2014-08729. Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries Regulations on Introduced Species

AGENCY:

Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION:

Re-opening of public comment period.

SUMMARY:

On March 18, 2013 (78 FR 16622), NOAA proposed to prohibit the introduction of introduced species into the state waters of Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries (GFNMS and MBNMS, respectively). On March 27, 2014 (79 FR 17073) NOAA proposed to amend the March 2013 proposed rule to allow GFNMS and MBNMS to authorize certain introduced species of shellfish from commercial mariculture projects in all state waters of the sanctuaries. The comment period on this amendment closed on April 11, 2014. In response to significant public interest in this amended proposed action, NOAA is re-opening the public comment period until May 5, 2014.

DATES:

NOAA will accept public comments on the proposed rule published at 79 FR 17073 (March 27, 2014) through May 5, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NOS-2012-0113, by any of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​NOAA-NOS-2012-0113,, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to Dave Lott, Regional Operations Coordinator, West Coast Region, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, 99 Pacific Street, STE100F, Monterey, CA 93940.

Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted 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 will be publicly accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous comments (enter“N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dave Lott, Regional Operations Coordinator, West Coast Region, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, 99 Pacific Street, STE100F, Monterey, CA 93940. 831-647-1920.

Dated: April 9, 2014.

Daniel J. Basta,

Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.