Notices. Notice; intent to prepare an environmental impact statement; request for written comments

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BILLING CODE 3510-D5-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE57 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fisheries in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare an environmental impact statement; request for written comments. SUMMARY: NMFS, in consultation with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), announces its intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

(SEIS)on revisions to Steller sea lion protection measures, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The proposed action is to revise the Steller sea lion protection measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

(BSAI)and the Gulf of Alaska

(GOA)groundfish fisheries. The scope of the SEIS will be to determine the impacts to the human environment resulting from modifications to the existing protection measures. NMFS will accept written comments from the public to determine the issues of concern and the appropriate range of management alternatives to be addressed in the SEIS. DATES: Written comments must be received by April 21, 2008. ADDRESSES: Written comments on issues and alternatives for the SEIS should be sent to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Comments may be submitted by • E-mail: *SSL-SEISM@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line the following document identifier: SSL SEIS. E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes; • Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802; • Hand Delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK; or • Fax: 907-586-7557. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Harrington,

(907)586-7228 or *gretchen.harrington@noaa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the United States has exclusive fishery management authority over all living marine resources found within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The management of these marine resources, with the exception of certain marine mammals and birds, is vested in the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). The Council has the responsibility to prepare fishery management plans for those marine resources off Alaska requiring conservation and management. Management of the Federal groundfish fishery located off Alaska in the EEZ is carried out under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMPs). These FMPs, their amendments, and implementing regulations (found at 50 CFR part 679) are developed in accordance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable Federal laws and executive orders, notably NEPA and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Council is considering revising the Steller sea lion protection measures for the groundfish fisheries based on new information available regarding the potential interactions between Steller sea lions and groundfish fisheries. NMFS and the Council have determined that the preparation of an SEIS may be required for this action because revisions to the groundfish fishery regulations to protect Steller sea lions may result in significant impacts on the human environment not previously analyzed in the Final SEIS for Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures (November 2001). Thus, NMFS, in consultation with the Council, is initiating scoping for an SEIS in the event that an SEIS is needed. NMFS is seeking information from the public through the SEIS scoping process on the range of alternatives to be analyzed; and on the environmental, social, and economic issues to be considered in the analysis. Written comments generated during this scoping process will be shared with the Council and incorporated into the SEIS. The SEIS would be integrated with the related ESA documents that have been or are being prepared to address Steller sea lion issues to avoid redundancy, while providing a decision-making document that analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed action and its alternatives on the human environment. Related ESA documents (biological assessments, biological opinions, and a draft recovery plan) and background information are available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at *http://stellersealions.noaa.gov/* . The SEIS on revisions to Steller sea lion protection measures will supplement the Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures Final SEIS (November 2001), which is available on the NMFS Alaska Region website at *http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/seis/sslpm/default.htm* . The preferred alternative for Steller sea lions protection measures in the 2001 SEIS was the area and fishery specific approach, which allowed for different protection measures specific to the type of fishery in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and Gulf of Alaska. NMFS implemented the current protection measures in 2003 (68 FR 204, January 2, 2003). This approach was a precautionary response to concerns about Steller sea lions and was intended to reduce the economic impact of the protection measures on participants in the groundfish fisheries. The protection measures in the preferred alternative were determined to neither jeopardize the continued existence of Steller sea lions nor adversely modify their designated critical habitat. Further, this approach met the Magnuson-Stevens Act mandates, especially with regards to safety at sea, minimizing bycatch, minimizing impacts to fishing communities, and attaining optimum yield. Steller sea lion protection measures for the groundfish fishery currently include

(1)global harvest controls for Steller sea lion prey species (pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel);

(2)spatial harvest controls specific to prey species, gear type, and proximity to rookery, haulout, or forage areas to limit prey species removal in an area;

(3)temporal harvest controls for pollock, Pacific cod, and Atka mackerel, including seasonal apportionments to limit prey species removal during certain times of the year; and

