Notices. Reopening of comment period; schedule change
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/register/2002/10/03/02-25173A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 3510-GT-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 081902B] Draft Code of Conduct for Responsible Aquaculture in the U. S. Exclusive Economic Zone AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Reopening of comment period; schedule change. SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS)announces the reopening of the public comment period on a draft Code of Conduct for Responsible Aquaculture in the U. S. Exclusive Economic Zone (Code of Conduct). NMFS also announces a schedule change for the publication of a final Code of Conduct. DATES: NMFS will accept written comments on the draft Code of Conduct at the appropriate address or fax number until 5 p.m. on October 31, 2002. ADDRESSES: The draft Code of Conduct and the **Federal Register** Notice dated August 23, 2002 announcing its availability for public comment (67 FR 54644) are available on the NMFS Web site: *www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture.htm* . These documents will also be provided in hard copy upon request ( *see* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ). Comments on the Code of Conduct may be sent to Colin Nash, NMFS/WASC, P.O. Box 130, Manchester, WA 98353 or by fax to 206-842-8364. Comments may also be hand-delivered during business hours to: NMFS Manchester Research Station, 7305 Beach Drive East, Port Orchard, WA 98366-8204. Comments will not be accepted via telephone, e-mail, or internet. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Bunsick, 301-713-2334 Extension 102, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. You may also fax your request to 301-713-0596 or send an e-mail to: *Susan.Bunsick@noaa.gov* . Comments on the Code of Conduct will not be accepted at these contact points. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The draft Code of Conduct was released for public comment via **Federal Register** notice dated August 23, 2002 (67 FR 54644), with a 30-day comment period. NMFS is extending the comment period in response to numerous requests from the public indicating that a 30-day comment period does not allow sufficient time for stakeholders to provide their input into the preparation of the final document. The previous **Federal Register** notice provided a tentative time frame for the production of a Code of Conduct. To accommodate the longer comment period, the time frame for production of a final Code of Conduct has been revised as provided here. Time Frame August 23, 2002: Release draft Code of Conduct for public comment via posting of the document on the NMFS Web site ( *www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture.htm* ). The document will also be provided in hard copy upon request ( *see* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ). October 31, 2002: Public comment period on draft Code of Conduct ends.December 2002: Release final Code of Conduct via a **Federal Register** notice of availability and posting on the NMFS Web site ( *www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture.htm* ). The document will also be provided in hard copy upon request ( *see* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ). Dated: September 27, 2002. Virginia M. Fay, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 02-25173 Filed 10-2-02; 8:45 am]