This page is current through March 21. For more recent notices, go here. For NEPA notices, go here.

• 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)

• 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)
  • Go here for plan
  • Approved Recovery Plans page
• 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)
  • Go here for more (3/20, p. 13688)

• FWS lists as endangered the Sonoma County distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander (3/19, p. 13497-520)
• FWS, NMFS designate critical habitat for gulf sturgeon (Go to Table of Contents for PDF version w/ maps (3/19, p. 13369-495)
• New England Aquarium in Boston has been issued a permit to take harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) and ringed seals (Phoca hispida) for purposes of scientific research (3/19, p. 13281-2)

• 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)

• 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)
  • More here
• 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)
  • Salmon listings in Idaho, Oregon and Washington
• 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)

• 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)
  • Link to recent report claiming FWS vastly underestimated economic impact of proposed CH designation
• 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)

• 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)

• FWS receives application to import ring-tailed lemur (3/12, p. 11872)
• FWS issues letters of authorization to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas industry activities. (3/12, p. 11872-3)
• NMFS proposes to revise one of the eligibility criteria for obtaining a charter vessel/headboat permit under the moratorium established in 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 (3/12, p. 11794-9)
• NMFS NE Regional Administrator proposes to issue EFPs exempting four vessels from minimum mesh size requirements of the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank Regulated Mesh Areas and from the seasonal GOM Rolling Closure Areas II and III. The proposed experiment would test a separator panel designed to separate haddock from cod in the GOM and GB RMAs (3/12, p. 11793-4)

• 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)
  • More here
• 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)

• 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)

• NMFS issues final rule to seasonally close a portion of the waters located near Cape Sarichef in the Bering Sea subarea to directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using trawl, pot, or hook-and-line gear. (3/7, p. 11004-7)
• NMFS reduces the trip limit in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast subzone to 500 lb (227 kg) of king mackerel per day in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). (3/7, p. 11003-4)
• NMFS issues final rule to implement the 2003 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. 11181-11232)
• NMFS proposes regulations to implement Framework Adjustment 2 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan developed by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (3/7, p. 11023-30)
• NOAA to evaluate evaluate the performance of the Chesapeake Bay-Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Guam Coastal Zone Management Program. (3/7, p. 11066-7)

• NMFS to prepare EIS on issuing annual gray whale subsistence quotas to the Makah Indian Tribe for 2003-7 (3/6, p. 10703-4)

• FWS lists Columbia Basin DPS of pygmy rabbit as endangered (3/5, p. 10388-409)
• FWS releases SW willow flycatcher Recovery Plan (3/5, p. 10485)
  • More here

• 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)
  • EA is here
  • NMFS page
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Plan is here
• 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)

• 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)
  • CD is supposed to be here
• 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)
  • CD is here
• 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)

• FWS extends public comment period until April 25 on proposal to designate critical habitat for Arizona distinct population segment of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (2/25, p. 8730-1)
• 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 (2/25, p. 8726)
• NMFS issues proposed rule to implement measures contained in Framework Adjustment 37 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (2/25, p. 8731-6)
• NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator plans to issue an EFP that would allow one federally permitted lobster vessel to fish a maximum of six modified lobster traps to obtain live specimens of royal red shrimp for the purposes of study and cultivation (2/25, p. 8741-3)

• FWS reopens comment period for an application submitted by the Memphis (Tenn.) Zoo to import one male and one female captive born giant panda from the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, Shanghai Zoo and Beijing Zoo, China, for the purpose of scientific research and enhancement of the survival of the species (2/24, p. 8617)
• DOI requests comments on revised departmental strategic plan for fiscal 2003-2008 (2/24, p. 8616-7)
  • Go here for plan

• FWS reopens comment period until March 21 on proposed rule to list mountain plover (2/21, p. 8487)
• NMFS is amending the turtle excluder device (TED) regulations to enhance their effectiveness in reducing sea turtle mortality resulting from trawling in the southeastern United States (2/21, p. 8456-71)
  • More here
• NMFS makes positive preliminary determinations on summer flounder EFP and scup EFP (2/21, p. 8487-8)
• NMFS announces that annual harvest guidelines for the commercial lobster fishery in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) will not be issued for the year 2003. (2/21, p. 8490-1)
• NMFS issues exempted fishing permit for the North Carolina Aquariums. The EFP would authorize the applicant, with certain conditions, to collect up to 50 red porgy and up to 500 lb (0.23 mt) of coral/live rock each year for two years in federal waters off North Carolina for public display (2/21, p. 8491)
• FWS issues emergency marine mammal permit for stranded manatee in waters around Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands (2/21, p. 8518)

• FWS to prepare a CCP and EA for Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in Northwestern Minnesota. (2/20, p. 8303-4)
• 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 (2/20, p. 8154)
• NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish with non- pelagic trawl gear in the red king crab savings subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (2/20, p. 8153-4)

• 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)

• FWS, FS amend regulations governing subsistence use of wildlife in Alaska by clarifying how old a person must be to receive a Federal Subsistence Registration Permit or Federal Designated Harvester Permit and by removing the requirement that Regional Councils must have an odd number of members (direct final rule) (2/18, p. 7703-4)
  • Same regulations, proposed rule (2/18, p. 7703-4)
• NMFS is opening directed fishing for sablefish with fixed gear managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. (2/18, p. 7719)
• NMFS issues a proposed rule to open waters to Pacific cod pot fishing around Cape Barnabas and Caton Island located in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) (2/18, p. 7750-60)
• NMFS: The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils plan to jointly prepare, in cooperation with NMFS, an EIS to assess potential effects on the human environment of alternative measures for managing the spiny dogfish fishery pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (2/18, p. 7749-50)

• 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)
  • Report is supposed to be here somewhere
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• proposing to establish spring/summer migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska for the 2003 subsistence season (2/10, p. 6697-707)
• FWS says city and county of Denver, acting through its Board of Water Commissioners (Denver Water), has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service for an ITP authorizing the loss and modification of habitat associated with Denver Water's Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities and the incidental take of Preble's meadow jumping mouse (2/10, p. 6756-7)