(4)a vessel monitoring system requirement for all vessels (except vessels using jig gear) fishing for pollock, Pacific cod, or Atka mackerel. Proposed Action The proposed action is to revise the Steller sea lion protection measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries based on new information available regarding the potential interactions between Steller sea lions and groundfish fisheries. The purpose of the proposed action is to maintain adequate protection for Steller sea lions to avoid jeopardy of extinction and destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat under the ESA, while minimizing to the extent practicable the impacts to the fishing industry and coastal communities that result from complying with the protection measures. The revisions are necessary to ensure the best scientific information available is used to:

(1)ensure the fisheries are not likely to result in jeopardy of extinction and destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat;

(2)alleviate any unnecessary restrictions for the fleet to improve efficiency and ensure economic viability for the industry; and

(3)minimize potential adverse economic impacts on coastal communities. Alternatives The SEIS will evaluate a range of alternative management measures for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish fisheries. The Council's Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee (SSLMC) is reviewing the latest scientific information regarding Steller sea lions and potential groundfish fisheries interactions and developing alternative Steller sea lion protection measures. The SSLMC has collected proposals from the public for changes to the Steller sea lion protection measures and is scheduled to evaluate and prioritize these proposals for Council consideration in June 2008. After Council consideration, the Council may recommend management measures to the Secretary for evaluation and implementation. Information regarding the SSLMC and the proposal evaluation process is available from the Alaska Region website at *http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/sslmc/default.htm* . Alternatives may include those identified here, and those developed through public scoping, Council, and SSLMC processes. Possible alternatives could include one, or a combination of, the following: 1.No action - retain the current suite of Steller sea lion protection measures as are currently in place for fishing year 2008. 2.Change the current spatial management of the Atka mackerel, pollock, or Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA and/or BSAI by opening or closing areas near Steller sea lion rookeries, haulouts, and/or foraging areas. 3.Change the current temporal management of harvests in the GOA and/or BSAI Atka mackerel, pollock, and/or Pacific cod fisheries. 4.Change other management measures that currently apply to the GOA and/or BSAI Atka mackerel, pollock, and/or Pacific cod fisheries, such as changes to gear restrictions or the Aleutian Islands platoon management system for Atka mackerel. Preliminary Identification of Issues A principal objective of the scoping and public input process is to identify potentially significant impacts to the human environment that should be analyzed in the SEIS. The analysis will evaluate the effects of the alternatives for all resources, species, and issues that may directly or indirectly interact with Steller sea lions and the groundfish fisheries within the action area. The primary issues to be analyzed are the effects of the proposed action and its alternatives on Steller sea lions and their designated critical habitat. Additional impacts to the following components of the biological and physical environment may be evaluated:

(1)other species listed under the ESA and their critical habitat, and other species protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act;

(2)target and non-target fish stocks, including forage fish and prohibited species;

(3)seabirds; and

(4)the ecosystem. Social and economic impacts also would be considered in terms of the effects that changes in the Steller sea lion protection measures would have on the following groups of individuals:

(1)those who participate in harvesting the groundfish resources;

(2)those who process and market groundfish and groundfish products;

(3)those who consume groundfish products;

(4)those who rely on living marine resources in the management area, particularly Steller sea lions, for subsistence needs;

(5)those who benefit from non-consumptive uses of Steller sea lions and other living marine resources; and

