassifies Scutellaria montana (Large-Flowered Skullcap) From endangered to threatened (1/14, p. 1662-8)
- FWS reopens comment period until March 15 on proposed listing of Lomatium cookii (Cook's lomatium) and Limnanthes floccosa ssp. grandiflora
(large-flowered wooly meadowfoam) as endangered species (1/14, p. 1712-3)
- FWS plans EA on Threemile Canyon Farms Multi-Species Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (Washington ground squirrel). The MSCCA "will cover approximately 93,000 acres near Boardman, Ore., including a 23,000-acre wildlife conservation area managed by TNC and property owned by [Portland General Electric] located within the plan boundaries (1/14, p. 1781)
- NMFS amends the emergency rule extension regulations governing
the Atlantic highly migratory species fisheries that closed the Northeast Distant Statistical Reporting area, required modifications in deploying pelagic longline fishing gear, and requiring sea turtle handling and release guidelines for bottom and pelagic longline fisheries to be posted in the wheelhouse. This revision is needed to make the regulations consistent with the June 14, 2001, Biological Opinion on the Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan and its associated fisheries (1/14, p. 1668-9)
- NMFS: James Gilbert, University of Maine, has been issued a permit to take harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) for purposes of scientific research. (1/14, p. 1739)
Friday, Jan. 11 (Jan. 11 TOC)
- FWS receives ES permit amendment request (gray wolf) (1/11, p. 1494)
- FWS receives ES permit applications (1/11, p. 1494-5)
- FWS receives ES permit applications (1/11, p. 1495-6)
- FWS: Kennedy Development of California, LLC has applied for 10-year permit to take coastal California gnatcatcher in connection with residential construction (65-
unit, 28.9-acre Mission View Estates 28.9 in Oceanside (San Diego Co.), California (1/11, p. 1496-7)
- FWS grants permit to Monterey Bay Aquarium to take Southern sea otters (1/11, p. 1497)
- NMFS announces January-February 2002 management
measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and state waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. (1/11, p. 1539-54)
- NMFS proposes a rule to implement the 2002 fishery
specifications and management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S.
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and state waters off the coasts of
Washington, Oregon, and California. (1/11, p. 1554-93)
- NOAA Natl. Ocean Service sets public hearing on the Supplement to the draft EIS and Draft Management Plan for the proposed San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in California (1/11, p. 1441)
Thursday, Jan. 10 (Jan. 10 TOC)
- FWS: Applicants request renewal of scientific research permits (1/10, p. 1365)
- NMFS final rule "expands gear modifications" for lobster trapping and gillnet fishing to protect right whales that were required by a December 2000 interim final rule. Rule implements the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan "to provide further protection for large whales, with an emphasis on protective measures to benefit North Atlantic right whales." (1/10, p. 1300-14)
- NMFS announces preliminary alternative approaches for the
designation of Essential Fish Habitat and habitat areas of particular concern for the following fishery management plans: Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area;
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs; Scallop Fishery off Alaska; and Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off the Coast of Alaska. (1/10, p. 1325-6)
- NMFS: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) intends to
prepare a DSEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and human
environment of the management measure proposed in its draft Amendment 2
to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Resources of Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (1/10, p. 1323-4)
- NMFS expands New England Fishery Management Council meeting to include closed session on Wed., Jan. 16, 2002, to discuss the lawsuit concerning Framework 33 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (1/10, p. 1324)
- NMFS releases Observer Coverage Plan for the
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery. (1/10, p. 1329)
Wednesday, Jan. 9 (Jan. 9 TOC)
- FWS reschedules two public meetings associated with the
comment period for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on double-crested cormorant management (1/9, p. 1226-7)
- NMFS issues final 4(d) rule for four salmon, steelhead ESUs (1/9, p. 1116-33)
- NMFS announces Pacific halibut and red king crab bycatch rate
standards for the first half of 2002 (1/9, p. 1160-3)
- NMFS announces approval of Amendment 6 to the Fishery
Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Off the Coast of Alaska (1/9, p. 1163-4)
- NMFS issues final rule to amend regulations implementing the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to clarify its authority to temporarily restrict the use of lobster trap and gillnet fishing gear within defined areas to protect North Atlantic right whales, and to establish criteria and procedures for implementing a Dynamic Area Management (DAM) program in areas north of 40o N. latitude, in order to further reduce risk of entanglement of right whales by such gear. (1/9, p. 1133-42)
- NMFS issues an interim final rule to amend the regulations
that implement the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to provide further protection for large whales, with an emphasis on North Atlantic right whales, through a Seasonal Area Management (SAM) program (1/9, p. 1142-60)
- NMFS: Pacific Fishery Management Council has begun its
annual preseason management process for the 2002 ocean salmon fisheries. NMFS releases document announcing dates and locations of Council meetings and public hearings comprising the Council's complete schedule of events for determining the annual proposed and final modifications to ocean
Tuesday, Jan. 8 (Jan. 8 TOC)
Monday, Jan. 7 (Jan. 7 TOC)
- FWS establishes two manatee refuges in Brevard County (1/7, p. 680-96)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB re: beginning of grants program conducted under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (1/7, p. 743-4)
- FWS asks for comments on Boating Infrastructure
Grant Program Survey (1/7, p. 744-55)
- Wetlands enforcement: DOJ proposed consent decree would impose fines of $90,000, enjoin Mickie E. Jarvill from discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. (U.S. v. Arlington Valley Land Company, Civ. C99-1711C(M) (W.D. Wa.) (1/7, p. 758)
- Wetlands enforcement: Proposed consent decree imposes fines for the unauthorized discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States located in wetlands next to a tributary of Blackberry River, located in North Canaan, Connecticut. (U.S. v. Specialty Minerals Inc., John J. Foley, Jr. and Dorothy K. Foley, Civ. 3:01CV1853 (RNC) (D. Conn.) (1/7, p. 758)
Friday, Jan. 4 (Jan. 4 TOC)
Thursday, Jan. 3 (Jan. 3 TOC)
- FWS issues positive 90-day finding on Miami blue butterfly, initiates status review to determine if listing the species is warranted (1/3, p. 280-2)
- Wetlands enforcement: DOJ reopens comment period on proposed consent decree in U.S. v. Caribbean Airport Facilities Inc. and Anthony Tirri, Civ. 01-2178 JAG, D.P.R.), re: wetlands violations (1/3, p. 346) (originally published Oct. 4)
- NMFS proposes regulations to modify management measures
applicable to the American lobster fishery (1/3, p. 282-96)
- NMFS receives application for a scientific research permit from Eugene Greer, of Columbia Environmental Research Center, and from Michael J. Bresette, of Inwater Research Group Inc. (1/3, p. 308)