• 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)

• FWS releases report, "Birds of Conservation Concern 2002." (2/6, p. 6179)
• NMFS announces final specifications for the 2003 Atlantic herring fishery (2/6, p. 6088-90)
• NMFS requests comments on its proposal to issue a small take authorization to the USCG to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions for 1 year (2/6, p. 6116-9)
• NOAA issues call for applications for representatives and alternates to the Northewestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve (2/6, p. 6115-6)

• FWS releases Draft Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for coal slurry spill in Lee County, Virginia (2/5, p. 5911-2)

• FWS releases final Recovery Plan for Holy Ghost Ipomopsis (a plant) (2/4, p. 5650)
  • Search here for document
• NMFS prohibits 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 (2/4, p. 5585-6)
• NOAA announces public hearing in Connecticut re: consistency appeal filed with the Department of Commerce by the Islander East Pipeline Company (2/4, p. 5620)

• NMFS issues permit to Idaho Department of Fish and Game (chinook, sockeye, steelhead) (2/3, p. 5275-6)
• NMFS issues permit to Charlotte Ambrose of NMFS' Protected Resources Division in Santa Rosa, Calif., authorizing take of ESA-listed anadromous fish species for research purposes, subject to certain conditions set forth therein. (2/3, p. 5275)

• FWS receives applications endangered species permit applications (1/31, p. 5037)
• 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. (1/31, p. 4965-6)
• FWS receives endangered species recovery permit applications (1/31, p. 5037-8)

• NMFS corrects Jan. 7 emergency rule for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery (1/30, p. 4719-24)
• NMFS proposes to designate the Southern Resident stock of killer whales as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1/30, p. 4747-50)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Press release re: consent decrees
• 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)
  • Documents are supposed to be here
• 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)
  • Finding, petition, more on swan here (finding may not be here yet, but will be eventually
• 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)

• FWS announces scoping meetings, plans to prepare EA for the proposed designation of an experimental population of Northern Aplomado Falcon (1/27, p. 3889-92)
• NMFS prohibits directed fishing for rock sole by catcher processors that are listed under the American Fisheries Act in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (1/27, p. 3824-5)
• NMFS prohibits directed fishing for Community Development Quota reserve amounts of shortraker/rougheye rockfish and northern rockfish in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (1/27, p. 3823-4)
• NMFS issues a regulation to implement Amendment 10 to the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which was submitted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) for review and approval by the Secretary of Commerce (1/27, p. 3819-23)
• NMFS releases a paper on issues and options for Amendment 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks. (1/27, p. 3853-4)

• FWS, NMFS, EPA release ANPRM on pesticide consultations (1/24, p. 3785-95)
• NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 72 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (Amendment 72) and Amendment 64 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (1/24, p. 3485-506)
• NMFS announces it has received a petition to designate a group of transient killer whales as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The group, identified as the AT1 group, inhabits Prince William Sound/Kenai Fjords, AK. (1/24, p. 3483-5)
• NOAA Federal Consistency Appeal. "The Islander East Pipeline Company has filed an administrative appeal with the Department of Commerce asking that the Secretary of Commerce override the State of Connecticut's objection to Islander East's proposed natural gas pipeline." (1/24, p. 3513-4)

• NMFS issues a proposed rule to seasonally prohibit directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using trawl, pot, or hook-and-line gear in waters located near Cape Sarichef in the Bering Sea subarea (1/23, p. 3225-8)

• 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)

• FWS extends comment period on ITP application for the Briargate Development, El Paso County, CO (Preble's jumping mouse) (1/21, p. 2792-3)
• NMFS receives marine mammal permit applications (1/21, p. 2751-3)

• 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)

• 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)

• CWA: Corps, EPA issue Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking re: "waters of the U.S." definition (1/15, p. 1991-8)
• FWS will conduct an open meeting on Jan. 23 to identify and discuss preliminary issues concerning the 2003-04 migratory bird hunting regulations. (1/15, p. 2070)
• FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (1/15, p. 2068-9)
• FWS receives endangered species application (1/15, p. 2069)
• FWS receives endangered species applications (1/15, p. 2069-70)
• FWS issues marine mammal permit (1/15, p. 2070)
• NMFS issues determination that the chase and intentional deployment on or encirclement of dolphins with purse seine nets is not having a significant adverse impact on depleted dolphin stocks in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (1/15, p. 2010-17)

• FWS submits 10 Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin (1/14, p. 1819-21)
• NMFS has received an application for a direct take permit (Permit 1412) from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (1/14, p. 1826-7)

• FWS publishes priority list submitted by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. This notice is required by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. Grants may be made from this priority list. (1/13, p. 1627-8)
• FWS, NMFS release guidance on evaluating the net benefit of projects that reduce hazardous fuels. "The guidance recommends that managers evaluate the net benefits of such projects during the consultation process conducted under [ESA] section 7. While reducing hazardous fuels may have short- or long-term adverse effects on some species, the long-term net benefit can be substantial and sustaining to the species." (1/13, p. 1629-30)
  • Go here for more
• FWS, NMFS release guidance on alternative approaches for streamlining section 7 consultation on hazardous fuels treatment projects (1/13, p. 1628-9)

• FWS approves shot formulated of 65% tungsten, 10.4% iron, 2.8% nickel, and 21.8% tin as nontoxic for hunting waterfowl and coots (1/10, p. 1388-92)
• NMFS corrects Dec. 6 final rule that extended the applicability date of the existing regulations for the interim North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program. (1/10, p. 1392-3)
• NMFS corrects date that was was published in Dec. 4 FR notice re: notification of U.S. quota allocations and an effort allocation (1/10, p. 1392)
• NMFS extends comment period till March 17 on proposed rule published Dec. 6, which would modify existing exempted fishing regulations for Atlantic highly migratory species (1/10, p. 1430-1)
• NMFS proposes changes for 2003 to the List of Fisheries (LOF) as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1/10, p. 1414-30)

