Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) fisheries are managed under the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). This rulemaking will consider changes to the area-based and weak hook management measures for bluefin tuna in the pelagic longline fishery. NMFS implemented an individual bluefin tuna quota system for pelagic longline fishery participants in 2015. With this approach and its emphasis on individual vessel accountability, NMFS has determined some fleetwide measures may be redundant. This action would consider how to appropriately streamline regulations and increase flexibility to the Atlantic pelagic longline fishery while maintaining bycatch reduction and conservation and management obligations.
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.“
This framework action would modify the red snapper federal for-hire component’s annual catch target based on a reduction in the buffer from the component’s annual catch limit.
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The New England Council is interested in increasing monitoring in certain fisheries to assess the amount and type of catch and reduce variability around catch estimates. This amendment would implement a process to standardize future industry-funded monitoring programs in New England Council fishery management plans and industry-funded monitoring in the Atlantic herring fishery. This action would ensure consistency in industry-funded monitoring programs across fisheries and increase monitoring in the Atlantic herring fishery.
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Recreational and tribal steelhead, fall Chinook, and coho fisheries managed by the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and the Nez Perce, Shoshne-Bannock tribes, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and a resident trout fishery managed by the state of Oregon in the Snake River Basin.
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The purpose of this action is to align federal regulations for spiny lobster that apply to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Florida with Florida state regulations, re-establish the procedure for an enhanced cooperative management system, and update management measures to aid law enforcement. No potential significant impacts to protected species are expected as a result of this action.
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The purpose is to allow the use of three new sea turtle release gear types and establish a new length limit for a currently required gear to release incidentally hooked sea turtles and other protected species. Further, the purpose is to streamline the process for allowing federal commercial and charter vessel/headboat reef fish permit holders to use additional gear types and handling procedures for incidentally hooked sea turtles and other protected species after they are approved by the SEFSC.
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Request by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Allow the Incidental Take of Marine Mammals during Marine Geophysical Surveys by the R/V Marcus G. Langseth in the North Pacific Ocean, 2018/2019. Several of these species are listed as endangered under the ESA: the North Pacific right, sei, fin, blue, and sperm whales, the Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments (DPS) of humpback whale and gray whales, the Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS of false killer whale, the Western DPS of Steller sea lion, and the Hawaiian monk seal.
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This action sets harvest quotas and possession limits for the commercial and recreational blueline tilefish fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic (VA-ME) for 2019-2021.
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Marine Geophysical Survey (MATRIX)by the US Geological Survey in the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean, August 2018
Permit must be issued by August 20th
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The Washington Department of Wish and Wildlife and the Puget Sound Treaty Tribes are submitting a resource management plan (RMP) that is a 10-year framework for managing salmon and steelhead harvest in the Puget Sound area. The plan sets management measures around the Puget Sound Chinook ESU, which is listed as threatened in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The NMFS Federal Action is to determine whether the RMP meets the requirements of ESA.
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NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) intends to provide American Samoa Bottomfish Disaster Relief funds to the American Samoa Division of Marine and Wildlife Resources (AS-DMWR). AS-DMWR proposes to construct a small ice house at its harbor-side offices in Fagatogo, and a boat ramp near the inner southwest terminus of Pago Pago Harbor. NMFS is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate potential effects of these small infrastructure projects. We do not expect the projects to result in large negative environmental effects. AS-DMWR will coordinate the project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and with local reviewing agencies and the public through the American Samoa Project Notification and Review System.
Draft EA in June 2019.
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Environmental Assessment for Endangered Species Act Section 4(d) Determination on 15 Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery Operations in the Snake River Basin
The proposed action is NMFS’ Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 4(d) (Limit 5 or 6) determination that 15 salmon and steelhead hatchery operations on the Snake River will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of affected threatened ESUs. The action is likely to adversely affect ESA-listed salmonids in the Snake River Basin, but the effect is not likely to rise to the level of significance.
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The proposed action would implement recent decisions of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The rule would establish limits on fishing effort by U.S. purse seine fishing vessels, put in place restrictions regarding fish aggregating devices for U.S. purse seine fishing vessels, establish limits on catches of bigeye tuna by U.S. longline vessels, prohibit U.S. vessels used to fish for highly migratory species from transshipping catch in a particular area of high seas and remove certain reporting requirements applicable to such vessels in that area, and make administrative changes to existing regulations to correct outdated cross references. This action is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations under the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, to which it is a Contracting Party.
One of the elements of the proposed rule needs to go into effect by July 1, 2018.
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The Restoration Plan II evaluates 26 project alternatives, plus the no action alternative for each restoration type, and proposes 22 projects for funding. These project alternatives will: Help restore and benefit wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats; including some on federally managed lands, Improve water quality by reducing non-point source pollution to increase the overall health and productivity of these ecosystems, Help restore sea turtles, marine mammals, birds and oysters. The alternatives proposed for funding in the plan have a total estimated cost of $35million.
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The LA TIG identified 31 projects in the range of reasonable alternatives in addition to the No Action Alternative. These projects are intended to provide nutrient reduction benefits and address recreational use loss in the Louisiana Restoration Area. Nutrient reduction projects considered in this RP/EA would help restore and enhance the ecological and hydrological integrity of the state’s coastal watersheds by reducing rural nonpoint source pollution through the implementation of conservation practices (CPs) on agricultural lands. Projects restoring lost recreational use emphasize the creation and enhancement of recreational infrastructure, enhanced recreational access or opportunity, and educational and outreach components that promote use of the natural resources and encourage conservation and stewardship for them, consistent with the injuries caused by the DWH Oil Spill. The LA TIG is proposing 23 of these projects (four of eight nutrient reduction projects and 19 of 23 recreational use projects) as preferred alternatives for implementation.
There are no hard deadlines for this restoration plan. A Final RP/EA is anticipated in fall, 2018.
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Amendment 20 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (Squid Amendment)
This action reduces latent effort in the longfin squid fishery, reduces longfin squid incidental possession limits and possession limits following a quota closure during Trimester II, and allows an entity the opportunity to swap longfin squid moratorium permits among vessels it owns.
Some are concerned that this action does not adequately protect spawning squid and egg mops, or unnecessarily reduces longfin squid permits.
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sets recreational management measures for 2018
Trying to implement action on or around May 15, 2018
black sea bass measures may be contentious, depending on outcome from ASMFC proceedings/measures
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Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial Accountability Measure Framework
Action modifies current AMs to account for variability in discard estimates and status of the stocks
Implementation prior to Jan 1 2019
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Framework to Implement Wave 1 Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishery Letter of Authorization Program
This action would implement a letter of authorization program for a Jan/Feb recreational fishery for black sea bass.
this action is on hold while staff address other actions.
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Special Management Zone (SMZ) Designation for 13 Artificial Reef Sites
in the Exclusive Economic Zone
This action would:
• Establish year-round special management zones for all 13 New Jersey artificial reefs; and
• Allow only handline, rod and reel, or spear fishing (including the taking of fish by hand) in these areas.