Wednesday, Jan. 2 (Jan. 2 TOC)
Monday, Dec. 31 (Dec. 31 TOC)
Friday, Dec. 28 (Dec. 28 TOC)
- FWS: Gulf Highlands LLC and Fort Morgan Paradise Joint Venture
are seeking ITPs for a residential development in Alabama that would take Alabama beach mouse (12/28, p. 67290-2)
- FWS: Air Products, L.P., of Houston, Texas, has submitted an
application to install a 10-inch nominal pipeline for transportation of industrial gas from Bayport, Texas, to Freeport, Texas, containing approximately 52.7 miles in length and crossing portions of Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria counties, Texas. The pipeline will be within an
existing 300-foot wide pipeline right-of-way corridor that crosses the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, in Brazoria County, Texas. (12/28, p. )
- FWS begins candidate status review for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout to determine if candidate status is warranted (12/28, p. 67289-90)
- FWS reopens public comment period until Jan. 28 on proposal to designate CH for Northern Plains piping plover (12/28, p. 67165-6)
- FWS: In anticipation of receiving an application for an incidental
take permit for the Multiple HCP, FWS requests public comment on all four volumes of
the draft MHCP Plan and a draft EIS/EIR prepared jointly by the service and San Diego Association of Governments. (12/28, p. 67292-4)
- NMFS issues an emergency rule to establish the commercial
quotas for large and small coastal sharks at 1,285 metric tons (mt)
dressed weight (dw) and 1,760 mt dw, respectively (12/28, p. 67118-21)
- NMFS announces that the State of Maine, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, the State of Connecticut, the State of Florida, and the
State of Maryland have transferred a total of 434,000 lb (196,859 kg)
of commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina from their
respective 2001 quotas (12/28, p. 67122)
Thursday, Dec. 27 (Dec. 27 TOC)
- FWS emergency lists the Tumbling Creek cavesnail (12/27, p. 66803-11)
- FWS proposes listing for the Tumbling Creek cavesnail (12/27, p. 66868-9)
- FWS issues Letters of Authorization to Phillips Alaska and Anadarko Inc. to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas industry activities (12/27, p. 66915-6)
- NMFS announces annual harvest guideline for Pacific
sardine in the exclusive economic zone off the Pacific coast for calendar year 2002. (12/27, p. 66811-2)
- Daniel J. Cox, Natural Exposures, Bozeman, Mont., has applied for a permit to take Northern elephant seals for purposes of commercial/educational photography (12/27, p. 66888)
- NMFS' Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami has been
issued a permit to take marine mammals for purposes of scientific research (12/27, p. 66888)
Wednesday, Dec. 26 (Dec. 26 TOC)
- FWS reinstates 1993 proposed listing of the flat-tailed horned
lizard as a threatened species, reopens public comment period. Action was taken to comply with Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision (12/26, p. 66384-5)
- NMFS issues final specifications for the 2002 summer flounder,
scup, and black sea bass fisheries and makes preliminary adjustments to
the 2002 commercial quotas for these fisheries. (12/26, p. 66348-58)
- On Nov. 27, NMFS announced its intent to revise the Alaska Groundfish Fisheries draft Programmatic SEIS. After reviewing more than 21,000 comment letters received on the draft Programmatic SEIS, NMFS determined that revisions to the draft Programmatic SEIS are appropriate and necessary. NMFS also determined that these revisions
will require the release of a revised draft Programmatic SEIS. Based on these decisions, NMFS announced a new series of dates for preparing the revised draft, preparing the final programmatic SEIS, and issuing the Record of Decision (12/26, p. 66390-1)
- NMFS proposes rule to amend regulations governing Atlantic billfish and North Atlantic swordfish recreational fisheries to implement recommendations adopted at the 2000 meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and to enhance management programs for these species (12/26, p. 66386-90)
Friday, Dec. 21 (Dec. 21 TOC)
Thursday, Dec. 20 (Dec. 20 TOC)
Wednesday, December 19 (Dec. 19 TOC)
- FWS grants emergency exemption to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to capture individuals from the Columbia Basin DPS of the pygmy rabbit, recently listed as endangered (12/19, p. 65508-9)
- FWS Region 3 requests amendment to permit for scientific
research activities, to add species to authorization list (12/19, p. 65509)
- Third Rock Consultants, LLC., Lexington, Ky., requests scientific research permit to conduct activities with a variety of species (12/19, p. 65509-10)
- FWS announces public meetings on draft EIS on double-
crested cormorant management (12/19, p. 65510-1)
- NMFS issues interim final rule to establish a voluntary fishing capacity reduction program for the Northeast multispecies fishery that permanently removes multispecies limited access fishing permits (12/19, p. 65454-9)
- NMFS will prepare EA for issuing a Bowhead Whale subsistence quota to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission for the years 2003 through 2007 (12/19, p. 65472-3)
Tuesday, Dec. 18 (Dec. 18 TOC)
Monday, Dec. 17 (Dec. 17 TOC)
- FWS receives permit request to import sport-hunted male bontebok from South Africa (12/17, p. 64986)
- Various endangered species permit applications filed with FWS (12/17, p. 64986-7)
- FWS receives permit request: 12,000 eyed Atlantic salmon eggs (12/17, p. 64987)
- FWS grants permit to import polar bear (12/17, p. 64987)
- NMFS publishes IFQ standard prices and notification of adjustment of the IFQ fee percentage for the IFQ Cost Recovery Program in the halibut and sablefish fisheries of the North Pacific. (12/17, p. 64915-7)
- NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 61 to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, Amendment 61 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, Amendment 13 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab, and Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska (FMPs). These amendments incorporate the provisions of the American Fisheries Act (AFA) into the FMPs and their implementing regulations (12/17, p. 65027-69)
Friday, Dec. 14 (Dec. 14 TOC)
Thursday, Dec. 13 (Dec. 13 TOC)
- FWS releases draft Addendum to the Recovery Plan for the Multi-Island Plants (10 endangered plants endemic to the Maui Nui group of islands in the Hawaiian Islands) (12/13, p. 64451-2)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (12/13, p. 64380)
- NMFS extends expiration date until July 8, 2002, of the emergency rule that closed the Northeast Distant Statistical Reporting (NED) Area to pelagic longline fishing, required modifications in deploying pelagic longline fishing gear, and required sea turtle handling and release guidelines for bottom and pelagic longline fisheries to be posted in
the wheelhouse (12/13, p. 64378-9)
- NMFS announces a 2001-2002 aboriginal subsistence whaling
quota for gray whales of five gray whales landed. This quota and other
management provisions govern the harvest of gray whales by members of
the Makah Indian Tribe (Tribe) (12/13, p. 64378)
- NMFS proposes a regulatory amendment that would establish cut-
off dates for using landings data from the commercial summer flounder,
scup, and black sea bass fisheries to calculate quota overages (12/13, p. 64392-6)
- NMFS announces the availability of harbor porpoise bycatch
estimates for January through December, 2000 (12/13, p. 64403)
Wednesday, Dec. 12 (Dec. 12 TOC)
- No FWS or NMFS notices today
Tuesday, Dec. 11 (Dec. 11 TOC)