(6)fishing communities. Public Involvement Scoping is an early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed in an Environmental Impact Statement and for identifying the significant issues related to the proposed action. A principal objective of the scoping and public involvement process is to identify a reasonable range of management alternatives that, with adequate analysis, will delineate critical issues and provide a clear basis for distinguishing between those alternatives and for selecting a preferred alternative. Through this notice, NMFS is notifying the public that an SEIS and decision-making process for this proposed action has been initiated so that interested or affected people may participate and contribute to the final decision. NMFS is seeking written public comments on the scope of issues, including potential impacts, and alternatives that should be considered in revising the Steller sea lion protection measures. Written comments will be accepted at the address above (see ADDRESSES ). Written comments should be as specific as possible to be the most helpful. Written comments received during the scoping process, including the names and addresses of those submitting them, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal and will be available for public inspection. The public is invited to participate in the SSLMC meetings and Council meetings where the latest scientific information regarding Steller sea lions and fisheries interactions are being reviewed and alternative protection measures are being developed and evaluated. Future Council and SSLMC meetings will be noticed in the **Federal Register** and on the website at *http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/* . Additional information regarding regulatory, ESA, and NEPA activities for Steller sea lions is available at the website at *http://stellersealions.noaa.gov* . Please visit this website for more information on this SEIS and for guidance on submitting effective public comments. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* Dated: December 18, 2007. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-24951 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XD93 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for written comments. SUMMARY: NMFS, in consultation with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)on salmon bycatch reduction measures in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The proposed action would replace the current Chinook and Chum Salmon Savings Areas in the BSAI with new regulatory closures, salmon bycatch limits, or a combination of both. These management measures could incorporate current or new bycatch reduction methods. The scope of the EIS will be to determine the impacts to the human environment resulting from these salmon bycatch reduction measures. NMFS will accept written comments from the public to determine the issues of concern and the appropriate range of management alternatives for analysis in the EIS. DATES: Written comments must be received by February 15, 2008. ADDRESSES: Written comments on issues and alternatives for the EIS should be sent to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Comments may be submitted by • E-mail: *0648-AW25-SalmonBycatchEIS@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line the following document identifier: Salmon Bycatch EIS. E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes; • Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802; • Hand Delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK; or • Fax: 907-586-7557. All Personal Identifying Information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe portable document file

(pdf)formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Anderson,

(907)586-7228 or *jason.anderson@noaa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the United States has exclusive fishery management authority over all living marine resources found within the exclusive economic zone. The management of these marine resources, with the exception of certain marine mammals and birds, is vested in the Secretary of Commerce. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has the responsibility to prepare fishery management plans for those marine resources off Alaska requiring conservation and management. Management of the Federal groundfish fishery in the BSAI is carried out under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). The FMP, its amendments, and implementing regulations (found at 50 CFR part 679) are developed in accordance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable Federal laws and executive orders, notably the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA)and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Council is considering replacing the current Chinook and Chum Salmon Savings Areas in the BSAI with new regulatory closures, salmon bycatch limits, or a combination of both. These management measures could incorporate current or new bycatch reduction methods. NMFS and the Council have determined the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)may be required for this action because some important aspects of the impacts of salmon bycatch in the BSAI on the salmon stocks of origin and users of these salmon are uncertain or unknown and may result in significant impacts on the human environment not previously analyzed. Thus, NMFS and the Council are initiating scoping for an EIS in the event that an EIS is needed. NMFS and the Council are seeking information from the public through the EIS scoping process on the range of alternatives to be analyzed, and on the environmental, social, and economic issues to be considered in the analysis. Written comments generated during this scoping process will be provided to the Council and incorporated into the EIS. Chinook and Chum Salmon Savings Areas To address Chinook salmon bycatch concerns, the Council adopted several management measures designed to reduce overall Chinook salmon bycatch in the BSAI trawl fisheries. In 1995, the Council adopted, and NMFS approved, Amendment 21b to the FMP. Based on historic information on salmon bycatch, Amendment 21b established a Chinook Salmon Savings Area (60 FR 61215, November 29, 1995). Under Amendment 21b, the Chinook Salmon Savings Area closed when the bycatch of Chinook salmon in BSAI trawl fisheries reached 48,000 fish. Amendment 58 to the FMP revised the Chinook Salmon Savings Area measures (65 FR 60587, October 12, 2000). Amendment 58 reduced the Chinook salmon bycatch limit from 48,000 fish to 29,000 fish, mandated year-round accounting of Chinook bycatch in the directed pollock fishery, revised the boundaries of the Chinook Salmon Savings Area closure, and implemented new closure dates. The Council also adopted a time-area closure designed to reduce overall non-Chinook salmon bycatch in the BSAI trawl fisheries. In 1995, Amendment 35 to the FMP established the Chum Salmon Savings Area (60 FR 34904, July 5, 1995). This area is closed to all trawling from August 1 through August 31 of each year. Additionally, if 42,000 non-Chinook salmon are caught in the Catcher Vessel Operational Area during the period August 15 through October 14, the area remains closed for the remainder of the calendar year. The Chinook and Chum Salmon Savings Areas were adopted based on historic observed salmon bycatch rates and were designed to avoid high spatial and temporal levels of salmon bycatch. From 1990 through 2001, the BSAI salmon bycatch average was 37,819 Chinook and 69,332 non-Chinook annually. Recently, however, salmon bycatch numbers have increased substantially. The numbers of Chinook and non-Chinook salmon bycatch in the BSAI groundfish fisheries from 2003 through December 7, 2007, are shown in the following table: Year Number of Chinook Number of non-Chinook 2003 55,422 197,287 2004 63,188 457,817 2005 74,967 711,938 2006 87,730 326,445 2007 through December 7 130,246 97,904 NMFS and the Council are concerned with this level of salmon bycatch because of the potential negative impacts on salmon stocks in general, and on western Alaska salmon stocks in particular. Recent Salmon Bycatch Management Measures To address these increasing salmon bycatch amounts, the Council adopted, and NMFS implemented on October 29, 2007, Amendment 84 to the FMP (72 FR 61070, October 29, 2007). Spatial and temporal comparisons of non-community development quota

