2021-05834. Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the Beringia and Okhotsk Distinct Population Segments of the Bearded Seal; Extension of Information Request Period

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice; extension of information request period.

SUMMARY:

NMFS hereby extends the information request period on the notice of initiation of a 5-year review of the Beringia and Okhotsk distinct population segments (DPSs) of the Pacific bearded seal subspecies Erignathus barbatus nauticus under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

DATES:

Information must be received by May 25, 2021. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your information, identified by docket number NOAA-NMFS-2020-0030, by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic information via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2020-0030 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your submission of information.
• Mail: Submit written information to Jon Kurland, Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Records Office. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.

Instructions: NMFS may not consider submissions of information if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the comment period ends. All submissions of information received are a part of the public record and NMFS will post the submissions for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous submissions of information (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tammy Olson, NMFS Alaska Region, 907-271-2373, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 13, 2021, we announced the initiation of a 5-year review of the Beringia and Okhotsk DPSs of the bearded seal under the ESA (86 FR 2648). As a part of that notice, we solicited information relevant to the review and announced a 60-day information request period to end on March 26, 2021. NMFS received two requests to extend the information request period to May 25, 2021, in order to provide additional time to gather relevant information and prepare submissions in a thorough manner. We are therefore extending the close of the information request period to May 25, 2021, as requested, to provide additional time for public input.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

Dated: March 16, 2021.

Angela Somma,

Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.