NOAA NEPA Document Database (beta)
This beta version of the NOAA NEPA Document Database catalogs environmental assessments (EAs) and environmental impact statements (EISs) that NOAA is currently developing. The Database also includes some of the EAs or EISs NOAA has completed in the past, although information may be limited and contain errors. The Database does not track proposed actions that rely on categorical exclusions. The Database also does not capture information on proposed actions for which another Federal agency is the lead agency for NEPA or when NOAA adopts another Federal agency’s EA or EIS. Please send any questions or corrections to noaa.nepa@noaa.gov with the Subject line: “NOAA NEPA Document Database comment.“
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(1) Decrease the total annual catch limit from 1,780,000 pounds whole weight to 1,720,000 pounds whole weight.
(2) Set the commercial annual catch limit at 464,400 pounds whole weight and the commercial quota at 394,740 pounds whole weight.
(3) Set the recreational annual catch limit at 1,255,600 pounds whole weight and the recreational quota at 1,092,372 pounds whole weight.
(4) Increase the minimum recreational size limit from 30 inches fork length to 34 inches fork length.
(5) Reduce the commercial trip limit from 2,000 pounds whole weight to 1,500 pounds gutted weight.
Based on the environmental impact analysis within the EA, it has been determined that no significant environmental impacts will result from the proposed action. The proposed action will not change the manner in which the fishery is prosecuted and there is no new information that suggests impacts to listed species or critical habitat not previously identified.
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Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Dock Replacement Project
NMFS has received a request from UniSea, Inc., for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities as part of a dock construction project at a commercial fish processing facility in Unalaska, Alaska. The use of vibratory and impact pile driving is expected to produce underwater sound at levels that have the potential to result in behavioral harassment of marine mammals. Species with the expected potential to be present during all or a portion of the in-water work window include the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina).
The applicant expects to receive this Incidental Harassment Authorization by January 15, 2016.
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Framework Adjustment 4 proposes management measures to further enhance catch monitoring and address slippage in the Atlantic herring fishery.
If implemented, Framework 4 would establish the following measures for limited access herring vessels: 1) An independent catch verification program, 2) a requirement that fish holds be empty of fish before leaving the dock, 3) slippage consequence measures, and 4) a requirement that slippage events be reported via the vessel monitoring system daily catch report. Slippage consequence measures would require Category A and B herring vessels to move 15 miles following an allowable slippage event (due to safety, mechanical failure, or excess catch of spiny dogfish) and terminate a fishing trip and return to port following a non-allowable slippage event (due to any other reason than described above).
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NMFS proposes to specify an annual catch limit (ACL) of 326,000 lb of Deep 7 bottomfish in the main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) for the fishing year September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016. NMFS would monitor Deep 7 bottomfish catches from commercial fishermen. When NMFS projects that the fishery will reach the ACL, NMFS would close the commercial and non-commercial fisheries for MHI Deep 7 bottomfish for the remainder of the fishing year as an accountability measure (AM). The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended the ACL and AM. The proposed rule would specify an ACL for fishing year 2015-16. The EA will describe a range of potential ACLs for fishing years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18, because the Council recommended a phased-in approach for implementing the ACL over three years. The EA will describe the fishery and potential impacts of the proposed action on the environment, including, but not limited to, target, non-target, protected resources, and the fishing community. NMFS does not expect the proposed ACL and AM specifications to result in a change to the fishery that would result in large adverse environmental impacts. NMFS will consider public comments on the proposed ACL and AM and on the draft EA.
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This action specifies catch limits for Atlantic mackerel for 2016-2018, modifies gear regulations in the buttefish fishery, and suspends the Pre-Trip Notification System requirement for the longfin squid fishery.
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Amendment 110 (BSAI) This Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review analyzes proposed management measures that apply exclusively to the directed pollock fishery in the Bering Sea. The purpose of this action is to address prohibited species catch (PSC) of Chinook and chum salmon in the Bering Sea pollock fishery. The measures include modified chum salmon management within existing industry incentive programs, modified season lengths for the summer fishery, and modifications to the PSC limit and/or performance standard threshold implemented in the existing Chinook salmon bycatch management program.
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Amendment 109 (BSAI) The proposed action would to support increased participation in the groundfish Community Development Quota fisheries (primarily Pacific cod) by catcher vessels less than or equal to 46 feet length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear by (1) removing the requirement for operators of catcher vessels greater than 32 ft LOA and less than or equal to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-line gear to obtain and carry a License Limitation Program (LLP) license and requiring registration of these vessels with NMFS; (2) reducing observer coverage requirements, and (4) implementing new catch accounting procedures to properly account for the harvest of groundfish and halibut and the accrual of halibut prohibited species catch by these small vessels. The proposed action would benefit the six CDQ groups and the owners of small catcher vessels by reducing the costs of participating in the groundfish and halibut CDQ fisheries. No significant impacts on the human environment are expected.