(CDQ)vessels fishing outside of the salmon savings areas with CDQ vessels fishing inside of the salmon savings areas indicated that salmon bycatch rates were much higher outside of the savings areas, and closures were displacing vessels to higher bycatch areas. Amendment 84 exempts non-CDQ and CDQ pollock vessels participating in a salmon bycatch reduction inter-cooperative agreement

(ICA)from closures of the Chinook and Chum Salmon Savings Areas in the BSAI. Additionally, vessels participating in trawl fisheries for species other than pollock are exempt from Chum Salmon Savings Area Closures The purpose of the salmon bycatch avoidance ICA is to use real-time salmon bycatch information to avoid areas of high non-Chinook and Chinook salmon bycatch rates. The ICA utilizes a system of base bycatch rates, assignment of vessels to tiers based on bycatch rates relative to the base rate, a system of closures for vessels in certain tiers, and monitoring and enforcement through private contractual arrangements. Amendment 84 was adopted by the Council because it was perceived to be relatively simple to implement, with the potential to reduce salmon bycatch rates. Meanwhile, the Council also initiated analysis on this proposed action to further address salmon bycatch issues, and provide additional management measures should ICA members choose not to participate in the ICA in the future. Proposed Action The proposed action is to replace the current Chinook and Chum Salmon Savings Areas in the BSAI with new regulatory closures, salmon bycatch limits, or a combination of both based on current salmon bycatch information. These management measures could incorporate current or new bycatch reduction methods. The purpose of the proposed action is to minimize non-Chinook and Chinook salmon bycatch to the extent practicable. The proposed action is necessary to maintain a healthy marine ecosystem, ensure long-term conservation and abundance of salmon, provide maximum benefit to fishermen and communities that depend on these resources, and comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Alternative Management Measures NMFS, in consultation with the Council, will evaluate a range of alternative management measures for the BSAI groundfish fisheries. The Council's Salmon Bycatch Workgroup is reviewing the latest scientific information regarding the impacts of salmon interactions with groundfish fisheries and developing alternative salmon bycatch reduction measures. Alternatives may be formulated based on the elements identified here, and those developed through the public scoping and Council processes. Possible alternatives could be constructed from one or more of the following measures: 1.Prohibited Species Catch