Monday, Dec. 10 (Dec. 10 TOC)
- FWS designates five units totalling 65,879 acres in the Koolau and Waianae mountains on the island of Oahu as critical habitat for the Oahu elepaio (12/10, p. 63751-82)
- FWS proposes to list the San Miguel Island Fox, Santa Rosa Island Fox, Santa Cruz Island Fox, and Santa Catalina Island Fox as endangered (12/10, p. 63654-65)
- FWS extends comment period until Jan. 25 on proposed rule to authorize new methods of take for light goose hunting (12/10, p. 63665-6)
- DEIS available on light goose management (12/10, p. 63723-4)
- NMFS extends emergency interim rule prohibiting the targeting
of swordfish north of the equator by Hawaii longline vessels, among other things (12/10, p. 63630-2)
- The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils
plan to prepare Amendment 2 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan and to prepare an SEIS in accordance with NEPA to analyze the impacts of any proposed management measures on the human environment (12/10, p. 63666-7)
- NMFS issues Incidental Harassment Authorization to take small numbers of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) by harassment incidental to repairs at the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facility in Carpinteria, Calif. to Venoco Inc. (12/10, p. 63680-3)
Today's links: Friday, Dec. 7 (Dec. 7 Table of Contents)
Thursday, Dec. 6 (Dec. 6 TOC)
Wednesday, Dec. 5 (Dec. 5 TOC)
- FWS releases technical/agency draft recovery plan for Karner blue butterfly (12/5, p. 63248-9)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (12/5, p. 63247-8)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (12/5, p. 63248)
- NMFS announces a 1,000 lb (454 kg)/trip limit of Dover sole in
the limited entry trawl fishery coastwide for the month of December. (12/5, p. 63199-202)
- OPA enforcement: Proposed consent decree--U.S. v. Equilon Pipeline Company, LLC, Civ. No. H-01 3171, S.D. Tex.). For discharges of oil and gasoline into the navigable waters of the U.S. and the State of Texas in the vicinity of the San Jacinto River on or about Oct. 20, 1994. Defendants will buy about 100 acres of replacement property and pay another $250,000 "to construct estuarine and freshwater habitat." (12/5, p. 63256-7)
- Wetlands enforcement: Proposed consent decree--U.S. v. Gallo Glass Company (Civ. No. C 01 3350 JL, N.D. Cal.). CD "imposes civil penalties against the defendants for the excavation and deep ripping of 260 acres of wetlands and depositing fill material into approximately 12.5 acres of drainage, swales, and creeks in wetlands adjacent to Washoe Creek, a tributary to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Creek and Russian River, located on Stoney Point." (12/5, p. 63257)
Tuesday, Dec. 4 (Dec. 4 TOC)
- FWS lists Mississippi gopher frog as endangered (12/4, p. 62993-63002)
- FWS to prepare EIS on on Coyote Springs Investments MSHCP and
issuance of an ITP (12/4, p. 63065-6)
- The Hawk Creek Wildlife Center has been authorized, via permit number PRT-TE050080-0, by FWS's Region 5 to transfer and possess one specific female ocelot, Felis pardalis. (12/4, p. 63065)
- FWS, NPS "will discontinue all activities associated with developing an [EIS] for a proposed exchange of lands on South Fox Island, Leelanau
County, MI. "FWS and NPS have received a written request from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to permanently discontinue efforts on development of the EIS to analyze the proposed exchange of land ..." (12/4, p. 63066)
- NMFS says that since the 2001 fishing year Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category quota will be attained by Nov. 30, 2001, "the General category fishery will be closed effective 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2001. This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the total adjusted General category quota of 919.7 mt (12/4, p. 63002)
- NMFS says that the Atlantic bluefish commercial quota available to the State of New York has been harvested. (12/4, p. 63002-3)
- New England Fishery Management Council will hold a special 2-day council meeting on Dec. 19-20, 2001, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (12/4, p. 63012-3)
Monday, Dec. 3 (Dec. 3 TOC)
- FWS releases draft EIS on double-crested cormorant management (12/3, p. 60218-9)
- FWS releases EA/HCP, application for an ITP for the Temecula Ridge Apartments and Temecula Village Development Projects in Riverside County, Calif. (12/3, p. 60219-20)
- FWS releases draft recovery plan for coastal plants of the
Northern San Francisco Peninsula for review and comment (12/3, p. 60217-8)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (12/3, p. 60215-6)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (12/3, p. 60216-7)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (12/3, p. 60217)
- FWS issues permit to import polar bear from Canada (12/3, p. 60220)
- NMFS announces that the closed commercial fishery for red
snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico will
reopen. Reopening of the fishery is necessary because the 2001 annual
quota for red snapper has not been reached (12/3, p. 60161)
Friday, Nov. 30 (Nov. 30 TOC)
- FWS emergency lists the Columbia Basin distinct population segment of the pygmy rabbit (11/30, p. 59734-9)
- FWS proposes to list pygmy rabbit as endangered (11/30, p. 59769-71)
- FWS releases final revised Recovery Plan for the Oregon
Silverspot Butterfly (11/30, p. 59807)
- FWS publishes the priority list for the Multistate Conservation Grant Program submitted by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (11/30, p. 59807-9)
- Endangered species permit applications received by FWS (11/30, p. 59806-7)
- FWS receives marine mammal permit applications (11/30, p. 59809)
- NMFS Alaska Regional Administrator is authorizing an
exemption to the 3-nm, no-entry zone around Chirikof Island for the sole purpose of livestock removal by FWS (11/30, p. 59749-50)
- NMFS reopens the scoping and comment period for the EIS on the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (11/30, p. 59771-2)
- NMFS receives end. species research permit application (11/30, p. 59780)
- NMFS denies an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 376-1520-01, submitted by James H.W. Hain, Associated Scientists at Woods Hole, Box 721, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (11/30, p. )
- Doyle A. Hanan, Ph.D., P.O. Box 8914, Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067, has applied for a permit to take California sea lions for purposes of scientific research. (11/30, p. 59781)
- Funtime, Inc. d/b/a Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, 1060 North Aurora Road, Aurora, OH 44202, has applied for a permit to import two killer whales for the purposes of public display. (11/30, p. 59781-2)
Thursday, Nov. 29 (Nov. 29 TOC)
Wednesday, Nov. 28 (Nov. 28 TOC)
Tuesday, Nov. 27 (Nov. 27 TOC)
Monday, Nov. 26 (Nov. 26 TOC)
Friday, Nov. 23 (Nov. 23 TOC)
Wednesday, Nov. 21 (Nov. 21 TOC)
- FWS receives endangered species permit application to conduct research on fanshell in Indiana (11/21, p. 58513)
- FWS: More research applications submitted (11/21, p. 58513-4)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (tigers, leopards, sport-hunted bontebok) (11/21, p. 58514)
- FWS allows import of "one polar bear (Ursus maritimus) taken from the Lancaster Sound population, Canada, for personal use (11/21, p. 58514)
- NMFS closes commercial fishery for king mackerel in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico (11/21, p. 58410-1)
- NOAA amends regulations governing the anchoring and mooring of vessels in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (11/21, p. 58370-1)