• FWS designates CH for three of the 37 species known historically from the Hawaiian island of Lanai. (1/9, p. 1219-74)
• FWS extends comment period on manatee incidental take regulations (1/9, p. 1175-6)
• FWS releases draft pygmy-owl recovery plan for review and comment (1/9, p. )

• FWS releases EA re: addition of Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrots from a Sustainable Use Management Plan in Argentina to the Approved List of Non-Captive-Bred Birds Under the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (1/8, p. 1066-7)
• FWS: Klamath Fishery Management Council to meet April 6 (1/8, p. 1067-8)
• NMFS will conduct four public hearings to receive comments from fishery participants and other members of the public regarding proposed regulations to reduce dead discards of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) in the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery and emergency regulations in the Atlantic shark fisheries that implemented commercial quotas for 2003 and suspended the commercial minimum size limit (1/8, p. 1024-5)

• NMFS issues a final rule to amend regulations governing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (1/7, p. 715-20)
• NMFS final rule amends 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 enhance management programs for these species." (1/7, p. 711-5)
• NMFS announces the January through February 2003 management measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (1/7, p. 907-35)
• NMFS proposes rule to implement the 2003 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 (1/7, p. 936-89)

• NMFS proposes 2003 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. (1/6, p. 533-6)

• FWS withdraws proposed rule to list the flat-tailed horned lizard as threatened (1/3, p. 331-348)
• FWS releases final Sonora Tiger Salamander Recovery Plan (1/3, p. 386-7)
• Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take by the Leander Rehabilitation PUD (1/3, p. 387)

• 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)

• NMFS issues final quotas for the Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog, and Maine mahogany ocean quahog fisheries for 2003 (12/31, p. 79887-9)
• NMFS issues 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 (12/31, p. 79889-90)
• NMFS increases number of fisheries for which the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) registration is integrated with existing Federal fishery licensing and permitting programs. (12/31, p. 79905-6)
• NMFS to update status reviews for Snake River sockeye and Southern California steelhead ESUs (p. 79898-90)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Analysis is here
  • Analysis also is here (FWS site)
• 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)

• 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)

• FWS approves establishment of Cahaba River Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama. (12/23, p. 78238)
• FWS approves establishment of Red River National Wildlife Refuge, located along the Red River Waterway in Caddo, Bossier, Red River, Natchitoches, and De Soto Parishes, Louisiana (12/23, p. 78238)

• FWS releases draft EIS, CCP for the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge for review and comment; public meetings scheduled (12/20, p. 78009-11)
  • More information here
• NMFS makes preliminary determination re: EFP applications. EFPs would exempt vessels from minimum mesh size requirements of the Gulf of Maine Regulated Mesh Area (RMA), days-at-sea (DAS) requirements, and the restrictions of GOM Rolling Closure Areas IV and V. (12/20, p. 77957-8)

• NMFS issues Letter of Authorization to BP Exploration (Alaska) to take a small number of marine mammals incidental to the production of offshore oil and gas at the Northstar development in the Beaufort Sea (12/19, p. 77750-2)
• NMFS announces intent to issue Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) and Scientific Research Permits (SRPs) for the collection of Atlantic highly migratory species (12/19, p. 77752-3)

• 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)
  • More from FWS on critical habitat for Hawaiian and Pacific Islands species
• 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)

• 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. )

• DOI: Changes proposed to clarify who has standing in BLM land appeals and to allow BLM "wildfire management decisions" to remain effective even while being appealed. (12/16, p. 77011-5)
• FWS releases EA/HCP, receives incidental take permit application for "development and operation of a High Adventure Boy Scout Camp on the 4,848-Acre Griffith League Ranch, Bastrop County, TX" (Houston toad) (12/16, p. 77074-5)
• FWS receives ITP application to take pygmy-owls in connection with a proposed 103-acre residential development project (Skyranch) in Pima County, Arizona. (12/16, p. 77075-6)
• 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. (12/16, p. 76998-77001)

• 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. )

• 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)

• FWS releases final Recovery Plan for Gabbro Soil Plants of the Central Sierra Nevada Foothills (12/11, p. 76156-7)
• FWS receives endangered species permit applications (12/11, p. 76183-4)
• FWS receives endangered species and marine mammal permit applications (12/11, p. 76183)
• FWS approves application from Ikande L.V. Larkin, University of Florida, to amend a permit (PRT-038448) to conduct scientific research on captive-held and wild Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus) to study manatee reproductive physiology and indicators of stress. (12/11, p. 76184)

• 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)

• FWS releases final recovery plan for Bruneau hot springsnail (12/9, p. 72967)
  • Go here for plan, at some point
• NMFS suspends the minimum size limit of 4.75 inches for Atlantic surf clams for the 2003 fishing year (12/9, p. 72867-8)
• NMFS releases draft EA on the impacts of issuing a subsistence quota for bowhead whales to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission for the Years 2003 through 2007 (12/9, p. 72919-20)

• The Forest Service is proposing changes to the National Forest System Land and Resource Management Planning Rule adopted Nov. 9, 2000 (12/6, p. 72769-816)
• FWS announces a meeting "designed to foster partnerships to enhance public awareness of the importance of aquatic resources and the social and economic benefits of recreational fishing and boating in the United States. This meeting, sponsored by the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, is open to the public, and interested persons may make oral statements to the Council or may file written statements for consideration." (12/6, p. 72693)
• NMFS final rule extends through 2007 the applicability of the existing regulations for the interim North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (12/6, p. 72595-72617)

• 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. )
  • Analysis is here
• 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)

• FWS to hold public meeting to discuss the results of 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). (12/4, p. 72219-20)
• NMFS closes commercial fishery for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico (12/4, p. 72112)
• NMFS announces that fish quotas and an effort allocation are available for harvest by U.S. fishermen in the NAFO Regulatory Area (12/4, p. 72110-2)
• NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 13 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (12/4, p. 72131-4)
• NOAA reopens the period for the public to comment on the administrative appeal filed with the Department of Commerce by the Millennium Pipeline Company (12/4, p. 72149)
  • More here
• NMFS grants marine mammal permit amendment (12/4, p. 72149-50)

