Notice2021-16711
Notice for Comment on Two Strategic Plans for the Subcommittee on Aquaculture Science Planning and Regulatory Efficiency Task Forces and on Updating the National Aquaculture Development Plan
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Published
August 5, 2021
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Research Service
Abstract
The Subcommittee on Aquaculture (SCA) is a statutory subcommittee that operates under the Committee on Environment of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) under the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President [National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-362. 94 Stat. 1198, 16 U.S.C. 2801, et seq.) and the National Aquaculture Improvement Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1641)]. In October 2018, the SCA established a Science Planning Task Force charged with documenting Federal science and technology opportunities and priorities for aquaculture by revising and updating the National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research (2014-2019). Similarly, in February 2019, the SCA established a Regulatory Efficiency Task Force charged with developing a new plan for interagency science and technology coordination to improve regulatory efficiency, research and technology development, and economic growth. The Task Forces are seeking public comment on Science and Regulatory Efficiency strategic plans to determine if their respective topics are adequately covered. In addition, in May of 2020, the SCA established an Economic Development Task Force charged with developing a strategic plan for economic development through aquaculture. Separately from SCA, the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 requires select federal agencies to develop a National Aquaculture Development Plan (NADP). Last completed in 1983, the NADP describes aquaculture associated technologies, problems, and opportunities in the United States and its territories. It recommends actions to solve problems and analyzes the social, environmental, and economic impacts of growth in aquaculture. The SCA plans to update the NADP using the Science and Regulatory Efficiency plans described here, with the addition of the Economic Development plan currently in process.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 148 (Thursday, August 5, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 148 (Thursday, August 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42776-42777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16711]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Notice for Comment on Two Strategic Plans for the Subcommittee on
Aquaculture Science Planning and Regulatory Efficiency Task Forces and
on Updating the National Aquaculture Development Plan
AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Subcommittee on Aquaculture (SCA) is a statutory
subcommittee that operates under the Committee on Environment of the
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) under the Office of
Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President
[National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-362. 94 Stat. 1198, 16
U.S.C. 2801, et seq.) and the National Aquaculture Improvement Act of
1985 (Pub. L. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1641)]. In October 2018, the SCA
established a Science Planning Task Force charged with documenting
Federal science and technology opportunities and priorities for
aquaculture by revising and updating the National Strategic Plan for
Federal Aquaculture Research (2014-2019). Similarly, in February 2019,
the SCA established a Regulatory Efficiency Task Force charged with
developing a new plan for interagency science and technology
coordination to improve regulatory efficiency, research and technology
development, and economic growth. The Task Forces are seeking public
comment on Science and Regulatory Efficiency strategic plans to
determine if their respective topics are adequately covered. In
addition, in May of 2020, the SCA established an Economic Development
Task Force charged with developing a strategic plan for economic
development through aquaculture. Separately from SCA, the National
Aquaculture Act of 1980 requires select federal agencies to develop a
National Aquaculture Development Plan (NADP). Last completed in 1983,
the NADP describes aquaculture associated technologies, problems, and
opportunities in the United States and its territories. It recommends
actions to solve problems and analyzes the social, environmental, and
economic impacts of growth in aquaculture. The SCA plans to update the
NADP using the Science and Regulatory Efficiency plans described here,
with the addition of the Economic Development plan currently in
process.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 10th, 2021 to be assured
of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning the Science Plan to Task
Force Chair Dr. Caird Rexroad, National Program Leader for Aquaculture,
Agricultural Research Service, Office of National Programs, 5601
Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4-2106, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. Submit
electronic comments to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87c6f6f2e6d4e4eee2e9e4e2d7ebe6e9c7f2f4e3e6a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2869595d497b4b414d464b4d78444946685d5b4c49064f475e">[email protected]</span></a>. Address all comments
concerning the Regulatory Efficiency
[[Page 42777]]
Plan and the National Aquaculture Development Plan to Task Force Chair
Kristine Cherry, Chief, Regulatory and Policy Branch at NOAA Fisheries
Office of Aquaculture, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315
East-West Highway, Room 14461, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282. Submit
electronic comments to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8b9898d99d6aa9d9fa8949996b896979999d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3f2c2c6d29de1d6d4e3dfd2ddf3dddcd2d29dd4dcc5">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Program Leader, Agricultural
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Caird Rexroad,
Voice: (304) 620-5234, Fax: 301-504-4873, Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c784a6aeb5a3e995a2bfb5a8a6a38e8e8e87b2b4a3a6e9a0a8b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4a7858d9680cab6819c968b8580adadada491978085ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Type of Request: Seeking comments on the National Strategic Plan
for Aquaculture Research (2021-2025) and the Strategic Plan to Improve
Aquaculture Regulatory Efficiency to determine if national aquaculture
science and technology priorities and opportunities to improve
regulatory efficiencies are adequately represented.