- NOAA releases draft restoration plan and EA for the M/V Kuroshima Oil Spill, Summer Bay,
Unalaska, Alaska (11/21, p. 58439-40)
- NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center receives permit
to take Antarctic pinnipeds for purposes of scientific research. (11/21, p. 58445)
Tuesday, Nov. 20 (Nov. 20 TOC)
- FWS releases EA/HCP, receives application for an ITP from the Interagency Task Force proposing the Six Points Road Interchange and related development in Marion and Hendricks Counties, IN (11/20, p. 58159-60)
- FWS releases EA, receives ITP application for a city government facility, Deltona, Volusia County, Florida (11/20, p. 58157-9)
- NMFS announces that the scup commercial quota available in the
Winter II period to the coastal states from Maine to North Carolina has been harvested (11/20, p. 58073-4)
- NMFS announces that the period 2 spiny dogfish commercial
quota available to the coastal states from Maine through Florida has been harvested. Federally permitted commercial vessels may no longer land spiny dogfish for the duration of period 2 (through April 30, 2002) (11/20, p. 58074)
- NMFS announces that the 67-metric ton shrimp quota available
for harvest by the United States in Division 3L of the NAFO Regulatory
Area has been allocated (11/20, p. 58073)
- NMFS proposes specifications for the 2002 summer flounder,
scup, and black sea bass fisheries (11/20, p. 58097-105)
Monday, Nov. 19 (Nov. 19 TOC)
- FWS: Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Northeast Regional Panel to meet Nov. 26 and 27 (11/19, p. 57981-2)
- North American Wetlands Conservation Council to meet Dec. 2 in Wichita, Kansas (11/19, p. 57982)
- NMFS issues final rule updating regulations governing the
operation of Regional Fishery Management Councils under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) (11/19, p. 57885-8)
- NMFS extends public comment period to Dec. 31 for the purpose of receiving comments on the proposed rule (Oct. 2) to amend sea turtle regulations (11/19, p. 57930-1)
- NMFS issues marine mammal permit to LGL Limited, Environmental Research Associates, King City, Ontario, Canada (ringed seals, bearded seals, and spotted seals for purposes of scientific research) (11/19, p. 57939-40)
- NMFS issues marine mammal permit to Dr. Robert B. Griffin, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL (Atlantic spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins) (11/19, p. 57940)
Friday, Nov. 16 (Nov. 16 TOC)
Thursday, Nov. 15 (Nov. 15 TOC)
- FWS proposes designation of critical habitat for La Graciosa thistle,
Eriodictyon capitatum (Lompoc yerba santa), and Deinandra increscens
ssp. villosa [= Hemizonia increscens ssp. villosa] (Gaviota tarplant) (11/15, p. 57559-60)
- FWS proposes to designate CH for Santa Cruz tarplant (11/15, p. 57525-58)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (11/15, p. 57474)
- NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the northern Florida west coast
subzone. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel
resource. (11/15, p. 57396-7)
- NMFS adjusts the October-December subquota for the General
category Atlantic bluefin tuna (11/15, p. 57397-8)
- NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia has
transferred a total of 100,000 lb (45,372 kg) of commercial bluefish
quota to the State of New York for 2001 (11/15, p. 57398-9)
- NMFS proposes to amend regulations governing the Atlantic
highly migratory species fisheries to implement recommendations adopted at the 2000 meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (11/15, p. 57409-
13)
Wednesday, Nov. 14 (Nov. 14 TOC)
- FWS releases draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and EA for Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge, Monterey County, California (11/14, p. 57108-9)
- DOI extends deadline until Nov. 27 for nominations to Invasive Species Advisory Committee (11/14, p. 57107-8)
- NOAA releases EA/FONSI on approval of state plans from Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas under
the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (11/14, p. 57038)
- Dr. Patricia E. Mascarelli, Carribean Center for Marine Studies, Puerto Rico, has applied for a permit to take humpback whales for purposes of scientific research (11/14, p. 57040-1)
- NMFS receives applications for research on harbor seals (predation on Atlantic salmon) and bottlenose dolphins (11/14, p. 57041)
Tuesday, Nov. 13 (Nov. 13 TOC)
- FWS "corrects errors in the season dates and other pertinent information for the States of Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Vermont" in Sept. 28 notice "prescribing the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits for general waterfowl seasons and those early seasons for which states previously deferred selection." (11/13, p. 56780-1)
- FWS releases draft EA for federal agency participation in the June sucker recovery implementation program (11/13, p. 56840-1)
- NMFS extends emergency interim rule (published May 8, 2001, amended July 23) on fishing in the Atlantic deep-sea red crab from Nov. 14 for an additional 180 days to continue protection of red crab while permanent measures are being developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (11/13, p. 56781-2)
Friday, Nov. 9 (Nov. 9 TOC)
- FWS, FS: Federal Subsistence Board temporarily closes, makes changes to harvest limits to protect moose populations in Unit 22(B), (D), and (E), and to help the recovery of deer populations in Unit 8 (11/9, p. 56610-3)
- FWS releases Comprehensive Conservation Plan for North Platte
National Wildlife Refuge, Scottsbluff, NE (11/9, p. 56705-6)
- NMFS has modified permits given to the National Park Service and California Department of Fish and Game in order to authorize takes of ESA-listed fish for the
purpose of rescue, subject to certain conditions set forth therein (11/9, p. 56657-8)
- NMFS has evaluated the Tribal Resource Management Plan submitted by the Nez Perce Tribe pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon under the ESA (11/9, p. 56656-7)
- NOAA releases final damage assessment and restoration
plan/EA for ecological injuries and service losses--Alcoa Point Comfort/Lavaca Bay NPL Site, Point Comfort, Texas (11/9, p. 56649-50)
- NOAA releases final damage assessment and restoration plan/EA for recreational fishing service losses--Alcoa Point Comfort/Lavaca Bay NPL Site, Point Comfort, Texas (11/9, p. 56650-1) (see same link, above)
- NOAA releases draft restoration plan/EA for the Applied Environmental Services (Shore Realty) Superfund Site for public review (11/9, p. 56651-4
- NMFS is amending the notice for applications for ESA scientific research permits from EPA in Corvallis, Ore., and U.S. Forest Service in Corvallis, Ore. (11/9, p. 56658)
Thursday, Nov. 8 (Nov. 8 TOC)
- FWS proposes to designate critical habitat for Chlorogalum purpureum, a plant from the South Coast Ranges of California (11/8, p. 56508-31)
- FWS receives application for an ITP for the operation and management of a tourist and residential project, Palmas del Mar, Humacao, P.R. (hawksbill turtle, leatherback turtle) (11/8, p. 56564-6)
- FWS, Orange County will prepare a joint programmatic
EIR/EIS on the South Subregion Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan proposed by the county (11/8, p. 56566-7)
- NOAA begins joint review of management plans/regulations for the Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries. Draft EIS and management plans will be prepared; scoping meetings scheduled (11/8, p. 56540-1)
Wednesday, Nov. 7 (Nov. 7 TOC)
- FWS reopens until Dec. 7 the comment period on proposal to list showy stickseed as endangered (11/7, p. 56265-6)
- FWS adds New Jersey to proposal (published Oct. 12) to increase harvest of overabundant light goose populations (11/7, p. 56266)
