[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 63518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31315]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 101497D]
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing
Operations; Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan
Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Extension of public comment period.
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SUMMARY: On November 4, 1997, NMFS published a notice of availability
of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the alternatives being
considered for implementation of the Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take
Reduction Plan. NMFS is hereby extending the public comment period for
an additional 30 days.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 4, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft EA or the draft Atlantic Offshore
Cetacean Take Reduction Plan may be obtained from Chief, Marine Mammal
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910, or by calling (301) 713-2322.
Written comments should be submitted to Chief, Marine Mammal
Division, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910, fax: 301/713-2322.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Cornish, Office of Protected
Resources, (301) 713-2322.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 4, 1997, NMFS published a notice
of availability of a draft EA on the alternatives being considered for
implementation of the Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan.
The notice indicated that comments must be received on or before
December 4, 1997.
NMFS has since received a request to extend the public comment
period for an additional 30 days. This request is made because at least
2 members of the Atlantic Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Team will be
out of the country for a large portion of the public comment period and
would be unable to sufficiently review and comment on the EA. NMFS
agrees that the current public comment period is not long enough to
allow for sufficient public comment in lieu of other previous
commitments by members of the team.
NMFS hereby extends the public comment period for an additional 30
days, until January 4, 1998.
Dated: November 24, 1997.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-31315 Filed 11-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 31315-22-F