• 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)

• FWS reopens comment period on proposed listing of the population of dugong, Dugong dugon, in the Republic of Palau as endangered (12/2, p. 71529-30)
• NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (12/2, p. 71489)
• NMFS adjusts the October-December subquota for the coastwide General category Atlantic bluefin tuna (12/2, p. 71487-8)
• NMFS announces that the scup commercial quota available in the 2002 Winter II period (November - December) to the coastal states from Maine to North Carolina has been harvested (12/2, p. 71488-9)
• NOAA's Damage Assessment and Restoration Program announces new indirect cost rates on the recovery of indirect costs for its component organizations involved in natural resource damage assessment and restoration activities for fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (12/2, p. 71536-7)

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)
  • Go here for plan
• 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)

• 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)

• NMFS corrects Nov. 12 correction to final rule governing take of four threatened Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) of West Coast Salmonids (11/26, p. 70809)

• 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)

• FWS releases draft recovery plan for Fritillaria Gentneri (Gentner's fritillary) for Review and Comment (11/22, p. 70452-3)
• FWS receives endangered species recovery permit applications (11/22, p. 70451-2)
• J.L. Storedahl & Sons Inc. has submitted an application to FWS and NMFS for incidental take permits to take bull trout and other listed species in connection with gravel mining and reclamation activities on approximately 300 acres of Storedahl-owned lands located in Clark County, Washington. Draft EIS is available. (11/22, p. 70408-9)
• FWS receives ITP application, releases EA on HCP for the Briargate Development, El Paso County, Colorado. Thirty-year permit would authorize the incidental take of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse. (11/22, p. 70453-4)
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Great Lakes Panel Meeting scheduled for Dec. 10-11 (11/22, p. 70454)

• 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)
  • Economic analysis
  • More on vernal pool species, from FWS
• FWS releases draft economic analysis on proposed designation of critical habitat for nine Bexar County, Texas, invertebrates (11/21, p. 70203-4)
  • Analysis is here
• 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)

• NMFS issues this final rule to amend the regulations governing the Atlantic swordfish fishery to implement recommendations adopted at the 2000 meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (11/20, p. 70023-7)
• NMFS announces that the annual spiny dogfish commercial quota available to the coastal states from Maine through Florida for the fishing year, May 1, 2002 - April 30, 2003, has been harvested. (11/20, p. 70027-8)
• NMFS announces trip limit changes in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries for flatfish sub-limits in the exempted trawl fishery for California halibut and trip limit corrections for minor nearshore and widow rockfish in the limited entry trawl fisheries. (11/20, p. 70018-23)

• 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)
  • NMFS permits page
• 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)

• NMFS corrects Oct. 29 final rule to amend tier qualifications to include sablefish on EFP. It removes an amendatory instruction that was inadvertently published in the October 29, 2002 document. (11/18, p. )
• NMFS receives petition from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries to initiate rulemaking to amend the current Atlantic bluefin tuna allocation criteria and to create a winter time-period subquota. (11/18, p. 69502-3)
• NMFS' South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public hearing to address findings from the SAW/SARC (Stock Assessment Workshop/Stock Assessment Review Committee) process for the red porgy stock assessment (11/18, p. 69502)

• 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)

• FWS proposes rule that would allow incidental take of manatees during specified activities (11/14, p. 69077-69104)
• FWS: Notice of solicitation of applications for refuge big game guide permits in refuges in Alaska and extension of existing refuge permits (11/14, p. 69018)

• Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Advisory Committee to meet Dec. 3 and Jan. 7 (11/13, p. 68881)

• NMFS issues minor correction to Jan. 9, 2002, 4(d) rule for four salmonids (11/12, p. 68725)
• NMFS NE Regional Administrator makes positive preliminary determination re: EFP application to catch, retain, and dissect 200 sub-legal lobsters as part of an ongoing research project to both monitor the offshore lobster fishery and to determine the size at which offshore lobster reach reproductive maturity (11/12, p. 68556-8)

• FWS establishes 13 manatee protection areas in Florida (11/8, p. 68449-89)
• FWS seeks input, solicits comments on additional measures to protect the endangered Florida manatee (11/8, p. 68490-1)
• NMFS opens the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category New York Bight set-aside fishery (11/8, p. 68045-6)

• 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)

• FWS to hold public hearing Dec. 5 in Arlington, Va., on proposal to list beluga sturgeon (11/6, p. 67586)
• NMFS extends to April 30, 2003, the May 22 emergency interim rule temporarily amending the fishing mortality rate (F) criteria in the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to be consistent with the best scientific information available, and which implemented the management measures proposed in Framework 1 to the FMP. (11/6, p. 67568-71)

No notices Tuesday, Nov. 5

Monday, Nov. 4 (Nov. 4 Table of Contents from GPO)

• FWS extends till Dec. 22 the comment period on Natomas EIS/EIR on proposed HCP (11/4, p. 67209-10)
• FWS corrects final rule on "Late Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for Certain Migratory Game Birds" see TOC above for PDF version so you can see the maps, which are not in this HTML version (11/4, p. 67255-80)
• NMFS NE Regional Administrator proposes to issue an EFP that would allow two vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. The EFP would exempt two vessels from the days-at-sea (DAS) requirements, and the Gulf of Maine (GOM) Rolling Closure Area IV restrictions. (11/4, p. 67140-1)
• NMFS issued three-year ITP Aug. 30 to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries for the incidental take of ESA-listed adult and juvenile sea turtles associated with otherwise lawful commercial fall gill net fisheries for flounder operating in Pamlico Sound, NC. (11/4, p. 67150-1)

• FWS issues draft economic analysis for proposed CH designation for Baker's and Yellow Larkspur (11/1, p. 66599-600)
• FWS considers application from Eastern North Carolina Natural Gas for a right-of-way permit for the installation of a 12-inch outer-diameter natural gas pipeline across 8.5 acres of Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge in Bertie County, North Carolina. (11/1, p. 66657-8)
• NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery (11/1, p. 66575)
• Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 881-1443-05. (11/1, p. 66616)