(PSC)limit Establish a PSC limit for non-Chinook and Chinook salmon bycatch in the CDQ and non-CDQ pollock fisheries. PSC limits could be allocated among pollock fishery sectors or fishery cooperatives. Fishery participants would be required to stop fishing when a PSC limit is reached. 2.Fixed closures Establish one or more salmon savings area closures based on current salmon bycatch information. These closures would occur on an annual or seasonal basis regardless of salmon bycatch amounts at the time of the closure. 3.Triggered closures Establish one or more salmon savings area closures based on current salmon bycatch information. These closures would occur based on criteria evaluated in the EIS. Criteria could include a threshold salmon bycatch number or rate. 4.PSC accounting period Revise the current PSC accounting period to coincide with the salmon biological year to provide additional protections to salmon in the BSAI. Accounting would begin annually in the “B” season, and continue through the following “A” season. Additionally, the Council may incorporate the current or a new version of the salmon bycatch reduction ICA into one or more alternatives. Preliminary Identification of Issues A principal objective of the scoping and public input process is to identify potentially significant impacts to the human environment that should be analyzed in the EIS. The analysis will evaluate the impacts of the alternatives for all resources, species, and issues that may be directly or indirectly affected by salmon bycatch in the BSAI pollock fisheries. The following components of the biological and physical environment may be evaluated:

(1)target and non-target fish stocks, forage fish, and prohibited species, including salmon species;

(2)species listed under the ESA and their critical habitat;

(3)seabirds;

(4)marine mammals; and

(5)the ecosystem. Social and economic impacts also would be considered in terms of the effects that changes to salmon bycatch management measures would have on the following groups of individuals:

(1)those who participate in harvesting pollock;

(2)those who process and market pollock and pollock products;

(3)those who consume pollock products;

(4)those who rely on living marine resources caught in the management area, particularly salmon;

(5)those who benefit from commercial, subsistence, and recreational salmon fisheries; and

(6)fishing communities. Public Involvement Scoping is an early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed in an EIS and for identifying the significant issues related to the proposed action. A principal objective of the scoping and public involvement process is to identify a range of reasonable of management alternatives that, with adequate analysis, will delineate critical issues and provide a clear basis for distinguishing among those alternatives and selecting a preferred alternative. Through this notice, NMFS is notifying the public that an EIS and decision-making process for this proposed action have been initiated so that interested or affected people may participate and contribute to the final decision. NMFS is seeking written public comments on the scope of issues, including potential impacts, and alternatives that should be considered in revising salmon bycatch management measures. Written comments will be accepted at the address above (see ADDRESSES ). Written comments should be as specific as possible to be the most helpful. Written comments received during the scoping process, including the names and addresses of those submitting them, will be considered part of the public record of this proposal and will be available for public inspection. The public is invited to participate and provide input at Council and Salmon Bycatch Workgroup meetings where the latest scientific information regarding salmon bycatch in the BSAI groundfish fisheries is reviewed and alternative salmon bycatch reduction measures are developed and evaluated. Notice of future Council and Salmon Bycatch Workgroup meetings will be published in the **Federal Register** and on the Internet at *http://www.fakr.gov* . Please visit this website for more information on this EIS and for guidance on submitting effective public comments. Dated: December 18, 2007. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-24953 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XD61 Marine Mammals; File No. 10080 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Kathryn A. Ono, Department of Biological Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, has been issued a permit to conduct research on marine mammals. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; and Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9394. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Jaclyn Daly, (301)713-2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 26, 2007, notice was published in the **Federal Register** (72 FR 60822) that a request for a permit to conduct scientific research on harbor seals ( *Phoca vitulina concolor* ) and grey seals ( *Halichoerus grypus* ) in the Gulf of Maine had been submitted by the above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The permit authorizes capture, sampling, and marking activities related to:

(1)assessing the state of harbor seal population health;

(2)determining movement and diving patterns of weaned harbor seal pups;

(3)comparing disease loads, survival, and behavior of rehabilitated harbor seal pups with wild pups; and