- FWS reissues marine mammal permit (walrus) (11/7, p. 56334-5)
- FWS receives Wild Bird Conservation Act permit application. "The applicant wishes to establish a cooperative breeding program for black sparrowhawk, European sparrowhawk, African hawk-eagle, lanner falcon, saker falcon, and red headed falcon." (11/7, p. 56335)
- NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
announces intent to evaluate the performance of the Mississippi Coastal Management Program, and the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve, South Carolina (11/7, p. 56277-8)
Tuesday, Nov. 6 (Nov. 6 TOC)
- NMFS announces that 95 percent of the Atlantic herring total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to Management Area 1A (Area 1A) for the fishing year 2001 has been harvested. Therefore, federally permitted vessels may not fish for, catch, possess, transfer or land more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of Atlantic herring harvested from Area 1A per trip or calendar day for the remainder of the 2001 fishery (through Dec. 31) (11/6, p. 56041-2)
- NMFS adjusts 2001 specifications for the Atlantic herring
fishery by transferring 10,000 mt of U.S. at-sea processing to joint venture processing (11/6, p. 56039-40)
- NMFS says that less than 75 percent of the 6,252 mt haddock target total allowable catch will be harvested for the 2001 fishing year under the present landing limit, so the daily landing limit is being suspended until March 1, 2002 (11/6, p. 56040-1)
- NMFS announces that the 2001 yellowfin tuna quota has been
reached and a 15-percent incidental catch limit is now in effect for yellowfin tuna taken in the U.S. purse seine fishery in the Commission's Yellowfin Regulatory Area of the Inter-American
Tropical Tuna Commission through the remainder of 2001 (11/6, p. )
- NMFS corrects information provided in the proposed specifications for the 2002 Atlantic herring fishery published in the Federal Register Oct. 29 (11/6, p. 56052)
Monday, Nov. 5 (Nov. 5 TOC)
Friday, Nov. 2 (Nov. 2 TOC)
Thursday, Nov. 1 (Nov. 1 TOC)
Wednesday, Oct. 31 (Oct. 31 TOC)
Tuesday, Oct. 30 (Oct. 30 TOC)
- FWS issues updated list of candidate species (10/30, p. 54807-32)
- FWS, on behalf of the Department of the Interior, as a Natural Resource Trustee, releases draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (RP/EA) for the Charles George Landfill Superfund Site in Tyngsborough, Mass. (10/30, p. 54775-6)
- Georgia Power Company applies for an enhancement of survival permit to reintroduce the robust redhorse into a portion of the upper Ocmulgee River in central Georgia and conduct related research and monitoring activities (10/30, p. 54776-8)
- NMFS closes the commercial fishery for red snapper in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (10/30, p. 54723)
- NMFS suspends the minimum size limit of 4.75 inches (12.07 cm)
for Atlantic surf clams for the 2002 fishing year (10/30, p. 54723-4)
- NMFS announces closure of the recreational fishery for
rockfish and lingcod in Federal waters (3-200 nautical miles offshore)
south of 40 deg.10' N lat. and seaward of the 20-fathom (36.9-m) depth
contour off the coast of California from October 29 through December
31, 2001. (10/30, p. 54721-3)
- NMFS issues modification 2 to permit 1067 to the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) that authorizes takes of ESA-listed anadromous fish species for the purpose of scientific research and enhancement, subject to certain conditions
set forth therein (10/30, p. 54751)
Today's links: Thursday, October 25 (Oct. 25 Table of Contents)
Wednesday, October 24 (Oct. 24 TOC)
- FWS proposes to designate 74 acres in Humboldt County, Calif., as critical habitat for Thlaspi californicum (Kneeland Prairie penny-cress) (10/24, p. 53756-68)
- FWS receives scientific research permit applications (10/24, p. 53803-4)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (10/24, p. 53804)
- FWS issues permit to import polar bear from Canada (10/24, p. 53805)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish by vessels
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for directed
fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those
portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock (10/24, p. 53736-7)
- NMFS announces the 2001 quotas and associated purse seine
fishery conservation measures for the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
(ETP), consistent with recommendations by the Inter-American Tropical
Tuna Commission (IATTC) that have been approved by the Department of
State (DOS) under the terms of the Tuna Conventions Act (10/24, p. 53735-6)
- NMFS proposes quotas for the Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog,
and Maine mahogany ocean quahog fisheries for 2002 (10/24, p. 53770-2)
- NMFS releases final evaluation findings for the Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts and Texas Coastal Management Programs (10/24, p. 53782)
Tuesday, Oct. 23 (Oct. 23 TOC)
- FWS says revision of critical habitat for the Cape Sable Seaside sparrow is warranted. However, "[c]urrently, most of our listing budget must be directed to complying with numerous court orders, settlement agreements, litigation related activities, and due and overdue final listing determinations. We will proceed with a proposal to revise
critical habitat for the Cape Sable seaside sparrow as soon as feasible, considering our workload priorities and available funding." (10/23, p. 53573-5)
- NMFS denies petition for emergency rulemaking for the red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico that was filed with the Department of Commerce by the Texas Shrimp Association. TSA's petition asked for a reduction in the 2001 total allowable catch in the fishery and for a shortening of the associated recreational fishing season (10/23, p. 53579-83)
- NMFS announces initial specifications for the 2002 fishing
year for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB) (10/23, p. 53575-9)
- NMFS issues permit to John Wise, Ph.D., Yale University School of Medicine, 520-8034 to take marine mammal species of the orders Cetacea and Pinnipedia for purposes of scientific research (10/23, p. 53587)
Monday, Oct. 22 (Oct. 22 TOC)
Friday, Oct. 19 (Oct. 19 TOC)
Thursday, Oct. 18 (Oct. 18 TOC)
Wednesday, Oct. 17 (Oct. 17 TOC)
- FWS releases draft EA, annonces receipt of an application for an ITP for Pinery Glen, Douglas County, Colorado (Preble's meadow jumping mouse) (10/17, p. 527771)
- FWS releases revised draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and EA for the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Juneau and Wood counties, Wisc. (10/17, p. 52776)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the seasonal allowance of the pollock total allowable catch for Statistical Area 610 of the GOA (10/17, p. 52713-4)
- NMFS announces the aboriginal subsistence whaling quota for
bowhead whales, and other limitations deriving from regulations adopted at the 1997 Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) (10/17, p. 52712-3)
Tuesday, Oct. 16 (Oct. 16 TOC)
- FWS receives application to amend West Fork Timber Company's
incidental take permit for Western Washington to include Canada Lynx and bull trout (10/16, p. 52638-40)
- NMFS issues draft EA/FONSI on an application for an ITP from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for the take of ESA-listed adult and juvenile salmonids associated with otherwise lawful artificial propagation programs for non-listed species in the upper Columbia River and its tributaries in the state of Washington (10/16, p. 52567-9)
- NMFS has received a request to modify permit (1174) from Mr.