• 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)

• 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."
  • Predators In Action web site
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• FWS designates critical habitat for two varieties of purple amole: purple amole and Camatta Canyon amole (10/24, p. 65413-45)

• FWS issues positive 90-day finding on petition to list the Cerulean warbler as threatened with critical habitat (10/23, p. 65083-6)
• NMFS closes directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (10/23, p. 65046-7)
• NOAA: Barnes Nursery Inc. has filed a notice of appeal asking that the Secretary of Commerce override the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' objection to the Barnes Nursery Inc. after-the-fact permit to maintain an excavated channel and berm system intended to store water for agricultural purposes (10/23, p. 65091-2)
• NMFS announces a public scoping meeting to determine issues for an SEIS for the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (10/23, p. 65092)

• 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)

• Thomas B. McCormick, Channel Islands Marine Resource Institute in California, has requested a modification to scientific research and enhancement Permit No. 1346 (white abalone). (10/21, p. 64603-4)

• 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)

• FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for the Star Cactus, located on one site on private land in Starr County, Texas (10/17, p. 64130)
  • Plan is here
• 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)

• FWS designates critical habitat for Santa Cruz Tarplant (10/16, p. 63967-64007)
• NMFS adjusts the October-December time-period subquota for the General category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery (10/16, p. 63854-5)

• 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)
  • Go here for plan
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Reports are here
• NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (10/9, p. 62910)

• 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)
  • More here
• 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)

• Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to meet Nov. 14 and 15 in Honolulu (10/7, p. 62493)
• FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (10/7, p. 62490-1)
• FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (10/7, p. 62491-2)
• FWS receives endangered species recovery permit applications (10/7, p. 62492-3)
• NMFS extends emergency rule that establishes the 2002 fishery specifications for Pacific whiting in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and state waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California as authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (10/7, p. 62401-2)

• 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)
  • Recovery plan is here
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Economic analysis is here
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• FWS reopens comment period until Nov. 25 on proposed rule to list Lepidium papilliferum (slickspot peppergrass) as endangered (9/25, p. 60206-7)
• National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Commission announces second meeting, Sept. 24 (yesterday) and Sept. 25--today. (9/25, p. 60251)
• FWS receives endangered species, marine mammal permits (9/25, p. 60249-50)
• FWS grants marine mammal permits (9/25, p. 60250-1)

• 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)
  • More here from NOAA's Damage Assessment and Restoration Program

• NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily retention limit should be adjusted in order to allow for maximum utilization of the General category September time- period subquota (9/23, p. 59477-8)
• NMFS is amending 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 (9/23, p. 59471-7)

• 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)
  • Presumably the analysis will be here at some point
• 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)

• 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. )

• 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)

• 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)

• NMFS issues a proposed rule to extend through 2007 the existing regulations for the interim North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program, which otherwise expires Dec. 31, 2002 (9/16, p. 58451-77)

• NMFS issues final rule allowing the transfer of incidental take permits and enhancement of survival permits associated with Safe Harbor Agreements with Assurances or Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances. (9/13, p. 57970-3)
• NMFS emergency rule sets new depth-based management measures that create a darkblotched rockfish conservation area (9/13, p. 57973-81)
• NMFS releases evaluation of Tribal Resource Management Plan submitted by the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Portland, OR, for tribal research and assessment activities pursuant to the protective regulations promulgated for Hood Canal summer-run chum salmon under the Endangered Species Act (9/13, p. 58020-1)
  • Evaluation is here
• NMFS issues endangered species permits to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and FWS (9/13, p. 58021-2)
• NMFS issues permit to take Atlantic bottlenose dolphins for purposes of scientific research. (9/13, p. 58023)

• FWS releases draft economic analysis, extends comment period to Oct. 15 on proposed designations of critical habitat for plants from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii (9/12, p. 57784-5)
  • EA will be posted here (scroll down)
• FWS extends to Oct. 2 comment period on proposed CH designation for Rio Grande silvery minnow (9/12, p. 57783-4)
• FWS releases final Recovery Plan for the California Red-Legged Frog (9/12, p. 57830-1)
  • Plan will be here
• NMFS makes adjustment to the 2002 commercial Atlantic bluefish quota for the State of New York. (9/12, p. 57758)
• NMFS amends two documents published in the Federal Register on Aug, 19, 2002. The first notice referenced the intent of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to prepare a draft supplemental EIS in association with proposed Amendment 13 to the Gulf Shrimp FMP. The second notice referenced the Gulf Council's intent to prepare a DSEIS in association with a draft amendment to the Reef Fish FMP to establish a red snapper rebuilding plan. (9/12, p. 57785-6)

• FWS designates critical habitat for the Northern Great Plains Breeding Population of the Piping Plover (9/11, p. 57637-717)
• FWS proposes to establish Nonessential Experimental Population of Black-footed Ferrets in South-central South Dakota (9/11, p. 57558-67)
• NMFS announces that the recreational selective fishery for marked hatchery coho salmon in the area from Cape Falcon, OR to Humbug Mountain, OR was closed at midnight on August 1, 2002 (9/11, p. 57534-5)

• 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)

• 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)
  • More here, including status review
• 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)

• 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)

• NMFS is opening the B season for Atka mackerel with gears other than jig in the Eastern Aleutian District (area 541) and the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) for 12 hours only (9/5, p. 56766-7)
• NMFS announces that the percentage of the tilefish annual total allowable landing (TAL) available to the Part-time category has been harvested. (9/5, p. 56765-6)
• NMFS will prepare EIS re: revisions to the federal lobster regulations, in response to the recommendations of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (9/5, p. 56800-4)

• FWS releases CCP and summary for Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, Contra Costa County, CA (9/4, p. 56578-9)
  • Go here for documents
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Recovery goals here
• 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)

• FWS removes Robbins' cinquefoil from endangered species list (8/27, p. 54968-75)
• FWS proposes designating critical habitat for nine Bexar County, Texas, invertebrates (8/27, p. 55063-99)
• FWS extends public comment period, schedules four public open houses for the Hanford Reach National Monument/Saddle Mountain NWR CCP and EIS (8/27, p. 55033)