Abstract: The Subcommittee on Aquaculture (SCA) is a statutory
subcommittee that operates under the Committee on Environment of the
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) under the Office of
Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President
[National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-362. 94 Stat. 1198, 16
U.S.C. 2801, et seq.) and the National Aquaculture Improvement Act of
1985 (Pub. L. 99-198, 99 Stat. 1641)]. In October 2018, the SCA
established a Science Planning Task Force charged with documenting
Federal science and technology opportunities and priorities for
aquaculture by revising and updating the National Strategic Plan for
Federal Aquaculture Research (2014-2019). This Task Force included
federal employees from the Department of Agriculture, Department of
Commerce, Agency for International Development, Department of Health
and Human Services, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy,
the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Science
Foundation. The Plan was drafted with the following goals:
Goal 1. Develop Economic Growth through Aquaculture;
Goal 2. Improve Aquaculture Production Technologies and Inform
Decision Making; and
Goal 3. Uphold Animal Well-Being, Product Safety and Nutritional
Value.
The National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research (2014-
2019) was developed to serve as a roadmap for implementing targeted
strategic goals to advance domestic aquaculture by describing ways that
government can help advance and expand domestic interests in
aquaculture, and therefore, providing greater economic and recreational
opportunities in the United States. The plan identified Federal
resources in research and extension, the need for the best research to
inform public policy and regulatory decisions, and the need for
improved public understanding of aquaculture, its diversity, and
potential benefits and risks. The 2021 update of this document retains
these objectives and will serve to communicate federal aquaculture
science priorities to the public.
The Science Planning Task Force updated the 2014-2019 Plan and is
seeking public comment to determine if Federal aquaculture research
opportunities and priorities are adequately reflected in the Plan. The
Plan in its entirety is available at: <a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/SCA/taskforce.html">https://www.ars.usda.gov/SCA/taskforce.html</a>.
Similarly, in February 2019, the SCA established a Regulatory
Efficiency Task Force charged with developing a new plan for
interagency science and technology coordination to improve regulatory
efficiency, research and technology development, and economic growth.
This Task Force included federal employees from the Department of
Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Health and Human
Services, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, the
Environmental Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of Engineers. The
Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture was
drafted with the following goals:
Goal 1. Improve Efficiencies in Aquaculture Permitting and
Authorization Programs;
Goal 2. Implement a National Approach to Aquatic Animal Health
Management of Aquaculture; and
Goal 3. Refine and Disseminate Tools for Aquaculture Regulatory
Management.
The Regulatory Efficiency Task Force developed these new plans and
is seeking public comment to determine if opportunities to improve
Federal regulatory efficiencies are adequately reflected in the Plan.
The Plan in its entirety is available at: <a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/SCA/taskforce.html">https://www.ars.usda.gov/SCA/taskforce.html</a>.
The NAA of 1980 requires, in revising the Plan, that the Secretary
of Agriculture consult with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary
of the Interior, other appropriate Federal officers, States, regional
fishery management councils established under [the Magnuson-Stevens
Act], and representatives of the aquaculture industry. In addition, the
Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to give interested persons
and organizations an opportunity to comment during the development of
the Plan. The NADP is required to include all the elements listed in
National Aquaculture Act of 1980; and additionally, identify legal/
regulatory constraints and solutions, specifically use rights. The main
elements of the NADP are described in Sec. 2303(b)(1) through (6) of
the National Aquaculture Act of 1980.
The SCA believes that much of the required content of the NADP was
developed either within the former JSA, the current SCA, or
individually by agencies throughout the 37 years the plan has been in
effect. As described in this notice, significant efforts are underway
to develop strategic plans on science and regulatory efficiency.
Additional work is being done by the SCA to develop similar analyses
for economic development through aquaculture. The SCA concluded that
the effort to begin updating the NADP should only begin once the SCA
has concluded their work on public engagement and publishing of the
strategic plans. It is expected that these plans will include updates
of a significant number of the elements in the NADP.
All comments received will become a matter of public record.
Simon Y. Liu,
Acting Administrator, ARS.
[FR Doc. 2021-16711 Filed 8-4-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P
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