Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Northeast Skate Complex; Withdrawal of the Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 5
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Issuing agencies
Abstract
The New England Fishery Management Council initiated development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan in 2016. A notice of intent to develop an environmental impact statement for this action was published in January 2017, followed by a second notice and round of scoping in late December 2020. However, in September 2021, the Council voted to discontinue work on Amendment 5 and pursue the remaining alternatives through newly initiated Framework Adjustment 9. The remaining alternatives in this framework are largely administrative and not expected to have significant impacts on the fishery or human environment. Therefore, NMFS is withdrawing the notice of intent and no longer intends to prepare an environmental impact statement.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 219 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 64186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25094]
[[Page 64186]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB541]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Northeast Skate Complex; Withdrawal of the Notice of Intent
To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 5
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of withdrawal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council initiated
development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery
Management Plan in 2016. A notice of intent to develop an environmental
impact statement for this action was published in January 2017,
followed by a second notice and round of scoping in late December 2020.
However, in September 2021, the Council voted to discontinue work on
Amendment 5 and pursue the remaining alternatives through newly
initiated Framework Adjustment 9. The remaining alternatives in this
framework are largely administrative and not expected to have
significant impacts on the fishery or human environment. Therefore,
NMFS is withdrawing the notice of intent and no longer intends to
prepare an environmental impact statement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Ferrio, Fishery Policy
Analyst, (978) 281-9180.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2016, the New England Fishery Management
Council initiated development of Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate
Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to consider limited access in the
skate fishery. The Council published a notice of intent (NOI) to
develop an environmental impact statement (EIS) for this amendment, in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, to analyze the
impacts of any proposed management measures (82 FR 825; January 4,
2017). Throughout this initial development and scoping process, the
range of proposed alternatives changed. A second NOI was published (85
FR 84304; December 28, 2020), and additional scoping hearings were held
in 2021.
The comments received throughout the development process during
both rounds of scoping hearings, and at multiple Skate Advisory Panel,
Skate Committee, and Council meetings, were mixed in support of, and
opposition to, limiting access to the skate fishery. Ultimately, after
careful consideration of the public comments received and extensive
examination of the alternatives analyzed, the Council voted to no
longer develop limited access alternatives in Amendment 5 at its April
2021 meeting. Further, at its meeting in September 2021, the Council
voted to discontinue work on Amendment 5 completely and to pursue the
remaining alternatives addressing changes to permit provisions and
clarifying the FMP goals and objectives through the newly initiated
Framework Adjustment 9. Framework 9 is expected to be implemented in
mid-2022.
These remaining alternatives that will be considered in Framework 9
are largely administrative and are not expected to have significant
impacts on the fishery or affected environment. Consequently, the
Council and NMFS have determined that it is not necessary to prepare an
EIS for Framework 9 and will instead continue development of the
remaining framework alternatives with an appropriate NEPA document.
Therefore, NMFS is informing the public that work on Amendment 5 is
complete, and that we are withdrawing the NOI and draft EIS from
further consideration.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25094 Filed 11-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.