• 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)

• 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)

• NOAA announces appeal of objection to consistency certification for an Army Corps of Engineers permit to build a catwalk and dock at West Hampton Dunes. (8/22, p. 54410)

• 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)

• 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)

• Gulf of Mexico FMC will prepare a draft SEIS to describe and analyze management alternatives associated with proposed Amendment 13 to the FMP for the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; scoping meetings scheduled (8/19, p. 53769-71)
• Jenifer A. Hurley, Ph.D., Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, receives permit to take California sea lions and harbor seals for purposes of scientific research. (8/19, p. 53780)
• Waikiki Aquarium has been issued an amendment to scientific research and enhancement Permit No. 455-1445-02 (Hawaiian monk seals) (8/19, p. 53780)

• FWS adopts regulations establishing procedures for implementing a spring/summer migratory bird subsistence harvest in Alaska (8/16, p. 53511-20)
• FWS proposes 2002-03 late-season hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds (8/16, p. 53689-713)
• FWS, NMFS release Simpson Resource Company Aquatic HCP/Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances and draft EIS, Del Norte and Humboldt counties, California (8/16, p. 53567-8)
  • More here, at some point

• 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)

• 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)

• NOAA, National Ocean Service: Estuarine Reserves Division extends waiting period till Aug. 26 for the final EIS/Management Plan for the proposed San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (8/13, p. 52709)

• FWS releases draft economic analysis on proposed designations of critical habitat for 51 plant species from the island of Molokai, Hawaii (8/12, p. 52419-20)
  • Analysis is here
• FWS to reintroduce two endangered and two threatened fishes in the Tellico River. Final rule (8/12, p. 52420-8)
• NOAA approves Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Management Program (8/12, p. 52454-5)

• 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)

• 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)
  • 2001 RMP is here

• FWS lists Carson Wandering Skipper as endangered (8/7, p. 51116-29)
• NMFS prohibits directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (8/7, p. 51129-30)
• NMFS bans retention of shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (8/7, p. 51130)
• NMFS final rule implements 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 (8/7, p. 51074-9)
• NOAA releases revised draft restoration plan and EA for the Applied Environmental Services (Shore Realty) Superfund Site for public review (8/7, p. 51231-4)
• NMFS releases 2001 harbor porpoise bycatch estimates (8/7, p. 51234)

• NMFS announces removal of the sablefish size limit south of 36 deg. N. latitude (lat.) for limited entry fixed gear and open access Pacific Coast groundfish fisherie (8/6, p. 50835-9)
• J. David Whitaker, South Carolina DNR, requests amendment to scientific research permit No. 1245 (sea turtles). (8/6, p. 50874-5)

• 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)
  • RP will be here at some point
• FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for the Illinois Cave Amphipod (Gammarus acherondytes) (8/5, p. 50688-9)
  • RP should be here soon
• FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for Great Lakes population of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) (8/5, p. 50687-8)
  • RP is here
• 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)

• FWS releases draft EIS for the Swanson River Satellites Natural Gas Exploration and Development Project (8/2, p. 50453-4)
  • Go here for more
• FWS plans to conduct restoration planning for natural nesources injured by the release of oil from the T/V Command, San Francisco, CA (8/2, p. 50454-5)
• NMFS announces that the closed commercial fishery for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico will reopen. (8/2, p. 50367-8)
• NMFS issues this final rule to implement recreational measures for the 2002 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries (8/2, p. 50368-73)

• 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)

• FWS proposes to list beluga sturgeon as endangered (7/31, p. 49657-665)
  • Positive 90-day and 12-month findings issued (6/20)
• NMFS (NOAA Fisheries) adjusts the 2002 Winter II commercial scup quota (7/31, p. 49621-2)
• The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold hearings to receive comments on its proposed Secretarial Amendment 2 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan to set greater amberjack Sustainable Fisheries Act targets and thresholds and to set a rebuilding plan. (7/31, p. 49665-6)

• 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)

• FWS proposes special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands for the 2002-03 migratory bird hunting season. (7/29, p. 49175-91)
• NMFS receives application for an incidental take permit from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (sea turtles) (7/29, p. 49009-10)
  • Permit is supposed to be here
• NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Delaware Coastal Management Program (7/29, p. 49008-9)

• 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)

• 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."
  • More on the hatchery listing policy from NMFS
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Navy Surtass LFA site

• 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)

• 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)
  • Go here for more
• 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)
  • Documents here
• 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)

• 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)

• FWS proposes to designate CH for Preble's meadow jumping mouse. "The proposed designation includes 19 habitat units totaling approximately 23,248 hectares (ha) (57,446 acres (ac)) found along 1,058.1 kilometers (km) (657.5 miles (mi)) of rivers and streams in the States of Colorado and Wyoming." (7/17, p. 47153-210)
• FWS reopens comment period on proposed listing of the Columbia Basin DPS of the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) as endangered (7/17, p. 46951)
• FWS proposes to establish 2002-03 early-season hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds (7/17, p. 47223-41)

• 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)
  • Analysis is supposed to be here
• 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)
  • Washington Post article: "Navy Cleared To Use a Sonar Despite Fears of Injuring Whales
  • Humane Society page on SURTASS LFA sonar
  • NRDC page
  • Navy SURTASS LFA site
• NOAA's Estuarine Reserves Division releases final EIS/Management Plan for the proposed San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. (7/16, p. 46637)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)
  • Consent decree
• 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)
  • Analysis is here
• 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)

• 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)

• FWS and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council "are currently entertaining proposals [of no more than $50K] that request match funding for wetland and wetland-associated upland conservation projects under the Small Grants program.... Between $1 and $2 million in Small Grants projects may be funded." (7/8, p. 45143-4)
• NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 (Zone 1) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (7/8, p. 45069-70)
• NOAA dismisses CZMA appeal by Collier Resources Company of an objection raised by state of Florida. Collier wanted to to conduct geophysical exploration of a portion of their mineral estate beneath the Big Cypress National Preserve. (7/8, p. 45095)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• FWS grants permit to take Indiana Bat "in the vicinity of Six Points Road and related development within Hendricks and Marion Counties pursuant to the terms of the Habitat Conservation Plan" proposed last year. (6/26, p. 43139)
  • It's all here. Thank you, FWS