(4)assessing behavior, population dynamics, and health of grey seals. The permit expires on December 31, 2012. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ), a final determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Dated: December 18, 2007. Patrick Opay, Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-24942 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE37 Marine Mammals; File No. 473-1700 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for amendment. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Janice Straley, University of Alaska, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, Alaska 99835, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 473-1700-01. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before January 25, 2008. ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; and Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249. Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular amendment request would be appropriate. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427-2521, provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is *NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: File No. 473-1700. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Daly or Amy Sloan, (301)713-2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 473-1700-01 is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226). Permit No. 473-1700 was issued to the applicant on June 20, 2004 (69 FR 44514). A minor amendment (No. 473-1700-01) was issued on December 4, 2005 and remains valid through June 30, 2009. The current permit authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on humpback whales ( *Megaptera novaeangliae* ), gray whales ( *Eschrichtius robustus* ) , minke whales ( *Balaenoptera acustorostrata* ), sperm whales ( *Physeter macrocephalus* ) , fin whales ( *Balaenoptera physalus* ), and killer whales ( *Orcinus orca* ). Incidental harassment of harbor porpoise ( *Phocoena phocoena* ), Dall's porpoise ( *P. dalli* ), Atlantic white-sided dolphins ( *Lagenorhynchus obliquidens* ), Steller sea lions ( *Eumetopias jubatus* ), harbor seals ( *Phoca vitulina* ) and Northern fur seals ( *Callorhinus ursinus* ) is also authorized. Research methods include photo-identification, passive acoustic recording, behavioral observations, suction-cup tagging (including Crittercam), and biopsy. The permit holder requests authorization to increase the number of sperm whales that may be suction-cup tagged to 50 (an increase of 25 animals), attach satellite tags to 20 sperm whales and 20 killer whales, and modify operations of fishing vessel methods which could result in the taking of 40 sperm whales by Level B harassment. All research would be conducted in the Gulf of Alaska. The permit amendment would be effective until the permit expiration date. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** , NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: December 18, 2007. Patrick Opay, Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-24944 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648-XE58 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. SUMMARY: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Fishery Management Action Team

(FMAT)will hold a public meeting regarding Amendment 15 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Four Points Sheraton, 407 Squire Rd., Revere, MA 02151; telephone:

(781)284-7200). *Council address* : Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; 300 S. New Street, Room 2115, Dover, DE 19904, telephone:

(302)674-2331. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel T. Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; 300 S. New Street, Room 2115, Dover, DE 19904, telephone:

(302)674-2331, extension 19. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this meeting is to initiate work on Amendment 15 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 15 will be a comprehensive document which addresses issues relevant to the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Bryan at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office,

(302)674-2331 extension 18, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: December 19, 2007. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-24916 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648-XE59 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold a work session, which is open to the public. DATES: The work session will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15 and from 8:30 a.m. until the business of the meeting is finished on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. ADDRESSES: The work session will be held at the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Large Conference Room, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, telephone:

(858)546-7000. *Council address* : Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220-1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kit Dahl, Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone:

(503)820-2280. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The HMSMT will discuss two major topics:

(1)developing a range of alternatives for a limited entry program to allow a shallow-set longline fishery, which targets swordfish, to be prosecuted on the high seas from the West Coast and

(2)a draft report on Council recommendations in response to overfishing of Eastern Pacific yellowfin tuna, as required by Section 304(i) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Council is scheduled to take up both these issues at their March 2008, meeting in Sacramento, CA. Time permitting, the HMSMT may discuss additional items to include PacFIN/RecFIN data issues and preparation of the Highly Migratory Species Stock Assessment Fishery Evaluation

(SAFE)report. Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda may be discussed, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any issues arising after publication of this document that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter at

(503)820-2280 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.* Dated: December 19, 2007. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-24917 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648-XE60 Fisheries of the South Atlantic; South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Limited Access Privilege

(LAP)Program Exploratory Workgroup. SUMMARY: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold meetings of its LAP Program Exploratory Workgroup in North Charleston, SC. DATES: The meetings will take place January 15-16, 2008 and February 12-13, 2008. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Charleston Airport, 5265 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29418; telephone:

(877)782-9444 or

(843)308-9330; fax:

(843)308-9331. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Iverson, Public Information Officer, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; telephone:

(843)571-4366 or toll free

(866)SAFMC-10; fax:

(843)769-4520; email: *kim.iverson@safmc.net* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the LAP Program Exploratory Workgroup will meet from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. on January 15, 2008, and from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. on January 16, 2008. The Workgroup will also meet from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. on February 12, 2008 and from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on February 13, 2008. These meetings are being convened to address issues relevant to the Council's consideration of implementing a Limited Access Privilege Program

