Proposed Rules. Notice of public hearings

Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce
Action: Notice of public hearings
Citation: FR Doc. 2011-3882 · RIN 0648-XZ58 · Docket No. 101126591-0588-01 · 50 CFR 223

Summary

On December 10, 2010, we, NMFS, published a proposed rule to list the Beringia and Okhotsk Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of the bearded seal ( Erignathus barbatus ) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). As part of that proposal, we announced a public comment period to end on February 8, 2011, and then extended the comment period to March 25, 2011. NMFS has received requests for public hearings on this issue. In response, we announce that public hearings will be held at three locations in Alaska (Anchorage, Barrow, and Nome) to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input.

Dates

A hearing will be held on March 7, 2011, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Anchorage, and on March 22, 2011, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Barrow, AK. The date and time for a hearing in Nome will be announced in a forthcoming notice in the Federal Register . As previously noted, we will consider written comments received on or before March 25, 2011.

Supplementary Information

Background On December 10, 2010 (75 FR 77476), we published a proposed rule to list the Beringia and Okhotsk Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of the bearded seal as threatened under the ESA. Based on the status of these DPSs, we also proposed protective regulations pursuant to section 4(d) of the ESA for these DPSs to include all of the prohibitions in section 9(a)(1) of the ESA. The original due date for comments on these proposed actions (February 8, 2011) was extended to March 25, 2011 (76 FR 6754; February 8, 2011). Public Hearings Joint Commerce-Interior ESA implementing regulations state that the Secretary shall promptly hold at least one public hearing if any person requests one within 45 days of publication of a proposed regulation to list a species or to designate critical habitat ( see 50 CFR 424.16(c)(3)). In response to requests from various parties to hold public hearings in a number of locations in Alaska, we will hold three public hearings: one in Anchorage, one in Barrow, and one in Nome. We will accept oral and written comments on both the proposed rule for bearded seals and the proposed rule for ringed seals (75 FR 77476; December 10, 2010) during these hearings. People wishing to make an oral statement for the record at a public hearing are encouraged to provide a written copy of their statement and present it to us at the hearing. In the event that attendance at the public hearings is large, the time allotted for oral statements may be limited. Oral and written statements receive equal consideration. There are no limits on the length of written comments submitted to us. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1533 et seq. Dated: February 15, 2011. Helen Golde, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources. [FR Doc. 2011-3882 Filed 2-16-11; 4:15 pm]