• 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)

• 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)

• FWS, FS provide notice of the Federal Subsistence Board's in- seaon management actions to protect salmon escapement in the Yukon and Kuskokwim River drainages and in the Copper River, while still providing for a subsistence harvest opportunity (6/21, p. 42185-7)
• FWS issues supplemental proposed rule to remove the Douglas County Population of Columbian White-Tailed Deer from the list of T&E species; public hearing set for July 30 in Roseburg, Ore. (6/21, p. 42217-29)
• NMFS is increasing the number of fisheries for which the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) registration is integrated with existing state and federal fishery licensing and permitting programs (6/21, p. 42237-8)

• FWS issues positive 90-Day and 12-month findings for a petition to list the Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) as endangered throughout its range (6/20, p. 41918-20)
• FWS proposes to add seven refuges to the list of areas open for hunting and/or sport fishing activities and increase the activities available at eight other refuges, along with refuge-specific regulations for such activities, and amend certain regulations on other refuges that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for 2002-2003. (6/20, p. 41920-36)
• NMFS proposes regulations to implement the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan (FMP) developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (6/20, p. 41936-50)

• NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) (6/19, p. 41639)

• FWS proposes critical habitat designation for two larkspurs from coastal Northern California (6/18, p. 41367-92)
• CWA enforcement: DOJ announces proposed consent decree under CERCLA and the CWA (U.S. v. Mulberry Phosphates, Civ. No. 8-01-CV-692-T-23TGW, M.D. Fla.). Includes payment of just over $3.65 million to plan, implement, and oversee projects to restore oyster reef, estuarine wetlands and riverine habitat in the affected watershed to compensate for natural resource injuries caused by a phosphoric acid spill (6/18, p. 41448-9)

• NMFS is prohibiting the use of all pound net leaders measuring 12 inches (30.5 cm) and greater stretched mesh and all pound net leaders with stringers in the Virginia waters of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay effective immediately through June 30 and then from May 8 to June 30 each year (6/17, p. 41196-204)

• 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)

• FWS lists Chiricahua leopard frog as threatened; critical habitat designation "not prudent" (6/13, p. 40789-811)
• FWS proposes designation of critical habitat for Blackburn's sphinx moth (6/13, p. 40633-57)
• FWS publishes annnual Candidate Notice of Review (6/13, p. 40657-79)
• NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (6/13, p. 40621)
• NMFS issues negative 90-day finding on petition to delist Klamath basin coho salmon (6/13, p. 40679-80)
• NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 60 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Area. This action would prohibit the use of non-pelagic trawl gear in Cook Inlet (6/13, p. 40680-3)

• FWS to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and associated EIS for Hanford Reach National Monument/Saddle Mountain NWR (6/12, p. 40333-7)
• NMFS issues final rule implementing the reasonable and prudent alternative of March 29, 2001, Biological Opinion, intended to reduce interactions between endangered and threatened sea turtles and pelagic fishing gear and to mitigate the harmful effects of interactions that occur (6/12, p. 40232-8)
• The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene scoping meetings to receive comments on whether the council should begin developing an amendment to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan to extend the time period for the Madison/Swanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves (6/12, p. 40263)

• 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)

• FWS to prepare an EIS to evaluate the effects of authorizing the incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of Florida manatees (MMPA) (6/10, p. 39668-70)
• Nye County, Nevada, applies to FWS for permit to take threatened desert tortoise incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the development of 100 acres near the Lathrop Wells (6/10, p. 39737-9)
• NMFS announces closure of the 2002 mothership fishery for Pacific whiting (whiting) at 0500 local time (l.t.) June 6, 2002, because the allocation for the mothership sector is projected to be reached by that time (6/10, p. 39632-3)

• FWS asks for comments on eligibility criteria for Private Stewardship Grants Program, for which $10M has been appropriated this fiscal year. (6/7, p. 39419-23)
• FWS asks for comments on proposed Implementation Guidelines for Fiscal Year 2002 Landowner Incentive Program, which was funded at $40 million this year (p. 39414-9)
• NMFS to hold 11 public scoping meetings on petition to list Atlantic White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) (6/7, p. 39328-9)
• Raymond R. Carthy, Ph.D., Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 1299. (6/7, p. 39362)

• 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)

• NMFS publishes this interim final rule to amend the regulations governing the Northeast multispecies fishery to bring them into compliance with a Court Order (6/5, p. )
• NMFS issues permit modifications to take ESA-listed species for purposes of scientific research. (6/5, p. 38648-9)

• FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permit applications (6/4, p. 38516-7)
• Interior Dept. proposes to modify the 1983 Central Arizona Project (CAP) Water Allocation Decision to delete the mandatory effluent pooling provision (6/4, p. 38514-6 )
• NMFS issues positive 90-day finding on petition to reclassify the Northern and Florida Panhandle subpopulations of the loggerhead turtle as distinct population segment (6/4, p. 38459-61)

• 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)

• FWS releases final EIS for the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Boundary Revision (5/31, p. 38142-4)
  • Go here for the document
• NMFS: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will prepare a DSEIS to assess the impacts on the natural and human environment of the various managed fisheries related to the management measures proposed under the draft Comprehensive Amendment Addressing Sustainable Fishery Act (SFA) Definitions and Other Required Provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act in the Fishery Management Plans of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (5/31, p. 38060-1)
• NOAA submits ICR to OMB re: requirements for taking endangered or threatened species for research/enhancement purposes. (5/31, p. 38067-8)

• 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)

• 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)
  • View plan here
• 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)
  • Draft EA is here
• NMFS will prepare an SEIS for the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (5/29, p. 37393-5)