Harold Brundage III, of Environmental Research and Consulting (shortnose sturgeon) (10/16, p. 52593-4)
- Dan Tapster, BBC Natural History Unit, has been issued a permit to harass bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for purposes of commercial/educational photography (10/16, p. 52594)
- Scott D. Kraus, Ph.D., Edgerton Research Laboratory, New England Aquarium, has applied for a permit to take North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) for purposes of scientific research (10/16, p. 52594-5)
Monday, Oct. 15 (Oct. 15 TOC)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval (permit allowing economic privileges such as farming, commercial filming on wildlife refuges) (10/15, p. 52444-5)
- FWS releases EA/HCP for issuance of an ESA Sec. 10 permit for incidental take of the bald eagle during continued development of the East Lake Area,
The Woodlands, Montgomery County, TX (10/15, p. 52445-6)
- FWS will not prepare an EIS for the proposed Oregon State
project, ``Restoration of the Diamond Lake Recreational Fishery.'' (10/15, p. 52446)
- FWS releases EA, receives application for an ITP for the Redhawk Communities, Inc. Development in Riverside County, CA (10/15, p. 52446-7)
- NMFS corrects sea turtle conservation rule of March 23, 1999 (10/15, p. 52362)
- The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will
hold a meeting of its Snapper Grouper Committee, a joint meeting of its Executive and Finance Committees, and a public scoping meeting in Charleston, SC (10/15, p. 52370)
Friday, Oct. 12 (Oct. 12 TOC)
- FWS rule would authorize new methods of take for light goose
hunting. (10/12, p. 52077-90)
- FWS proposes to revise list of migratory birds (10/12, p. 52281-300)
- FWS schedules meetings on draft EIS on light goose management (10/12, p. 52147-8)
- NMFS makes inseason adjustments to the 2001 annual management measures for the ocean salmon fishery; request for comments. (10/12, p. 52062-4)
- NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 54 to the
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands Area and Amendment 54 to the FMP for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (10/12, p. 52090-3)
- National Ocean Service (NOS), in cooperation with California State Parks, has completed a joint draft EIS/EIR addressing the potential effects on the human and natural environment that may result from construction of sedimentation, flood control and other facilities within and adjacent to Goat Canyon, and the elevation and/or realignment of
Monument Road through Border Field State Park lands. (10/12, p. 52112-3)
Thursday, Oct. 11 (Oct. 11 TOC)
- FWS proposes to change the regulatory alternatives for the 2001-02
duck hunting seasons for States in the Lower Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) of the Mississippi Flyway to allow for a season length of 60 days beginning no earlier than Sept. 29 and ending no later than Jan. 31 (10/11, p. 51919-21)
- FWS releases Comprehensive Conservation Plan and FONSI for Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges in Florida (10/11, p. 51966)
- Klamath River Basin Fisheries Task Force "to meet" Oct. 10 and 11 in Yreka, Calif. If you hurry, you might make today's meeting. (10/11, p. 51967-8)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (10/11, p. 51966-7)
- FWS issues permit to Gilbert E. Orr to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) taken from the Lancaster Sound population, Canada for personal use (10/11, p. 51967)
- FWS: Klamath Fishery Management Council to meet Oct. 17-18, Weaverville, Calif. (10/11, p. 51967)
- NMFS informs surf clam and ocean quahog allocation owners that
they will be required to purchase their fishing year 2002 cage tags from a vendor (10/11, p. 51929)
- NMFS: Peter L. Tyack, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 981-1578-01 (whales) (10/11, p. 51930)
Wednesday, Oct. 10 (Oct. 10 TOC)
Tuesday, Oct. 9 (Oct. 9 TOC)
- FWS lists scaleshell mussel as endangered (10/9, p. 51322-39)
- FWS issues "not warranted" finding for Bonneville cutthroat trout (10/9, p. 51362-6)
- FWS will ask OMB "to renew approval of the collection of information for the Conservation Order for the Reduction of Mid Continent Light Goose populations." (10/9, p. 51443-4)
- FWS to prepare CCP, comply w/ NEPA re: Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located in Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia and Gates and Camden Counties, North Carolina and the Nanesmond Refuge Unit located in Suffolk, Va. (10/9, p. 51444)
- FWS determines that designation of critical habitat is not prudent for the Rock Gnome Lichen (10/9, p. 51445-52)
- FWS releases draft implementation plan for falconry take of
nestling American Peregrine Falcons in the contiguous United States and Alaska (10/9, p. 51444-5)
- FWS is extending the period to prepare a draft EIS for the Swanson River Satellites Natural Gas project beyond the nine months prescribed in Title XI of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) (10/9, p. 51452)
- FWS: The Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Advisory Committee will conduct a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 pm in the Board Room in the Administration Building of the Columbia Basin College, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, Washington (10/9, p. 51452-3)
- National trustee agencies, led by NOAA, have formed the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program (MSRP) to plan and oversee the restoration of natural resources that have been injured by the release of hazardous substances, DDTs and PCBs, in the Southern
California Bight marine environment (10/9, p. 51391-4)
- NOAA releases final guidance for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) (10/9, p. 51396-400)
- Dr. Daniel P. Costa, Professor of Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Center for Ocean Health, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 87-1593 (California sea lions, four species of seals) (10/9, p. 51395-6)
Friday, Oct. 5 (Oct. 5 TOC)
- FWS says that polar bears "sport hunted in [the M'Clintock Channel population] after the 1999/2000 Canadian hunting season will no longer be eligible for import under the 1997 finding which approved this population for multiple harvest seasons." (10/5, p. 50843-51)
- FWS releases EA on "overabundant light goose population; management alternatives" (10/5, p. 51273-4)
- NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific
cod from vessels using trawl and jig gear to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI (10/5, p. 50858-9)
- NMFS announces changes to the following limited entry and
open access trip limits in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery (10/5, p. 50851-8)
- The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has submitted for Secretarial review Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the Coast of Alaska. The amendment is necessary to revise the
overfishing definitions for the salmon fishery authorized under the Salmon FMP (10/5, p. 51001-3)
- The New England Fishery Management Council announces
its intention to prepare an SEIS in accordance with Framework Adjustment 36 to the Northeast
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (10/5, p. 51000-1)
- NOAA proposes amendments to regulations on assessment of natural resource damages pursuant to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (10/5, p. 50919)
- NMFS issues endangered species permits to Preston Pate, of the State of North Carolina-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (1348) and permit 1325 to Mr. Rich Carpenter, of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (1325). (10/5, p. 51023)
Thursday, Oct. 4 (Oct. 4 TOC)
Wednesday, Oct. 3 (Oct. 3 TOC)
- FWS lists Ohlone tiger beetle as endangered (10/3, p. 50340-50)