(LAP)for the commercial snapper grouper fishery in the South Atlantic region. Items for discussion by the Workgroup January 15-16, 2008 include:

(1)Analyses completed on initial allocation methodologies for several economically important species and

(2)Preferred ownership caps for various species. Items for discussion by the Workgroup February 12-13, 2008 include:

(1)Sector allocation programs, cooperatives, ownership of LAPs by regional fishery associations and communities and 2) Finalization of the LAP Workgroup Working Document. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES ) 3 days prior to the meetings. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Dated: December 19, 2007. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-24918 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No.: PTO-P-2007-0049] Change in Publication Format of Patent and Trademark Office Notices and Changes in Display of Patent and Trademark Office Notices in Electronic Official Gazette AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is discontinuing the separate weekly publication in paper form of Patent and Trademark Office notices, and the annual publication in paper form of the consolidated listing of notices pertaining to USPTO practices and procedures. In addition, notice is hereby given that the weekly electronic Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office—Patents (the eOG:P) will display the Patent and Trademark Office notices with volume/page numbers, and the last weekly eOG:P of each calendar year will include the annual publication of consolidated notices pertaining to USPTO practices and procedures. DATES: The last separate weekly publication in paper form of Patent and Trademark Office notices will be December 25, 2007. The last annual publication in paper form of the consolidated listing of notices pertaining to USPTO practices and procedures will be December 25, 2007. Volume/page numbers will be displayed in the notices in the weekly eOG:P beginning January 1, 2008. The first annual publication in the eOG:P of the consolidated notices pertaining to USPTO practices and procedures will be December 30, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic Information Products Division at

(571)272-5600 or e-mail at *IPD@uspto.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 35 U.S.C. 10 and the Presidential E-Government Initiatives to utilize technology in ways that will improve how Federal Agencies serve the public, the USPTO will begin electronically publishing the weekly Patent and Trademark Office notices in 2008. The separate weekly publication in paper form of the Patent and Trademark Office notices will be discontinued after December 25, 2007. In the period since the last paper version of the weekly Official Gazette on September 24, 2002, the separate weekly paper publication of the notices has shown the notices with volume/page numbers while the display of the notices in the weekly eOG:P has not. Beginning January 1, 2008, the volume/page numbers that have been shown in the separate weekly paper publication of the notices will be carried forward to the notices as they are displayed in the weekly eOG:P. The presence of volume/page numbers in the notices as they are displayed in the weekly eOG:P will enhance the readability of the electronic notices and will facilitate citations of them. As with the weekly Patent and Trademark Office notices, the annual publication of the consolidated listing of notices pertaining to USPTO practices and procedures will occur electronically, not in paper, beginning in 2008. The last listing of consolidated notices in paper form will be published December 25, 2007. Thereafter the last weekly eOG:P of each calendar year will include the consolidated listing of notices pertaining to USPTO practices and procedures. The first such annual publication of the consolidated notices in the eOG:P will take place December 30, 2008. The eOG:P displaying the weekly notices with volume/page numbers will be available on the USPTO Web site at *http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog* each Tuesday beginning January 1, 2008. The first annual publication in the eOG:P of the consolidated notices pertaining to USPTO practices and procedures will be available on the USPTO Web site at *http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog* on December 30, 2008. The eOG:P on CD-ROM with the above-described changes will be published and distributed close to issue date. The eOG:P CD-ROM product with the above-described changes will be available from the Information Products Division, Chief Information Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, as an annual subscription for $460 per year and as single copies for $20 per issue. Dated: December 18, 2007. Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. E7-24961 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-16-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [Transmittal No. 08-29] 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification AGENCY: Department of Defense, Defense Security Cooperation Agency. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated 21 July 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. B. English, DSCA/DBO/CFM,

(703)601-3740. The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittals 08-29 with attached transmittal, policy justification, and Sensitivity of Technology. Dated: December 18, 2007 L.M. Bynum, OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. BILLING CODE 5001-01-M EN26DE07.033 EN26DE07.034 EN26DE07.035 EN26DE07.037 [FR Doc. 07-6150 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am]

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