• 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)
  • Analysis available here
• FWS releases draft recovery plan for the threatened Alaska-breeding population of the Steller's eider (5/28, p. 36915)
  • Plan is available here
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• NMFS issues Incidental Harassment Authorization to take 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 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during May 2002. (5/21, p. 35793-9)

• 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 (5/20, p. 35448)
• NOAA "gives public notice of the applicability of the special use permit requirements of Section 310 of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to certain categories of activities conducted within the National Marine Sanctuary System. In addition, NOAA is seeking public comment on the subject of special use permits." (5/20, p. 35501-4)

• NMFS grants permit amendment to Dr. Terrie Williams, Department of Biology, U-C, Santa Cruz (California sea lions) (5/17, p. 35102)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• FWS releases draft Recovery Plan for five plants from Monterey County, California (5/13, p. 32003-4)

• FWS proposes to approve shot formulated with tungsten, iron, nickel, and tin as nontoxic for hunting waterfowl and coots (5/10, p. 31754-8)

• 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)

• 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)
  • CCP/EA is supposed to be here
• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

• NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP) (5/3, p. 22359-62)

• FWS submits to OMB "Information Collection In Support of Grant Programs Authorized by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989" (5/2, p. 22103-4)
• NMFS corrects Jan. 28 rule which revised certain recordkeeping and reporting (R&R) requirements for groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska. (5/2, p. 22008-18)
• NMFS corrects April 26 proposed rule on Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishing Vessel Permits; Charter Boat Operations (5/2, p. 22165)
• Dr. Terrie Williams, Department of Biology, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, has been issued a minor amendment to scientific research Permit No. 984-1587-00 (California sea lions) (5/2, p. 22052)

• 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)
  • Petition is here

• EPA seeks comments on proposed consent decree "that would establish a series of deadlines for [EPA] to begin consulting with the [FWS] and [NMFS] [on] certain pesticide uses and their potential effects" on listed plant and fish species. (4/30, p. )
  • More information here
• FWS submits ICR to OMB for approval. Title: Information Collection In Support of Grant Programs Authorized by the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000 (NMBCA). (4/30, p. 21268-9)
• NMFS: The New England Fishery Management Council has submitted the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan for Secretarial review and is requesting comments from the public. The FMP is intended to prevent overfishing and maintain fleet capacity appropriate to the resource abundance. (4/30, p. 21206-7)

• 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)

• NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator makes preliminary decision to issue EFPs that would allow two federally permitted fishing vessels to conduct fishing operations otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the Atlantic sea scallop and Northeast multispecies fisheries (4/26, p. 20715-6)
• NMFS announces temporary restrictions on lobster traps and anchored gillnet fishing gear in an area totaling approximately 1,100 square nautical miles (nm2) (2,038.5 km2) in April and 1,700 nm2 (3,150 km2) in May off Cape Ann, Mass., for 15 days. The purpose of this action is to provide immediate protection to an aggregation of North Atlantic right whales (right whales). (4/26, p. 20699-701)
• NMFS proposes to amend the consolidated regulations governing the Atlantic HMS fisheries (4/26, p. 20716-22)

• FWS receives permit application (Blairwood/Silver Oak) for incidental take of the golden-cheeked warbler (4/25, p. 20545)
• FWS receives endangered species/marine mammal permits (4/25, p. 20544-5)
• NMFS receives permit application, permit amendment request (marine mammals) (4/25, p. 20491)

• 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)

• FWS submits to OMB request for approval of Information Collection In Support of Grant Programs Authorized by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 (4/23, p. )
• FWS designates 33,295 acres in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California, as critical habitat for the San Bernardino kangaroo rat. (4/23, p. 19811-45)
• Wetlands: : The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing a proposed rule setting out certain categorical minimal effect exemptions (CMWs) under the wetland conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 (4/23, p. 19699-710)

• FWS revises notice of intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and associated EIS for the South San Diego Bay Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge and the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, San Diego County, CA. (4/22, p. 19583-4)

• NMFS is proposing to issue regulations 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 1 year (4/19, p. 19370-4)
• NMFS has renewed the affirmative finding for the Republic of Ecuador under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The renewal of Ecuador's affirmative finding allows for the continued importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (4/19, p. 19415-6)
• NMFS receives application for a scientific research permit from Ms. Tracey Mueller, of Mote Marine Laboratory (sea turtles). (4/19, p. 19416-7)
• NMFS has revised the Alaska, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Draft 2002 reports are available for public review and comment. (4/19, p. 19417-26)
  • Reports are here

• 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)

• 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)

• FWS proposes exemptions within the Barge Canal manatee protection area in Brevard County, Florida for specific activities "that will not result in take of manatees." (4/16, p. 18572-6)
• FWS issues permit for incidental take of Preble's meadow jumping mouse for the Pinery Glen Residential Development, Douglas County, CO (4/16, p. 18630-1)
• NMFS issues final rule with definitions, developed with the Council, for certain terms appearing in the criteria used to determine which western Pacific communities may participate in western Pacific community development programs and western Pacific demonstration projects (4/16, p. 18512-6)
• NMFS and the Pacific Fishery Management Council announce their intent to prepare an EIS for Amendment 16 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. This amendment will incorporate rebuilding plans for groundfish species that have been declared overfished by the Secretary of Commerce (4/16, p. 18576-7)

• FWS designates 171,605 acres in Riverside and San Diego counties as critical habitat for the Quino checkerspot butterfly (4/15, p. 18355-95)
• NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 67 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (4/15, p. 18129-40)
• NMFS issues emergency rule to establish final 2002 groundfish fishery specifications for Pacific whiting; announcement of overfished status of Pacific whiting (4/15, p. 18117-29)

• NMFS has received 11 new scientific research permit applications and six applications to modify existing scientific research permits related to Pacific salmon and steelhead (4/12, p. 17970-3)

• FWS is accepting proposals for funding under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program (4/11, p. 17711)
• DOI says it plans to add a new Department-wide Privacy Act system of records to its inventory of records systems (4/11, p. 17711-3)

• 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