- FWS proposes to list Rota bridled white-eye (a bird) as endangered (10/3, p. 50383-90)
- Paramount Farming Company applies for enhancement of survival permit. Permit application includes a proposed Safe Harbor agreement between the applicant and FWS. "The agreement allows for management and conservation of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox on 1,668 acres of private land, owned by [Paramount], between the Lost Hills oil field and the California Aqueduct, in western Kern County." The permit would be for three years. (10/3, p. 50444-5)
- NMFS is closing the waters of Pamlico Sound, North Carolina,
to fishing with gillnets with a mesh size larger than 4\1/4\ inch (10.8
cm) stretched mesh (``large-mesh gillnet''), from September 28, 2001
through December 15, 2001, to protect migrating sea turtles (10/3, p. 50350-4)
- NMFS Advance notice of proposed rulemaking. The service is preparing regulations to implement a Seasonal Area Management program to seasonally limit fishing operations in certain areas, which was identified as a measure under the RPA contained in the Biological Opinions (BOs) prepared for the federal Northeast multispecies, monkfish, spiny dogfish, and American lobster fisheries (10/3, p. 50390-4)
- NMFS issues Navy Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of pinnipeds by harassment incidental to the demolition and removal of buildings located at the entrance of Mugu Lagoon in Point Mugu, California (10/3, p. 50416-9)
Tuesday, Oct. 2 (Oct. 2 TOC)
Monday, Oct. 1 (Oct. 1 TOC)
Friday, Sept. 28 (Sept. 28 TOC)
- FWS issues positive 90-day finding on Kootenai River burbot (9/28, p. 49608-11)
- FWS lists two perennial herbs as endangered--Astragalus holmgreniorum (Holmgren milk-vetch) and Astragalus ampullarioides (Shivwits milk-vetch) (9/28, p. 49560-7)
- FWS final rule prescribes special late-season migratory bird
hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands and ceded lands (9/28, p. 49773-81)
- FWS final rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and
daily bag and possession limits for general waterfowl seasons and those early seasons for which states previously deferred selection. (9/28, p. 49747-92)
- NOAA is extending by 15 days the comment period on the draft report ``Fair Market Value for a Submarine Cable Permit in National Marine Sanctuaries,'' published on August 17, 2001, 66 FR 43135. (9/28, p. 49576)
- NOAA, EPA release EA/FONSIs on approval of coastal nonpoint pollution control programs for Georgia, Texas and Ohio (9/28, p. 49643)
- National Park Service is implementing the Glacier Bay National Park Commercial Fisheries Compensation Plan.
Today's links: Friday, Sept. 21 (Sept. 21 Table of Contents)
Thursday, Sept. 20 (Sept. 20 TOC)
- FWS receives endangered species scientific research permit applications (9/20, p. 48477)
- FWS issues leters of authorization to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas industry activities (9/20, p. 48477-8)
- Forest Service proposes to issue an interim directive to guide its employees in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for issuance of a special use authorization involving administrative changes where no changes are proposed in authorized activities or
facilities (9/20, p. 48412-6)
- NMFS corrects July 17, 2001, emergency interim rule and its Aug. 22 correction by correcting Steller sea lion protection areas for the Pacific cod directed fishery, to clarify closure areas to Tables 22, 23, and 24 to part 679 and by correcting the corresponding regulatory text to be consistent with the changes to the tables (9/20, p. 48371-80)
- NMFS has determined that the Indian tribal fishery will be
unable to harvest 10,000 metric tons (mt) of their 2001 Pacific whiting
(whiting) allocation. Therefore, NMFS announces the reapportionment of surplus whiting from the tribal allocation to the catcher/processor, mothership, and shore-based sectors (9/20, p. 48370-1)
- NMFS to prepare EIS for the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) King and Tanner Crabs (FMP) (9/20, p. 48410-1)
- NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
will evaluate the performance of the Hawaii Coastal Management Program, the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, New Hampshire, the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Puerto Rico, and the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin
National Estuarine Research Reserve, South Carolina (9/20, p. 48425-6)
- NOAA has prepared a draft EIS to assess the impacts associated with the approval of the Indian Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP); public hearing scheduled (9/20, p. 48426)
Wednesday, Sept. 19 (Sept. 19 TOC)
Tuesday, Sept. 18 (Sept. 18 TOC)
Monday, Sept. 17 (Sept. 17 TOC)
- NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator closes specific areas within Northeast multispecies fishery in order to protect Gulf of Maine cod resources (9/17, p. 48011-2)
- NMFS proposes to amend the regulations that implement
Amendment 12 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) to change the date of the Year-4 default management measures for
small-mesh multispecies (silver hake (whiting), red hake and offshore
hake), from May 1, 2002, to May 1, 2003 (9/17, p. 48020-4)
- NMFS receives application for a scientific research permit from
Dr. Frank A. Chapman, of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida (shortnose sturgeon) (9/17, p. 48031-2)
Friday, Sept. 14 (Sept. 14 TOC)
Thursday, Sept. 13 (Sept. 13 TOC)
Wednesday, Sept. 12 (Sept. 12 TOC)
- Wetlands: Corps extends comment period until Oct. 29 on draft programmatic EIS for the Nationwide Permit Program (9/12, p. 47457-8)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (9/12, p. 47499)
- FWS, NMFS: Application submitted by Geo-Marine Inc. of Plano, TX, for a permit to take all marine mammal species (Cetacea, Pinnipedia, and Sirenia) and sea turtle species occurring in waters of Puerto Rico for purposes of scientific research has been returned to Venoco because the conpany "failed to respond within 60 days to reviewer comments..." (9/12, p. 47455-6)
- NMFS prohibits trawling in Steller sea lion protection areas in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). "This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the B season critical habitat limit of the 2001 total
allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel allocated to the Central Aleutian District." (9/12, p. 47418)
- NMFS final rule clarifies definition of length overall (LOA) of a vessel for the purposes of the regulations governing the groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic zone off Alaska (9/12, p. 47416-7)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the pollock
total allowable catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 610 of the GOA (9/12, p. 47417-8)
- NMFS publishes corrected adjustments to the 2001 commercial
quotas for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. (9/12, p. 47413-6)
- Oregon DFW submits Fisheries Management and Evaluation Plan (FMEP) pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Lower Columbia River (LCR) chum salmon under the ESA (9/12, p. 47452)
- NMFS asks for information on Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon DPS as part of development of recovery plan (9/12, p. 47452-3)
- (9/12, p. )
- NMFS requests comments on its proposal "to authorize Venoco
Inc. to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) from Nov. 1, 2001, through Nov. 1, 2002 (9/12, p. 47453-5)
Tuesday, Sept. 11 (Sept. 11 TOC)
- No FWS or NMFS notices today
Today's links: Monday, Sept. 10 (Sept. 10 Table of Contents)
- FWS will prepare a status review and a revised 12-month finding for
the Wasatch Front population of the spotted frog (9/10, p. 47034-5)
- FWS announces draft recovery goals for Colorado River fishes: humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow (formerly named Colorado squawfish), and razorback sucker (9/10, p. 47033-4)
- FWS releases draft EA for the Mandalay Bank Protection Project (Demo) Terrebonne Parish, LA (9/10, p. 47035)
- NMFS prohibits directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock (9/10, p. 46967)
- NMFS modifies the limited retention regulation for the commercial fishery from Humbug Mt., OR, to the OR-CA border, suspending the possession and landing limit of 30 fish per day until further notice (9/10, p. 46966-7)
- NOAA prohibits operation of motorized personal watercraft within the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (9/10, p. 46942-51)
- NMFS will prepare supplemental EIS's in accordance with NEPA for the Essential Fish Habitat components of the monkfish, Atlantic herring, and Atlantic Salmon FMPs (9/10, p. 46979)
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, has been issued a permit to take harbor porpoise for purposes of scientific research. (9/10, p. 47015-6)
Friday, Sept. 7 (Sept. 7 TOC)
- FWS releases EA for a major amendment to San Diego County's subarea plan of the Multiple Species Conservation Program Plan, California (9/7, p. 46808-9)
- FWS to prepare EIR/S for the Western Riverside County, Calif., Multiple Species HCP (9/7, p. 46809-11)
- Wetlands enforcement: Proposed consent decree in U.S. v. Robert Desmond, Civ. No. 01-CV-11425-RGS (D. Mass.), requires payment of a civil penalty of $10,000, for filling waters of the U.S. in Taunton, Mass. "The Defendant is required to pay an additional penalty of $48,478.47, reflecting payments owed to the United States under [a previous Consent Agreement and Final Order], unless the Defendant proves to the satisfaction of the United States, within 90 days of entry of the Consent Decree, that he paid $12,500 to the United States on or before July 31, 1998." (9/7, p. 46811-2)
- Wetlands enforcement: Proposed Consent Decree includes fine of $100,000, requires "completion of site restoration activities, including the filling of ditches" (U.S. v. Mallory Creek Developers Inc., No. 7:01-CV-163-F1 (E.D.N.C.). Complaint concerns "unauthorized discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States at the Mallory Creek Developers Site located on the west side of State Highway 133, in Brunswick County, North Carolina." (9/7, p. 46812)
Thursday, Sept. 6 (Sept. 6 TOC)
- FWS designates 6,135 acres of land in Chelan County, Wash., as critical habitat for the plant Sidalcea oregana var. calva (Wenatchee Mountains checker-mallow) (9/6, p. 46536-48)
- FWS designates 11.2 river miles of the Kootenai River in Idaho as critical habitat for Kootenai River sturgeon (9/6, p. 46548-61)
- FWS proposes Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Butterfly as endangered, proposes critical habitat (9/6, p. 46575-95)
- FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval on Native Alaskans' taking of polar bears, sea otters, and Pacific walruses for subsistence or handcraft purposes (9/6, p. 46649-50)
- FWS receives petition to designate Alaska stock of sea otters as depleted (9/6, p. 46651)
- FWS receives endangered species permit applications (9/6, p. 46650-1)
- FWS releases final supplemental EIS for a sea lamprey control proposal in Lake Champlain (9/6, p. 46651-2)
- FWS issues permit to import polar bear for personal use (9/6, p. 46652)
Wednesday, Sept. 5 (Sept. 5 TOC)
- FWS corrects Figure 2 in June 6 proposed rule to designate CH for O`ahu `elepaio (9/5, p. 46428-30)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel with
gears other than jig in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2001 total
allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in these areas (9/5, p. 46404-5)
- NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels
using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the Southeast Outside District (9/5, p. 46404)
- NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT)
General category daily retention limit should be adjusted to two large medium or giant BFT per vessel (9/5, p. 46400-1)
- NMFS notifies eligible participants of the commercial fishery
for large coastal sharks (LCS) in the Western North Atlantic Ocean,
including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, which was scheduled
to be closed on August 31, 2001, at 11:30 p.m. local time, has been
extended to September 4, 2001, at 11:30 p.m. local time. (9/5, p. )
- NMFS adjusts the 2001 fishing year directed fishery and
incidental catch quotas for North Atlantic swordfish to account for
underharvest from the 1999 fishing year (9/5, p. 46401-2)
- NMFS announces a modification of the open periods and limited
retention regulation for the commercial fishery from the Queets River,
WA, to Cape Falcon, OR (9/5, p. 46403-4)
Tuesday, Sept. 4 (Sept. 4 TOC)
- FWS adds seven national wildlife refuges to the list of areas open for
hunting and/or sport fishing, along with pertinent refuge-specific regulations (9/4, p. 46345-63)
- FWS releases draft economic analysis, reopens public comment period on proposed CH designation for San Bernardino kangaroo rat (9/4, p. 46251-3)
- Company to pay $580,000 in fines, including $500,000 for natural
resources restoration projects compensating for injuries to wildlife and habitat, for 1998 oil spill off Oahu (U.S. v. Tesoro Hawaii Corp., 01-560 SOM LEK, D. Haw.) (9/4, p. 46287)
Friday, Aug. 31 (Aug. 31 TOC)
Thursday, Aug. 30 (Aug. 30 TOC)
Wednesday, Aug. 29 (Aug. 29 TOC)
- FWS prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits of mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves; band-tailed pigeons; rails; moorhens and gallinules; woodcock; common snipe; sandhill cranes; sea ducks; early (September) waterfowl seasons; migratory game birds in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico,
and the Virgin Islands; and some extended falconry seasons (8/29, p. 45729-47)
- Five public hearings set on establishing 16 additional manatee protection areas in Florida (8/29, p. 45662-3)
- FWS: Endangered species permit applications received (8/29, p. 45689-90)
- FWS to prepare an EIS on possible issuance of an ITP to the Salt River Project for the Roosevelt HCP (8/29, p. 45690-1)
- Polar bears can be imported under FWS marine mammal permits (8/29, p. 45691-2)
- NMFS is closing directed fishing for species in the rock sole/
flathead sole/"other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2001 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead sole/"other flatfish" fishery category (8/29, p. 45635-6)
- NMFS announces specific inseason actions for the West Coast ocean salmon fisheries (8/29, p. 45634-5)
Tuesday, Aug. 28 (Aug. 28 TOC)
- FWS proposes to establish the 2001-02 late-season hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds (8/28, p. 45517)
- FWS to resume review of all aspects of regulations pertaining to the release and harvest of captive-reared mallards (8/28, p. 45274-5)
- FWS has submitted a request to OMB to renew its approval of the collection of information for the Migratory Bird Harvest Surveys (8/28, p. 45320-2)
- FWS receives scientific research permit applications (8/28, p. 45322)
- Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Ballast Water and Shipping
Committee to meet Sept. 11 (8/28, p. 45323)
- Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Western Regional Panel to meet (8/28, p. 45322-3)
- NMFS: "The final rule to implement Framework Adjustment 1 for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Loligo squid, Illex squid, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, and bluefish fisheries published on Friday, August 10, 2001, contained errors in the preamble, amendatory instructions, and designation of a revised paragraph. This document
corrects the errors." (8/28, p. 45187)
Monday, Aug. 27 (Aug. 27 TOC)